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The Dude De Ching
The Dude De Ching is an interpretation of the Tao Te Ching for followers of Dudeism. Dudeism is an authentic religion with over 150,000 ordained "Dudeist Priests." It is inspired mainly by Taoism and the Coen Brothers' 1998 film "The Big Lebowski." This funny and inspiring book of spiritual lessons will help you take it easy and abide in the face of any gutterballs that are thrown your way. Each verse is followed by the original Tao Te Ching (Peter Merel's interpolation) to help show the similarity between Dudeism and Taoism. Please visit Dudeism at to find out more. The Dude De Ching is illustrated by award-winning mystery novelist and cartoonist Colin Cotterill.
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 27, 2011
Okay, I'm a little biased. I wrote half the book. Not that I realised that was what I was doing at the time.
Twenty years ago I created a free translation of Lao Tzu following the guidance of various academics on the Australian National University’s Taoism-Studies-L list. After three years I released that under the GNU public license and called it the GNL, a play on the recursive GNU acronym “GNU’s Not Unix” meaning “GNL’s Not Lao”.
And I figured I was done with that. Three years is a long time for a short book.
These days here are a bunch of Chinese sites - chinapage.org is the best - that use the GNL as their translation. So when Oliver asked to put it in with his religious version I thought that was a very cool idea. And also traditional. See, part of the reason we have a Lao Tzu is because it was propagated by religious Taoism - "Tao Chiao". The other kind of taoism, Tao Chia which means philosophical Taoism, hid inside the religion because that was the best way to make certain the dynastic book burners couldn't destroy it. And they couldn't, which was cool too.
Now I've had 20 years to improve the translation over the version in the Dude De Ching. In the new one I actually translate the word "Tao". And not just as "Way" - which is how most translations cop out on it. Or as "Toe!", which is Oliver's jape. I'm blogging my new version right now at http://unlocktao.com and rolling it in a big fat wad of recent science. Not to hide it ... to hook it up. Lao Tzu yields a scientific but spiritual joint that puts Carl Sagan in the shade
The Dude De Ching is great fun, however, and I recommend it to anyone who owns a bathrobe and jelly slippers. Which I do, too.
Twenty years ago I created a free translation of Lao Tzu following the guidance of various academics on the Australian National University’s Taoism-Studies-L list. After three years I released that under the GNU public license and called it the GNL, a play on the recursive GNU acronym “GNU’s Not Unix” meaning “GNL’s Not Lao”.
And I figured I was done with that. Three years is a long time for a short book.
These days here are a bunch of Chinese sites - chinapage.org is the best - that use the GNL as their translation. So when Oliver asked to put it in with his religious version I thought that was a very cool idea. And also traditional. See, part of the reason we have a Lao Tzu is because it was propagated by religious Taoism - "Tao Chiao". The other kind of taoism, Tao Chia which means philosophical Taoism, hid inside the religion because that was the best way to make certain the dynastic book burners couldn't destroy it. And they couldn't, which was cool too.
Now I've had 20 years to improve the translation over the version in the Dude De Ching. In the new one I actually translate the word "Tao". And not just as "Way" - which is how most translations cop out on it. Or as "Toe!", which is Oliver's jape. I'm blogging my new version right now at http://unlocktao.com and rolling it in a big fat wad of recent science. Not to hide it ... to hook it up. Lao Tzu yields a scientific but spiritual joint that puts Carl Sagan in the shade
The Dude De Ching is great fun, however, and I recommend it to anyone who owns a bathrobe and jelly slippers. Which I do, too.
May 6, 2021
The Dudeist translation is hilarious and follows the poetic form of the original a lot of the time. I enjoy it. I also like the translation of the original text.
July 2, 2013
This book is a mixed bag. As an ordained Dudeist priest myself, I came into it with a positive outlook. I love The Big Lebowski, and those who don't really shouldn't waste their time on this, since every page will seem very foreign to them.
On one hand, some of the re-imagining of the Taoist verses were hilarious. Like a "laughing out loud while sitting on my couch" level-of-hilariousness. While others verses were just cringe-worthy levels of awful. I guess it just comes down to the fact that this book was very obviously a collaboration on the part of many Dudeists, and some of them are just funnier than others.
I found the verses that really didn't try to stick with the message of the original Taoist verse to be the funniest. These verses just kind of picked up the tempo or general tone of the verse and let their imagination run wild with connecting seemingly unrelated movie quotes in a mad-lib sort of style.
The ones that were not as good tried to maintain the original verse's message while using some of the ideas and symbols from the movie with less of an emphasis on using quotes. These felt forced, were unfunny, and at times seemed like the writer just didn't "get it".
The trouble was that out of 83 or so verses, you never knew which were going to be great and which were just going to suck. I guess it comes down to what you wanted out of them, really. I understood pretty early on that I wasn't going to take any life-changing insights away from this book, so I took my enjoyment from the more irreverent verses.
