Riding the Wind with Liezi: New Perspectives on the Daoist Classic (SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture)

The__Liezi__is the forgotten classic of Daoism. Along with the__Laozi (Daodejing)__and the__Zhuangzi__, it's been considered a Daoist masterwork since the mid-eighth century, yet unlike those well-read works, the__Liezi__is little known and receives scant scholarly attention. Nevertheless, the__Liezi__is an important text that sheds valuable light on the early history of Daoism, particularly the formative period of sectarian Daoism. We do not know exactly what shape the original text took, but what remains is replete with fantastic characters, whimsical tales, paradoxical aphorisms, and philosophically sophisticated reflection on the nature of the world and humanity's place within it. Ultimately, the__Liezi__sees the world as one of change and indeterminacy.Arguing for the__Liezi__'s historical, philosophical, and literary significance, the contributors to this volume offer a fresh look at this text, using contemporary approaches and providing novel insights. The volume is unique in its attention to both philosophical and religious perspectives. The Liezi is the forgotten classic of Daoism. Along with the Laozi (Daodejing) and the Zhuangzi , it's been considered a Daoist masterwork since the mid-eighth century, yet unlike those well-read works, the Liezi is little known and receives scant scholarly attention. Nevertheless, the Liezi is an important text that sheds valuable light on the early history of Daoism, particularly the formative period of sectarian Daoism. We do not know exactly what shape the original text took, but what remains is replete with fantastic characters, whimsical tales, paradoxical aphorisms, and philosophically sophisticated reflection on the nature of the world and humanity's place within it. Ultimately, the Liezi sees the world as one of change and indeterminacy. Arguing for the Liezi 's historical, philosophical, and literary significance, the contributors to this volume offer a fresh look at this text, using contemporary approaches and providing novel insights. The volume is unique in its attention to both philosophical and religious perspectives. Edited By Ronnie Littlejohn And Jeffrey Dippmann. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.