Zhuangzi: The Collector's Edition

Author: Jin Fanping
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-10-01
Features: The Zhuangzi is a comprehensive collection of writings by the Zhuangzi school and an important classic of Taoism. The existing Zhuangzi consists of 33 chapters, divided into Inner Chapters, Outer Chapters, and Miscellaneous Chapters. It is generally believed that the Inner Chapters were written by Zhuangzi himself, while the Outer and Miscellaneous Chapters were composed by his disciples and later scholars. Zhuangzi, also known as Zhou, was a mid-Zhou period figure from Meng (present-day Shangqiu, Henan). He once served as a minor official in the office of Guan and Hu. He pursued spiritual freedom, viewing fame, wealth, status, and positions as dung and rotten rats. The King of Qi, admiring his reputation, sent an envoy with a heavy sum of money to invite him to become a minister. Zhuangzi replied that he would rather frolic freely in a dirty ditch than be bound by the constraints of those in power, declining the offer. Zhuangzi also regarded the "Dao" as the foundation of the universe, believing it exists in all things and serves as the root and basis for the existence and transformation of all phenomena. He proposed the idea of the unity of all things, arguing that the universe and all things are manifestations of the transformation of the primordial qi. Though diverse in form, they are all composed of the same qi and thus constitute a single whole. From this perspective, he considered distinctions such as size, longevity, life and death, right and wrong to be relative. From the viewpoint of the unity of all things, these differences lose their significance. Zhuangzi was dissatisfied with the social reality of his time, describing it as a world where "blessings are lighter than feathers, while misfortunes are heavier than the earth," where people "barely escape punishment." Thus, he despised worldly life and pursued spiritual freedom free from worldly constraints. In his ideal, the sage or the true man is one who breathes the wind and drinks dew, roams in the pure qi of heaven and earth, unbound by any constraints and relying on no one, living in freedom. He sought a transcendent and extraordinary state where one is not "internally wounded" by any disputes, preferences, emotions, or feelings, allowing the natural and innate qualities of humans to develop freely. He mocked those who were obsessed with worldly fame and fortune, comparing them to sparrows and cicadas who fail to recognize the vast world and grand ambitions of the Kun and Peng. He regarded life and death as akin to the transformation of seasons, purely natural phenomena. He neither delighted in life nor abhorred death, even believing that death is a return to one's true nature, as evidenced by his act of "dancing with a pot" after his wife's death. To achieve this ideal state, he proposed practices such as "mental purification" and "sitting and forgetting." Zhuangzi's philosophy contains profound wisdom and has had a far-reaching influence on later generations. The idea of the unity of all things he proposed represents a progress in the understanding of the world. His thoughts that disputes alone, based on subjective standards, cannot determine right or wrong, and that the world is infinite while individual cognitive abilities are limited, raised two fundamental questions in the realm of knowledge. Although he did not provide correct answers to these questions and even arrived at erroneous conclusions, the issues he raised were profound. While Zhuangzi's philosophy leans toward negativity, it still holds significance and utility for people seeking to alleviate distress and achieve psychological balance in chaotic and adverse circumstances. It can serve as a complement to an active and proactive life philosophy. The Zhuangzi extensively uses allegories to explain philosophical concepts, with elegant and highly literary value. Reading this book can also benefit one's literary cultivation. For beginners, the Zhuangzi with modern annotations and translations by Chen Guying is recommended, while classical annotations can be found in Zhuangzi Jishu by Guo Qingfan and Zhuangzi Jie by Wang Xianqian. It is advisable to start with the Inner Chapters and selections such as Autumn Waters, Joy, Mountain Wood, and North Pool. The final chapter of the Zhuangzi, The World, provides an evaluation of the intellectual ferment of the Warring States period and the various schools of thought, serving as an important intellectual resource for understanding and studying the history of Chinese thought. It deserves special attention.