The Chuang Tzu

Zhuangzi Chapter 27 – 寓言 (Metaphorical Language)

Zhuangzi Chapter 27 – 寓言 (Metaphorical Language)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 27 (Metaphorical Language) reflects on how Zhuangzi uses borrowed words, repeated sayings, and goblet words that overflow and renew themselves — because direct speech cannot carry the truth...

Zhuangzi Chapter 27 – 寓言 (Metaphorical Language)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 27 (Metaphorical Language) reflects on how Zhuangzi uses borrowed words, repeated sayings, and goblet words that overflow and renew themselves — because direct speech cannot carry the truth...

Zhuangzi Chapter 26 – 外物 (What Comes from Without)

Zhuangzi Chapter 26 – 外物 (What Comes from Without)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 26 (What Comes from Without) explores how external things serve inner ends — the fish trap forgotten once the fish is caught, the rabbit snare once the rabbit...

Zhuangzi Chapter 26 – 外物 (What Comes from Without)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 26 (What Comes from Without) explores how external things serve inner ends — the fish trap forgotten once the fish is caught, the rabbit snare once the rabbit...

Zhuangzi Chapter 25 – 则阳 (Ze-yang)

Zhuangzi Chapter 25 – 则阳 (Ze-yang)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 25 (Ze-yang) ranges from the futility of war — illustrated by two kingdoms fighting on a snail's horn — to the endless arguments of philosophers, and concludes that...

Zhuangzi Chapter 25 – 则阳 (Ze-yang)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 25 (Ze-yang) ranges from the futility of war — illustrated by two kingdoms fighting on a snail's horn — to the endless arguments of philosophers, and concludes that...

Zhuangzi Chapter 24 – 徐无鬼 (Xu Wu-gui)

Zhuangzi Chapter 24 – 徐无鬼 (Xu Wu-gui)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 24 (Xu Wu-gui) gathers vivid parables: the hermit who comforts a ruler without argument, Huang-Di who learns governance from a cowherd boy, and Zhuangzi who mourns Huizi as...

Zhuangzi Chapter 24 – 徐无鬼 (Xu Wu-gui)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 24 (Xu Wu-gui) gathers vivid parables: the hermit who comforts a ruler without argument, Huang-Di who learns governance from a cowherd boy, and Zhuangzi who mourns Huizi as...

Zhuangzi Chapter 23 – 庚桑楚 (Geng-sang Chu)

Zhuangzi Chapter 23 – 庚桑楚 (Geng-sang Chu)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 23 (Geng-sang Chu) follows a disciple of Laozi who governs by non-action and brings prosperity without effort. Through dialogues with Laozi, it reveals how to guard the spirit:...

Zhuangzi Chapter 23 – 庚桑楚 (Geng-sang Chu)

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 23 (Geng-sang Chu) follows a disciple of Laozi who governs by non-action and brings prosperity without effort. Through dialogues with Laozi, it reveals how to guard the spirit:...

Zhuangzi Chapter 22 – 知北游 (Knowledge Rambling in the North)

Zhuangzi Chapter 22 – 知北游 (Knowledge Rambling i...

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 22 (Knowledge Rambling in the North) follows Knowledge as it seeks the Dao from Dumb Inaction, Heedless Blurter, and Huang-Di — only to learn that the Dao cannot...

Zhuangzi Chapter 22 – 知北游 (Knowledge Rambling i...

Paul Peng

Zhuangzi Chapter 22 (Knowledge Rambling in the North) follows Knowledge as it seeks the Dao from Dumb Inaction, Heedless Blurter, and Huang-Di — only to learn that the Dao cannot...