Discourse on Chuang Tzu: Expounding on the Dream of a Butterfly - Softcover

Hu, Xuezhi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1522815570 ISBN 13: 9781522815570

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017

Synopsis

An ancient Chinese text from the late Warring States Period (475 B.C.–221 B.C.), Chuang Tzu is a collection of stories and anecdotes which exemplify the carefree nature of the ideal Taoist recluses, sages and immortals. Named after its author, "Master Chuang", this body of work is simply referred to as Chuang Tzu. It remains one of the two foundational texts of Taoism, along with the Tao Te Ching.

Chuang Tzu's array of anecdotes, parables, allegories, and fables, are often humorous or irreverent in nature. Its main themes are spontaneity in non-causative action and freedom from the mundane world. The fables and anecdotes in this text attempt to illustrate the delusion of human conceptualisations and the folly of human moralisation and discernment. Concepts such as good and evil; large and small; life and death; man and nature are philosophically examined. Whilst Confucian, Legalist, and Moh-ist philosophers were concerned with concrete social, political, and ethical reform, designed to alleviate the problems and suffering of the world; Chuang Tzu promoted carefree wandering and becoming one with "Tao" by freeing oneself from entanglement through the Taoist principle of non-causative action.

Throughout human history, innumerable books have developed on the subject of existence. However, very few of these books discuss non-existence. Amid the myriads of these authors, from antiquity through to the end of days, only one, in his carefree style, demonstrates what exists, what does not exist, and what transcends the limits of existence and non-existence: Chuang Tzu. His approach was radical and subversive, not only during the time it was written, but remains fresh and surprising to readers today and readers in future, until the end of days. This particular quality of Chuang Tzu, is central to its genius, and makes it so highly regarded as both a philosophical and literary work. For a span of more than 2000 years it has significantly influenced writers from the Han dynasty to the present day. Whilst the text stands as a work of philosophy and literature, and was written with a light touch and an ear for humour, there is also a deep and important function at its core: Chuang Tzu gives important and specific guidance for those truly in search of the path to enlightenment, and the transcendence of all limitations. As a text of such richness, depth, multiplicity, and spiritual gravity, Chuang Tzu may very well be unchallenged as a written work surpassing all others.

This book has been created with particular attention to helping the reader fully engage with the work of Chuang Tzu. Each chapter boasts at least one, but up to three, line-art illustrations in order to vividly convey the humorous and integral import of stories, anecdotes, fables and arguments within the text. Readers will also find that annotation and commentary account for more than half of the content. These extensive, line-by-line notes are conveniently provided within each chapter, offering interpretations of many ambiguous and hidden concepts, as well as historical and cultural references. The combination of well-designed illustrations and carefully considered annotation, has infused this book with a depth of content and graceful aesthetic.

About this title

About the Author:

Hu Xuehi is a senior Taoist adept, and practitioner of internal alchemy, an herbalist and qigong healer, has helped people all over the world uncover their own internal medicine through the study of qigong. He spent a large part of his life seeking out true teachers of the Tao,meditating deep in the mountains and learning from rare texts of internal alchemy, as well as thoroughly studying the ancient works of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

Review:

Master Hu Xuezhi provides invaluable commentary and annotations for those wishing to learn how The Chuang Tzu encompasses the entire spectrum of Daoist philosophy, including areas usually considered cross-over from Buddhism.  His annotations help to uncover the historical context behind so many of Chuang Tzu's stories, and his explication of the myriad puns which run throughout the Chuang Tzu present additional layers of meaning in this text which few have been privy to without the guidance of a learned Daoist teacher such as Master Hu.  His audience will gain, not only a deeper reading of the Chuang Tzu, but a study in the vast nuances of Daoist philosophy as they are taught to Master Hu's meditation students on Wudang Mountain and Kh'unlun Mountain.
--- Dan G. Reid, translator of The Ho-Shang Kung Commentary on Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching
Considered one of the canonical Chinese classics, The Book of Zhuang Zi (Chuang Tzu) is well-regarded for its proficient use of language, literary finesse and also for its obscurity. Translating Zhuang Zi from the ancient text to modern Chinese even presents difficulty for present day scholars and linguists.

It is therefore unsurprising that Western translations and research can often represent Zhuang Zi's writings rather one dimensionally. Either focusing on its satirical qualities against leading socio-political ideas of its time, such as Confucianism; as a work of early metaphysical or relativistic-skeptic philosophy; or, merely as a spiritual attitude that may be adopted to life, namely the action-avoiding, freedom-loving Daoist.

However, the work of Zhuang Zi carries all of these resonances, as well as coded information about Daoist meditation practice. The synergy and complexity of all these attributes within the text are often lost to the Western reader. What is so compelling about Hu's translation, is how hard it works to bridge these various components, by creating a discourse that engages Western understanding, and yet remains distinctly faithful to its Chinese origins. As an editor, I had to resist the inclination to impose Western logic on the concepts expressed here, of which are already significantly transformed by moving from one language into another.

This version spans two volumes of over 800 pages, attempting to provide as much historical, cultural and practical information as possible, whilst re-creating a sensitive and playful translation of the original text. Hu's annotations and commentary are heavily based on his knowledge as a teacher of Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, as well as his enthusiasm for the ancient Chinese language, thereby offering unique insight into the inherent wordplay and spiritual references within the text.

Undoubtedly, Discourse on Chuang Tzu will make an important addition to the library of anyone interested in a general understanding of Daoist ideals as: non-causative action, spontaneity or nature, however, there is also sufficiently fresh material for the knowledgeable reader to gain a deeper understanding into why The Book of Zhuang Zi carries so much spiritual gravity and how its teachings may be practised.
--- Eileen Pun; Poet published in Ten: The New Wave, Poetry Anthology (Bloodaxe Books, UK); Editorial team, Embracing Destiny in China (New World Press, Beijing)

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1522815570
• ISBN 13: 9781522815570
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 456
• Editor: Pun Eileen, Reid Dan G.