Author Description

Book Description: "The Taoist book Zhuangzi was named after its purported author. Since 742 CE, when Emperor Xuanzong of Tang mandated honorific titles for Taoist texts, it has also been known as the Nan hua zhen jing, literally meaning "True Classic of Southern (Cultural) Florescence," alluding to the tradition that Zhuangzi came from South China. Another explanation is that the place that Zhuangzi was born was placed within the administrative unit Nan hua County during Tang dynasty. The text is a composite of writings from various sources. The traditional view is that Zhuangzi himself wrote the first seven chapters (the "inner chapters") and his students and related thinkers were responsible for the other parts (the "outer" and "miscellaneous" chapters). Strong proof of direct authorship by Zhuangzi of any of the text is difficult. The recension by Guo Xiang (circa 300 CE) is the basis for practically all extant editions of the Zhuangzi. The inner chapters have great grammatical and conceptual coherence and are believed to have been primarily written by one hand, even if not by Zhuangzi himself. Zhuangzi has been categorized as a "Taoist" by the Chinese tradition, but especially in the inner chapters, he stands out from the rest. He also writes comparatively little about Tao in the inner chapters of the work, even less than Mencius and other prominent Confucians, prompting scholar A. C. Graham to note, Zhuangzi never knew he was a Daoist." (Quote from wikipedia.org) Table of Contents: Publisher's Preface; Kih Lo, Or 'perfect Enjoyment '; TÂ ShÄng, Or 'the Full Understanding Of Life'; Shan MÛ, Or 'the Tree On The Mountain'; Thien Dze-fang; Kih Pei YÛ, Or 'knowledge Rambling In The North'; KÄng-sang KhÛ; HsÜ WÛ-kwei; Zeh-yang; WÂi WÛ, Or 'what Comes From Without'; YÜ Yen, Or 'metaphorical Language'; Zang Wang, Or 'kings Who Have Wished To Resign The Throne'; TÂo Kih, Or 'the Robber Kih'; YÜeh Kien, Or 'delight In The Swor