Chuang Tzu
Based on James Legge's Translation

Postscript

The Twists of This Version

Here and there words are altered to conform to more recent writing and spelling.

• Titles are added to the sections to make recognition easier.
• Words at the bottom of sections and behind this sign - ◑ - are added to Legge's work by TK. These additions consist of section abstracts, links, and more, and are aimed at increasing the benefits of the massive content, on the whole.
• The spelling of some names is made easier. Hyphens in some names are dropped.
• 'Tzu' (Pinyin: Zi) after a name is translated as 'Master' and put in front of the name - a common practice in Burton Watson's work too.

Insertions in round brackets (..) usually are those of Legge's.

Possible Authors

Chuang Tzu ( ca. 365 - 290 BCE), or Zhuangzi, or Master Chuang or Master Zhuang, Mester Zhuang was a Taoist philosopher and author. His original personal name was Chuang Chou (Zhuang Zhou). Spellings vary. Instead of 'Master Chuang' we may also come across Chuang Tsu, Zhuang Tze, Chouang-Dsi, Chuang Tse, Chuang-tzu and Chuangtze.

His biographic data are few, and perhaps not reliable. Also, that it was he who wrote the Chuang Tzu, also called Nan Hua Zhen Jing (The true book about the southern land of blossoming) has been questioned. Russell Kirkland supposes that a Kuo Hsiang of the 200s CE wrote all the thirty-three chapters of the book. [Wikipedia, s.v. "Zhuangzi"]

The Book

The book is most often ascribed to Chuang Tzu. It is one of the founding works of philosophical Taoism, along with Tao-te Ching (Dao-de Jing).

The book has three main parts. The inner chapters (1-7); the outer chapters (8-12), and mixed writings (13-33). The opinions. insights, and views of the author(s) are clothed in artful allegories, brief treatises about philosopical conundrums and anecdote-like dialogues and tales. The text is of a complex style and marked by a poetic flair. One finds critique of exaggerated ceremonialism in it, and praise of a life of retirement in idyllic environments, besides inner freedom. The work is thus marked by what is called "a free spirit".

Refinement and naturalness are advocated. Fit simplicity of living is advocated. And the body is not viewed as a means of carnally bad temptation, but rather as something positive to delight in. Regulating sex forms is found to be fit. Neither abstinence nor abstinence nor excessive sexual indulgence is advocated, and the sexual energy of women is viewed as boundless, and women are encouraged to reach orgasm without restriction.

Astrology forms part of Taoism, and divination.

Taoism encourages people to take good care of nature and its diversity.

One finds such as sensitive holism in the text. Also, the Chuang Tzu's philosophy was very influential in the development of Chinese Buddhism, especially Chan (Zen). Some of the outlooks in the book about transformations of life from simple to more complex forms antedate the evolutionary approach of such as Charles Darwin.

Taoism and Buddhism

Taoism involves a way of life and may be a religion to some too. It contains numerous teachings and include a number of meditative and contemplative traditions and exercises. Some of them may benefit one's physical and mental health. Studies of meditation techniques confirm it.

When Buddhism entered China it interacted and merged considerably with Taoism. What is more, Buddhism's scriptures were translated into Chinese using the Taoist vocabulary.

For centuries, Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism deeply influenced one another in China. All three embrace a humanist philosophy.

The number of Taoists is difficult to estimate. Estimates for the number of Taoists worldwide range from twenty to over fifty million. [Wikipedia, s.v. "Taoism"]

Some key concepts

Tao has a variety of meanings; not just "the indescribable way".

Wu wei is a key concept. It stands for doing nothing (in the open). It is often expressed by "action without action" or "(quite) effortless doing".

Taoists teaches that the body ties directly into the Chinese five (system) elements, and that we may gain knowledge of the world by understanding ourselves better. Chinese acupuncture is an outlet of Taoism, and the ancient Chinese classic I Ching (The Book of Changes) has evolved from it too.

The translator, James Legge, Scottish scholar (1815-97)

Dr Legge was professor of Chinese at Oxford University (1876-1897). He translated The Analects of Confucius, the Sayings of Mencius, The Tao Teh King and other works into English. The Chuang Tzu was one of the hardest Chinese Taoism works to translate, writes Legge.

Legge was aided by the pioneering Chinese Wang T'ao (1828-97?) in the monumental translation of the Five Classics of Confucianism. Wang also spent two years with Legge in Europe.

Legge said, "I will translate faithfully the works of the best and oldest Chinese authors for the benefit of missionaries and students of all professions."

Literature  



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