Finally, it was nice to have the original Tao in there alongside them, too. Having briefly studied Buddhism and Zen, it was my first exposure to the Tao Te Ching, and I found some of the verses to be very insightful.
But as they say: that's just, like, my opinion, man.
On one hand, some of the re-imagining of the Taoist verses were hilarious. Like a "laughing out loud while sitting on my couch" level-of-hilariousness. While others verses were just cringe-worthy levels of awful. I guess it just comes down to the fact that this book was very obviously a collaboration on the part of many Dudeists, and some of them are just funnier than others.
I found the verses that really didn't try to stick with the message of the original Taoist verse to be the funniest. These verses just kind of picked up the tempo or general tone of the verse and let their imagination run wild with connecting seemingly unrelated movie quotes in a mad-lib sort of style.
The ones that were not as good tried to maintain the original verse's message while using some of the ideas and symbols from the movie with less of an emphasis on using quotes. These felt forced, were unfunny, and at times seemed like the writer just didn't "get it".
The trouble was that out of 83 or so verses, you never knew which were going to be great and which were just going to suck. I guess it comes down to what you wanted out of them, really. I understood pretty early on that I wasn't going to take any life-changing insights away from this book, so I took my enjoyment from the more irreverent verses.
Finally, it was nice to have the original Tao in there alongside them, too. Having briefly studied Buddhism and Zen, it was my first exposure to the Tao Te Ching, and I found some of the verses to be very insightful.
But as they say: that's just, like, my opinion, man.
January 3, 2016
For those of you who are familiar with The Big Lebowski, you know it's a cult classic and, in my humble opinion at least, among the greatest movies of all time. It has, much like Star Wars, spawned its own religion too -- Dudeism -- which is based on the movie's main character, The Dude. Or His Dudeness.. or Duder.. or El Duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
Now, this book is, as it says on its cover, a "Dudeist Interpretation of The Tao Te Ching" -- the classic Taoist work. I went into this hoping for some laughs and chuckles, and I did get that. To be honest though, this whole book is filled with strikes and gutters, funny interpretations, and not-so-funny interpretations, and silly ones. I think it'd be very undude to rate it below three stars, though.
Aw, hell. I dun' review'd this book enough...
He who knows does not blather
He who blathers should not say peep when I'm doing business
It's just, like, your opinion, man!
Keep your voice down
And stay out of complicated cases;
there's an unspoken message here --
It's "shut the fuck up!"
Tao Te Ching. 56: Immortality
He who knows does not speak
He who speaks does not know
Reserve your judgement and words;
Dull your wit and simplify your purpose;
Be humble as earth and a part of Nature.
Now, this book is, as it says on its cover, a "Dudeist Interpretation of The Tao Te Ching" -- the classic Taoist work. I went into this hoping for some laughs and chuckles, and I did get that. To be honest though, this whole book is filled with strikes and gutters, funny interpretations, and not-so-funny interpretations, and silly ones. I think it'd be very undude to rate it below three stars, though.
Aw, hell. I dun' review'd this book enough...
He who knows does not blather
He who blathers should not say peep when I'm doing business
It's just, like, your opinion, man!
Keep your voice down
And stay out of complicated cases;
there's an unspoken message here --
It's "shut the fuck up!"
Tao Te Ching. 56: Immortality
He who knows does not speak
He who speaks does not know
Reserve your judgement and words;
Dull your wit and simplify your purpose;
Be humble as earth and a part of Nature.
November 22, 2010
To be honest, I didn't read all of it - flicking through the first few verses was enough to let me know how it was likely to continue. What you basically have here is a translation of the Tao by Lao Tzu in its entirety, alternated with verses lampooning the chinese philosophical classic, Big Lebowski style. Probably great fun for the Lebowskiist, but this Dude would rather read the lines that old Lao laid down.
January 30, 2016
The Dudist translation is often cumbersome but there are moments when it shines bright, even when it's not enlightening it's still entertaining. Benjamin's accompanying translation of the Tao Te Ching is the hidden gem of this book, it's easy to understand and makes this classic text accessible.
June 2, 2012
The Tao Te Ching as The Big Lebowski fan fiction. It was ok but nothing too clever like the Tao of Programming.
October 21, 2012
I like Lebowski, and I like Tao, but they're not really getting tied together here, man. Hard to improve on Pooh.
November 23, 2021
Ties life together. It fits right in there, you know?
If you know what to look for, this book offers some good advice on how to live your best life.
It contains the Tao Te Ching. In as much as that can be contained, and there is boundless wisdom therein. It rewrites the Tao Te Ching with a Big Lebowski...slant, which I found helpful for understanding much in the same way the Tao of Pooh is helpful for understanding.
If you are an achiever, or The Man, this book would be antithetical to you, and therefore...you likely won't like it...unless you are looking to re-evaluate your mind-stance and life, then maybe...Maybe.
If you know what to look for, this book offers some good advice on how to live your best life.
It contains the Tao Te Ching. In as much as that can be contained, and there is boundless wisdom therein. It rewrites the Tao Te Ching with a Big Lebowski...slant, which I found helpful for understanding much in the same way the Tao of Pooh is helpful for understanding.
