Way of Chuang Tzu (Shambhala Pocket Classics)

About this book

Working from existing translations Thomas Merton composed a series of personal versions from his favorites among the classic sayings of Chuang Tzu the most spiritual of the Chinese philosophers. Chuang Tzu who wrote in the fourth and third centuries B.C. is the chief authentic historical spokesman for Taoism and its founder Lao Tzu (a legendary character known largely through Chuang Tzus writings). Indeed it was because of Chuang Tzu and the other Taoist sages that Indian Buddhism was transformed in China into the unique vehicle we now call by its Japanese name Zen. The Chinese sage abounds in wit paradox satire and shattering insight into the true ground of being. Father Merton no stranger to Asian thought brings a vivid modern idiom to the timeless wisdom of Tao. Illustrated with early Chinese drawings.