Burton Watson's pinyin romanization brings the text in line with how Chinese scholars, and an increasing number of other scholars, read it. One of the most justly celebrated texts of the Chinese tradition, the Zhuangzi is read by thousands of English-language scholars each year, yet only in the Wade-Giles romanization. Boldly imaginative and inventively worded, the Zhuangzi floats free of its historical period and society, addressing the spiritual nourishment of all people across time. Zhuangzi elucidates this mystical philosophy through humor, parable, and anecdote, deploying non sequitur and even nonsense to illuminate a truth beyond the boundaries of ordinary logic. When one ceases to judge events as good or bad, man-made suffering disappears and natural suffering is embraced as part of life. To be free, individuals must discard rigid distinctions between good and bad, right and wrong, and follow a course of action not motivated by gain or striving.

This is Daoist philosophy's central tenet, espoused by the person-or group of people-known as Zhuangzi (369?-286? B.C.E.) in a text by the same name.

Only by inhabiting Dao (the Way of Nature) and dwelling in its unity can humankind achieve true happiness and freedom, in both life and death.

Introduction Outline of Early Chinese History.

Burton Watson's pinyin romanization brings the text in line with how Chinese scholars, and an increasing number of other scholars, read it.Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index. The Complete Works Of Chuang Tzu Translated by Burton Watson Section TWENTY-SIX - EXTERNAL THINGS EXTERNAL THINGS CANNOT be counted on. Only by inhabiting Dao (the Way of Nature) and dwelling in its unity can humankind achieve true happiness and freedom, in both life and death. Material type: materialTypeLabel BookPublisher: New York: Columbia University Press, 1968Description: 397p.

The complete works of chuang tzu