Berger Intro to Asian Religions Taoism of Chuang Tzu Berger Intro to Asian Religions

The Figure of Chuang Tzu 莊子 Legendary, reclusive sage (370-300 BCE) Rejected political Taoism of Lao Tzu in favor of practices of wise recluses, craftspeople—populace in general Legend of his rejection of political advisory position Book becomes known as the “Classic Book of Genuine Southern Culture” (南華眞經 nan hwa chen ch’ing) for its embrace of “mysticism” over rational politics Chuang Tzu author of book’s first seven chapters

“Sorting Which Evens Things Out” (齊物論 Chi Wu Lun) Identity lies in shifting desires, not in the centrality of the heart (p. 453) Life as a series of shifting perspectives ( pp. 455, 460) Recognizing the plurality of life-standards and not imposing one’s standards on others (pp. 458, 459, 460) Against partiality in judging the “completeness” of one’s life (p. 456): the story of the old farmer and the horse The importance of finding one’s “spontaneous knack” (自然 tzu ran) in life: the stories of cook Ting and the wheelwright

for Next Class Sourcebook 555-562