If you are an achiever, or The Man, this book would be antithetical to you, and therefore...you likely won't like it...unless you are looking to re-evaluate your mind-stance and life, then maybe...Maybe.
February 19, 2023
The Dudeist holy book.
April 4, 2024
Easy read if you wanna feel laid back and one with your rug.
January 25, 2010
A wonderful little spiritual companion, interpreted from (and presented alongside) the Tao Te Ching. Members of the Dudeist community have contributed, in conjunction with some of the editorial board of the Dudespaper (the official online publication of the religion) to find their own special way of expressing and understanding the 2600 year old message of Lao Tzu.
The interpretation is presented somewhat as a parody, using references from the movie "The Big Lobowski" (one of the main influences of Dudeism), but using Peter Merel's Tao Te Ching translation you can easily understand the sprit of the message, and they compliment each other well (provided you are familiar with the movie).
The Tao Te Ching's basic message is one of simplicity and the Dude De Ching's basic message is the same. Using this book as a guide you will find a way to navigate through life without the baggage of stress, over thinking and spending all your time staring at the trees and missing the woods.
Even if you're not in tune with the Dudeist interpretation, the Taosist philosophies are clear and full of condensed wisdom in 81 timeless verses.
The book is accompanied by some first rate illustrations by Illustrator/Author Colin Cotterill, that are as light-hearted as verses and pepper the pages nicely.
With a foreward by the Dudely Lama himself, Oliver Benjamin, and an 'Innerduction' by the Arch Dudeship, Dwayne Eutsey, the two foremost Dudeist philosophers and frontmen of the religion, set the scene for both the Tao Te Ching, and the Dude De Ching, and how they relate to one another. A nice succinct (if you're into the whole brevity thing) introduction to the tenets of Dudeism.
A new holy book for our time, and maybe the next 2600 years... or whatever, man.
The interpretation is presented somewhat as a parody, using references from the movie "The Big Lobowski" (one of the main influences of Dudeism), but using Peter Merel's Tao Te Ching translation you can easily understand the sprit of the message, and they compliment each other well (provided you are familiar with the movie).
The Tao Te Ching's basic message is one of simplicity and the Dude De Ching's basic message is the same. Using this book as a guide you will find a way to navigate through life without the baggage of stress, over thinking and spending all your time staring at the trees and missing the woods.
Even if you're not in tune with the Dudeist interpretation, the Taosist philosophies are clear and full of condensed wisdom in 81 timeless verses.
The book is accompanied by some first rate illustrations by Illustrator/Author Colin Cotterill, that are as light-hearted as verses and pepper the pages nicely.
With a foreward by the Dudely Lama himself, Oliver Benjamin, and an 'Innerduction' by the Arch Dudeship, Dwayne Eutsey, the two foremost Dudeist philosophers and frontmen of the religion, set the scene for both the Tao Te Ching, and the Dude De Ching, and how they relate to one another. A nice succinct (if you're into the whole brevity thing) introduction to the tenets of Dudeism.
A new holy book for our time, and maybe the next 2600 years... or whatever, man.
April 11, 2016
Diehard Lebowski fan here, so of course I had to read this. "The Big Lewbowski"-fied verses are worth a few grins, though they wear thin fast. But the accompanying straight translation of the original Tao Te Ching is impressive, lucid, accessible, and powerful. Before long I found myself reading every other section, savoring the original Taoist verses and ignoring the movie-themed rewrites.
5 stars out of 5, not for the movie references (cute but not strong enough to stand on their own) but for the delightfully unexpected translation of the original text.
5 stars out of 5, not for the movie references (cute but not strong enough to stand on their own) but for the delightfully unexpected translation of the original text.
December 21, 2015
This book goes through each portion of the Tao De Ching and converts it into language and references to the Big Lebowski. That was terrible. However, after each Dudeist version, the book includes the actual portion from the Tao De Ching. That was awesome. If this is what it takes to get you to read the Tao de Ching, so be it. But you're better off just reading the original. The Dudeist version is even more confusing and nonsensical than the original.
January 21, 2017
This book helped me decide to become an Ordained Dudeist Priest. I like the idea of this religion in that the world is made up of interesting Dudes.
I have read this book many times and with each time I find more reasons to stay Ordained :-)
I have read this book many times and with each time I find more reasons to stay Ordained :-)
January 8, 2015
Fun
Revisit Tao with some laughs in between. Dude and sage up to the old yielding way. You get it or you don't.
Revisit Tao with some laughs in between. Dude and sage up to the old yielding way. You get it or you don't.
October 28, 2019
I didn't get all of the jokes and references (I'm not from the U.S.A. so I'm not that good with informal English, or at least not THIS informal), but it made me smile for sure!
Read
May 31, 2011Kind of silly, but a fun idea.
September 3, 2014
A novel perspective on ancient wisdom. But that's just like, my opinion, man.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews