Dao De Jing: Thematic Index of Verses

      There are four major themes evident in the teachings transmitted in the Dao De Jing.   The following index lists the relevant verses that fall under each of the four major thematic categories.  Due to the non-discursive manner in which the teachings of the Wisdom tradition are presented, verses can and often do appear in more than one of the four categories.

I.   The Cosmological theme of the Constant Way [chang dao] called “great” [da], which the processes of nature (Heaven and Earth) are said to “follow” [fa]:  DDJ 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 10, 14, 16, 21, 22, 23, 25, 29, 32, 34, 35, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 51, 55, 56, 62, 67, 73, 77, 78, 79, 81. 

II.  The Ecological theme of the Wisdom Way or “way of the sages” [sheng-ren zhi dao] that is modeled on the constant “balancing” pattern of the Great Way, as it is observed in the “Way of Heaven” (tian zhi dao) and “practiced” (wei dao) by those who teach the wei wuwei method of harmonizing human designs (wei) with the non-designed processes (wuwei) of the natural world:  3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 35, 39, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 59, 62, 63, 64, 67, 77, 80, 81. 

III. The Self-cultivation theme of higher attainment (shang de) through inner training leading to enlightened insight regarding the oneness of life and the necessity of caring for the world:  1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 33, 38, 41, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 64, 67, 71, 81.   

IV.  The Political Ecology theme, which treats the attempt by people of higher attainment (shang de) in the historical context of the late “Spring and Autumn” period of ancient Chinese history, to teach political rulers the meaning of “greatness” in governing:   3, 4, 5, 6. 7. 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 39, 42, 46, 48, 53, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68. 69, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79,