Chuang Tzu : basic writings

The basic writings of Chuang Tzu have been savored by Chinese readers for over two thousand years. And Burton Watson's lucid and beautiful translation has been loved by generations of readers. Chuang Tzu (369?-286? B.C.) was a leading philosopher representing the Taoist strain in Chinese thought. Using parable and anecdote, allegory and paradox, he set forth, in the book that bears his name, the early ideas of what was to become the Taoist school. Central to these is the belief that only by understanding Tao (the Way of Nature) and dwelling in its unity can man achieve true happiness and freedom, in both life and death. Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings includes the seven "inner chapters," which form the heart of the book, three of the "outer chapters," and one of the "miscellaneous chapters." Watson also provides an introduction, placing the philosopher in relation to Chinese history and thought. Witty and imaginative, enriched by brilliant imagery, and making sportive use of both mythological and historical personages (including even Confucius), this timeless classic is sure to appeal to anyone interested in Chinese religion and culture. The Basic Writings Of Chuang Tzu Have Been Savored By Chinese Readers For More Than Two Thousand Years. And Burton Watson's Lucid And Beautiful Translation Has Been Loved By Generations Of Readers. Chuang Tzu (369?-286? B.c.) Was A Leading Philosopher Representing The Taoist Strain In Chinese Thought. Using Parable And Anecdote, Allegory And Paradox, He Set Forth, In The Book That Bears His Name, The Early Ideas Of What Was To Become The Taoist School. Central To These Is The Belief That Only By Understanding Tao (the Way Of Nature) And Dwelling In Its Unity Can Man Achieve True Happiness And Freedom, In Both Life And Death. Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings Includes The Seven Inner Chapters, Which Form The Heart Of The Book, Three Of The Outer Chapters, And One Of The Miscellaneous Chapters. Watson Also Provides An Introduction, Which Places The Philosopher In Relation To Chinese History And Thought. Witty And Imaginative, Enriched By Brilliant Imagery, And Making Sportive Use Of Both Mythological And Historical Personages (including Even Confucius), This Timeless Classic Is Sure To Appeal To Anyone Interested In Chinese Religion And Culture. Chuang Tzu ; Translated By Burton Watson. Includes Index. The basic writings of Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi) have been savored by Chinese readers for more than two thousand years. And Burton Watson's lucid and beautiful translation has been loved by generations of readers. Chuang Tzu (369?-286? B.C.) was a leading philosopher representing the Taoist strain in Chinese thought. Using parable and anecdote, allegory and paradox, he set forth, in the book that bears his name, the early ideas of what was to become the Taoist school. Central to these is the belief that only by understanding Tao (the Way of Nature) and dwelling in its unity can man achieve true happiness and freedom, in both life and death. Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings includes the seven "inner chapters," which form the heart of the book, three of the "outer chapters," and one of the "miscellaneous chapters." Watson also provides an introduction, which places the philosopher in relation to Chinese history and thought. Witty and imaginative, enriched by brilliant imagery, and making sportive use of both mythological and historical personages (including even Confucius), this timeless classic is sure to appeal to anyone interested in Chinese religion and culture Revered for millennia in the Chinese spiritual tradition, Chuang Tze stands alongside the Tao Te Ching as a founding classic of Taoism. The Inner Chapters are the only sustained section of this text widely believed to be the work of Chuang Tzu himself, dating to the fourth century B.C.E. But this is an ancient text that yields a surprisingly modern effect. In bold and startling prose, David Hinton's translation captures the "zany texture and philosophical abandon" of the original. The Inner Chapters fantastical passages - in which even birds and trees teach us what they know - offer up a wild menagerie of characters, freewheeling play with language, and surreal humor. And interwoven with Chuang Tzu's sharp instruction on the Tao are short-short stories that are often rough and ribald, rich with satire and paradox. On their deepest level, the Inner Chapters are a meditation on the mysteries of knowledge itself. The basic writings of Chuang Tzu have been savored by Chinese readers for over two thousand years. And Burton Watson's lucid and beautiful translation has been loved by generations of readers. __Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings__ includes the seven "inner chapters," which form the heart of the book, three of the "outer chapters," and one of the "miscellaneous chapters." Watson also provides an introduction, placing the philosopher in relation to Chinese history and thought. http://www.archive.org/details/basicwritings00zhua