Reflections on Zhuangzi - Zhuangzi from the Perspective of Imaginary Thinking

Author: Wang Shuren, Li Mingzhu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: "Zhuangzi" is an extraordinary classic of ancient China, and over two thousand years, there have been numerous interpreters and annotators of it. This book is a completely new interpretation of "Zhuangzi," where the authors emphasize the concept of "suspension" in understanding Zhuangzi's writings and strive to enter the text of Zhuangzi through the "image thinking" that gives rise to Zhuangzi's writings, thus presenting a fresh perspective. The main body of Zhuangzi consists of allegories, where the so-called "repeated speech" and "spontaneous speech" all serve the purpose of the allegory. This purpose is "building images with words, generating realms with images, and expressing meaning through realms." This makes Zhuangzi's writings possess poetic uncertainty expressed through symbolism and metaphor, and it also gives Zhuangzi's writings infinite possibilities for original creative inspiration in thought. The profound depth and eternal charm of Zhuangzi's writings lie in this. The central focus of the entire book is to contemplate and specifically elaborate on Zhuangzi's great wisdom of "the Way is one," integrating interpretation within commentary, with a chapter-by-chapter analysis where interpretation and explanation are combined. Attention is also paid to comparisons between ancient and modern as well as between Eastern and Western, thereby not only revealing the true essence of Zhuangzi's thoughts but also uncovering their modern and global significance.