Teachings of Chuang Tzu: Attaining Unlimited Life

by Hua-Ching Ni

Book Overview

Chuang Tzu took Lao Tzu's mystical teachings and illuminated their value in everyday life. His teaching encouraged the foundation of modern Taoism and stimulated the development of Zen Buddhism. Chang... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0937064181
• ISBN13: 9780937064184
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Sevenstar Communications, U.S.
• Length: 467 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Nice translation

This is the complete Chuang Tzu, not only the Inner Chapters.To me, the translation of =intent= in Ni's edition feels more appropriate than Watson or some others.For comparison (Inner Chapter 1), in Watson, it says:"Therefore I say, the Perfect Man has no self; the Holy Man has no merit; the Sage has no fame."By contrast, in Ni, it says:"Thus it has been said, 'Man in his highest form is selfless. Gods, who were once men, have no interest in achievement. One of natural wisdom takes no interest in fame.'"It is likely that the former is a closer transliteration, but in English it is inaccurate to say "the Sage has no fame", when indeed he may have much fame about him. Then, what is meant? What is meant is what Ni makes plain. Someone reading only Watson (or many similar translations) may struggle on interpreting that simple line for some time. But to what end? The sentences are not word puzzles.I find nothing disingenuous about either approach. However, for myself, I find the cryptic nature of the highly transliterative approach as desirable mainly to the intellect and ego, and thus a distraction from the true intent. I find that Ni is a capable translator of the intent - of conveying the wisdom - in this book, as he is in his translation of the Tao Te Ching.

Gems On Every Page!!!

Very Nice Book.... This is one that needs to be studied over the years and used as a supplement to spiritual practice...The Man is very down to earth and balanced in his approach. Read it for yourself and plant a seed in your soul!

Simple Messages of The Way

On the contrary i totally disagree with the above comments by the above two Davids....the book is actually about the sayings of Chuang Tzu one of the famous sages in China, after Lao Tzu, as such Ni is merely translating and putting some of his own commentaries on what is essentially a book which has been translated & commented on by other authors.The difference is that Ni managed to bring out the simple messages attributed to Chuang Tzu in an uncomplicated way.I feel that this is a worthy read and will help in a person"s self cultivation.As to accusations that this is "New Age" teachings, cult studies etc....I suggest readers to read what Ni has to say in his books with an open and discerning mind...it is in fact a logical and pragmatic view to living and to progress as human being in society