The Outer Chapters of the Master of Profound Truth 玄真子外篇

Written by Zhang Zhihe, a scholar of the Tang Dynasty, this work was recorded in Chen Zhensun’s Annotations on Book Catalogues as originally consisting of twelve volumes. However, it had already become incomplete by the Southern Song Dynasty, with only three volumes surviving.

The existing version in The Daozang is three volumes, included in the Taixuan Section. Additionally, General Catalog of the Four Treasuries records a one-volume version of this book.

The Outer Chapters of the Master of Profound Truth

Divided into three parts, the first volume is titled Blue Emptiness, the second Wild Duck and Reed Basket, and the third Spirit of the Waves. Modelling itself after Zhuangzi and Liezi, the book extensively uses hypothetical fables and question-and-answer formats to discuss philosophical issues such as the creation of heaven and earth, existence and non-existence, square and circle, and size.

Its core purport is rooted in Taoist doctrines of emptiness and profound mystery, while also absorbing the Chongxuan (Double Mystery) thought of Taoism in the Tang Dynasty. For example, the book explains the meaning of "Xuanzhen" (Profound Truth) as follows: "Existing naturally without relying on anything, this is called profound naturalness; transforming without deliberate creation, this is called true transformation. Regarding its profundity (Xuan): being profound without striving for profundity, this is called true profundity; being true without clinging to truth, this is called profound truth (Xuanzhen)." This view is similar to Cheng Xuanying’s interpretations of Laozi and Zhuangzi.