Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters

Being introduced to modern translations of the mountain and bamboo poets is instrumental in our understanding of the genius of Chinese poetry. I wish there were recordings of the original so that the sound and beat, the movement and internal rhymes of Tang and early Sung Dynasty poetry. In wonder I stood before the original Mountain and Bamboo poets paintings with the poem written next to the painting. The texture and appeal of the mountains, waterfalls, birds, sloping hills was accented by the calligraphy. I was standing close to the glass just basically digging on the works, the mystery to me. A guy standing next to me asked if I understood and I told him that it was only in translation. The translators throughout the 20th and into 21st century always state in the introductions about the quality of the sound and rhymes in this poetry, but I have no idea. He then recited them to me. Others who were obviously as into this poetic form joined in on different lyrical, narrative, pastoral and Chan-Tao poems. One of my best days in a museum. I love museums. The experience stands as a superb moment of social harmony.

The seller handled the book with loving care and that is greatly appreciated. David Hinton is, for me, beyond criticism, as he brings great joy with his scholarship in bringing these old masters, Chinese poet/philosophers, to life.

I really enjoyed reading this book both because of its scholarly accuracy (it includes only those parts of the text that Chuang Tzu most likely wrote), and also for the attractive illustrations that accompany the text. I have always been a great fan of Chuang Tzu because of his lively and irreverent approach to life and David Hinton does a magnificent job of capturing his voice and making it accessible to the modern reader.

The writings of Chuang Tzu add to my knowledge and understanding of Tao in a more personal way. I have always been an avid reader, for me his use of different characters and even animals and birds as teachers works quite well. We can find humor in even the most mundane aspects of life and the use of humor in these teaching makes them very relatable across time, philosophy, and species.

Text is excellent and his intro and notes lend insight.

yes a very good book about tao.. recomend.

Excellent read.

Chuang Tzu, The Inner Chapters, translated by Solala Towler, Watkins Publishing, London, 2010, 192 ff. Chuang Tzu (or Zhuangzi) is both the title and the author of a classic Taoist text that may have originated as far back as the 4th century BCE. This would make it contemporary with the `Tao Te Ching' of Lao Tzu, but some scholars put Lao Tzu and the school he founded as early as the 6th century BCE. According to Dr Russell Kirkland, an Associate Professor of Religion at the University of Georgia in the USA, it is more likely that the Chuang Tzu is the work of another much later Taoist, Kuo Hsiang, from the 3rd century CE. The work of 33 chapters has come down to us in three parts. Part 1, The Inner Chapters, comprises 7 chapters; Part 2 called The Outer Chapters is the main part of the work consisting of 15 chapters; and the remaining 11 chapters comprise The Mixed Chapters, thought to have been written by various authors. It is this first part that is presented here in a translation by Solala Towler, a Taoist scholar and author of 12 books on Qigong and the Taoist arts. The text is presented as a succession of stories between sages and their students explaining some of the principles of Taoism. There are also various sections of commentary by Towler. The text is lavishly illustrated by inspiring black-and-white photographs, many taken by Towler himself. This is the only translation of the Chuang Tzu I have read, so I cannot compare the quality of the translation with any others. The presentation, both in the text and in its production, reflects the mystical nature of the content. Personally, I find the Taoist message more direct in the Tao Te Ching and I relate less well to this story-telling approach; but this says more about me than about the text. There is a quote from the Tao in the text, which is an accurate reflection of Taoist thought: `In the pursuit of knowledge / every day something more is added. / In the pursuit of Tao / every day something is let go of.' This expresses the essential wu wei of Taoist thought - of accepting life as it is, of taking time out for reflection and meditation, to respect all living things, and always living in such a way as to enhance the lives of others as far as we are able. Whatever the accuracy of the translation, I found this an inspiring work. Tao Te Ching: An Illustrated Journey Howard Jones is the author of The World as Spirit

This book gives people a different perspective of why life exists. Soul verses life. What is soul? It's amazing to understand if soul even exists since it does not appear in materialistic form. Definitely a fantastic read.

What can I say, it’s Chuang Tzu, it made me laugh out loud, it ain’t Chuang Tzu if it doesn’t.

I read this along with David Hinton's Existence, so in my mind these two books go together. Now I understand some of the problems that one faces in translating Chinese poetry. Hinton has produced an excellent translation and presentation of this seminal work of Chinese literature.

I feel bad about this. I see other positive reviews. I have left the book for some months to see if it was just my bad mood, and returned to it, and still the same feeling. So this is not an analytical 'what is wrong with the translation!!!' kind of review--because I don't know the original language. I am only saying I am left feeling cold and disconnected when I read this. Unlike a lot of similar work I read/have read. So, just saying--and I hope you have a better experience than I do!