Zhuangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature [Paperback]

Chih-chung Ts'ai (Author), Brian Bruya (Translator), Donald J. Munro (Afterword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 1992

During a period of political and social upheaval in China, the unconventional insights of the great Daoist Zhuangzi (369?-286? B.C.) pointed to a way of living naturally. Inspired by his fascination with the wisdom of this sage, the immensely popular Taiwanese cartoonist Tsai Chih Chung created a bestselling Chinese comic book. Tsai had his cartoon characters enact the key parables of Zhuangzi (pronounced jwawngdz), and he rendered Zhuangzi's most enlightening sayings into modern Chinese. Through Tsai's enthusiasm and skill, the earliest and core parts of the Zhuangzi were thus made accessible to millions of Chinese-speaking people with no other real chance of appreciating this major Daoist text. Translated into English by Brian Bruya, the comic book is now available to a Western audience. The classical Chinese text of the selections of the Zhuangzi is reproduced in the margins throughout. Evoked by the translation and the playful cartoons is the spontaneity that Zhuangzi favors as an attitude toward life: abandon presuppositions, intellectual debates, and ambitions, he suggests, and listen to the "music of nature." With the writings attributed to Laozi, the Zhuangzi contributed to an alternative philosophical ideal that matched Confucianism in its impact on Chinese culture. Over the centuries this classical Daoism influenced many aspects of Chinese life, including painting, literature, and the martial arts. It had a particularly strong effect on Chan Buddhism (Japanese Zen). For this book, Donald Munro has written an afterword that places Daoism and the Zhuangzi in historical and cultural context.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; 1ST edition (July 13, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691008825
• ISBN-13: 978-0691008820
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Essence of Chuangzi presented in easy to read format, November 11, 2004

By 

Laura De Giorgio "hypnotherapist" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Zhuangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature (Paperback)

Now you can enjoy the essence, wit and wisdom of Chuangzi brought to life through cartoons. Near the edge of each page, you'll also find the story written in Chinese characters.

Through these popular and illustrated stories, you'll get a taste of "listening to the music", living spontaneously, free from social encumbrances, free from the strict rules of conduct of Confucianism - in harmony with the Tao, surrendering to the moment and enjoying whatever situation presents itself.

This lovely book presents the wisdom of Chuanzi through about 78 enlightening metaphorical stories.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You, too, can understand the Tao, March 9, 2001

By 

Missing in Action (Idaho Falls, Idaho USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Zhuangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature (Paperback)

The Chinese Tao is not easily accessible to the Western mind because culturally, historically, linguistically and philosophically, the eastern mind sees the world differently. What Chih-Chung Tsai (CC Tsai) and Brian Bruya have done is provide insights to Taoism that are easily accessed by you and me living in the western world. The illustrations, while simple, assist in bridging the gap between east and west. This is a mind treat, something you give yourself because, well, it's just pleasant. At the same time, it's profound, tapping into thousands of years of wisdom, coming from the Tao's most famous commentator Chuang-tzu (Zhuangzi in pinyin). Each story, generally only a page or two and seldom more than 150 words, strikes at the heart with the accuracy of an archer's arrow. If you are at all curious about what the Tao might mean to you, this is a delightful way to begin to take a peak. If you are already familiar with the concepts of Taoism, you may find this a refreshing new look at an ancient awareness.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasic book on Daoism, May 23, 2003

By 

Adam West (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zhuangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature (Paperback)

This book is a great primer on Daoism. At the same time, the illustrations are often downright funny. The comic format makes it perfect for the compulsively busy friend you want to give some Daoist inspiration. I've read though this book countless times and always seem to find some new insight every time I pick it up. It is worth every penny.