In 1987, Shifi Hwang first made his translation of the Tao Teh Chin available to the public. Here is an excerpt from "The Second Letter of Shifu to the Readers":

"Tao Teh Chin is a book which conveys its meanings in a poetic style, therefore it leaves its readers feeling that its meaning was not clearly expressed. According to each individual's previous knowledge of reading the Tao, the meanings are interpreted differently. Therefore most scholars feel the necessity of making footnotes for this book. Han Fe Tze was probably the first one to make footnotes. He was a reppresentative of the most famous practical legalists; pracgical powerful men who advised rulers during the Warring Kingdom Period. In the beginning of the Han Dynasty, there were foot notes by Wong Pi and Ho Sun Kon. Wong Pi should be considered a member of Confucius school, interpreting Tao Teh Chin based on his understanding of Yi Ching. Today most scholars use Wong's interpretation. Ho Sun Kon was a Taoist. He made footnotes based on Taoist's traditional thinking. According to Gr Shiun of the Gin Dynasty, Ho Sun Kon's real name was unknown to the world. In the days of Emperor Shiao Wen(Han Dynasty), Ho Sun Kon made a straw hut on the bank of the Ho(Yellow River) and lived there, reciting Tao Teh Chin year round. Because Emperor Shiao Wen was very fond of reading the teachings of Lao Tze, he decreed that all princes and ministers should recite Tao Teh Chin when entering the palace. However, there was some difficulty in understanding the meanings- a fact which troubled all ministers. A minister name Fei Kai suggested that Ho Sun Kon, who recited the words of Lao Tae year round, might be called on to explain the meanings. Thus, the emperor sent his missionary to ask for interpretations of the passage which they could not understand. Ho Sun Kon said," the Tao is to be honored, and the Teh praised,- the emperor should ask himself." Hence Emperor Shiao Wen came with his followers to see him and said,"All the land under heaven are no other than the king's lands, and the people living theron are no other than the king's subjects. The book of Tao Teh Chin says that in the unverse, there are four great things, and kingship is one of them. Although you are the man who understand Tao, you are still my subject. If you won't pay obeisance to me, do you think you are more honorable than me? I can make any person honored or despised immediately." Ho Sun Kon sat on ground with his two hands united, leapt into air, and ascended slowly as a piece of cloud foated at a height about a thousand fee from ground, and answered,"I have now reached the place between heaven and earth. Do you have any subject living here? Can you make me honored? Or despised?" The Emperor then knew he was a spiritually gifted man, and thus greeted him with due course. Ho Sun Kon then gave the emperor his manuscript of footnotes of Tao Teh Chin. Most recent scholars read Tao Teh Chin based on Wong Pi and Ho Sun Kon's interpretation. During Tang Ddynasty, Tao Teh Chin received the highest praise from royal family. A Famous Buddhist monk, Shiun Zon received the decree to translate Tao Teh Chin into Indian language,-Sanskrit. This is the first time that Tao Teh Chin was translated into foreign language, about 1500 years ago. Now, almost every country in the world has a version of Tao Teh Chin in their own language. There are now more than twenty different English versions. Among them, James Legge and Lin Yutang made the best attempt to understand the ancient Chinese scripture and grammar, but nevertheless could not understand the essence of Taoim. As for the other translators, they can neither understand the essence of Taoism, nor can they understand ancient Chinese scripture and grammar. Although there are plenty of different versions on the market, they are all translated by those who use different vocabulary to convey a superficial interpretation of Tao, and are never able to give a meaningful explanation. Naturally readers would be unable to procure little knowledge from those works. Shifu Hwang has studied Taoism more than two decades. Most important he practices Taoism in his life style. He used Ho Sun Kon's footnotes as interpretation and honestly translate the Chinese version of Tao Teh Chin into English version."

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