The Way of Chuang TzuChuang Tzu--considered, along with Lao Tzu, one of the great figures of early Taoist thought--used parables and anecdotes, allegory and paradox, to illustrate that real happiness and freedom are found only in understanding the Tao or Way of nature, and dwelling in its unity. The respected Trappist monk Thomas Merton spent several years reading and reflecting upon four different translations of the Chinese classic that bears Chuang Tzu's name. The result is this collection of poetic renderings of the great sage's work that conveys its spirit in a way no other translation has and that was Merton's personal favorite among his more than fifty books. Both prose and verse are included here, as well as a short section from Merton discussing the most salient themes of Chuang Tzu's teachings. |
Contents
A Study of Chuang Tzu | 1 |
The Useless Tree | 31 |
Great Knowledge | 37 |
Cutting Up an Ox | 45 |
Lao Tzus Wake | 59 |
Metamorphosis | 66 |
Cracking the Safe | 72 |
The Kingly Man | 79 |
Great and Small | 99 |
Symphony for a Sea Bird | 116 |
When the Shoe Fits | 129 |
Starlight and NonBeing | 144 |
The Inner Law | 157 |
Flight from Benevolence | 171 |
Bibliography | 185 |
The Lost Pearl | 83 |
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Common terms and phrases
action antinomianism asked attain become begin boat called centipede Chinese Philosophy Chögyam Trungpa Chuang Tzu book Confucianism Confucius death deep delight disciple empty ethical fasting fishes happy forgotten four basic virtues grasp hearing heart heaven and earth Hence hidden Hui Tzu human idea invisible John C. H. justice Keng Sang Chu King Yao knowledge Kwan Lao Tzu light live look Mai-Mai man’s Master Mencius mind monkeys morning mountain nature never No-Form non-action Non-Being non-doing objects one’s Pema Chödrön Phoenix physiognomist Prince realize recluse rest right and wrong sage Sam Hamill sea bird seek Shun sing sorrow spirit Tao Teh Ching Taoism teaching tell things Thomas Cleary Thomas Merton thought tranquillity translated tree true Tzu replied Tzu's understand unhappiness useless Void whole wisdom wise words wu wei Yellow Emperor Yen Hui