SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

emptiness

  • Zhuangzi’s Survival Wisdom for Chaos, Power, and Toxic Relationships

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    This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Renjianshi explores survival amid chaos and power. It explains key ideas: Fasting of the Mind, outward compliance, and the paradox that “uselessness brings great utility” to preserve inner integrity.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 20.2

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    This Han Feizi passage redefines Daoist emptiness and non-action. True emptiness is spontaneous mental freedom, not forced practice. Natural non-action nurtures virtue and enables effective rule.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 5.1

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    Han Fei blends Taoism and Legalism. Rulers stay calm, hide preferences, use non-action, leverage ministers’ talents, take credit, and shift blame to keep supreme power.

  • Caigentan 75. The dual cultivation

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    Man must keep his mind wide open, so that righteousness can take up its dwelling there.

  • The nun who tripped on an invisible thread

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    The nun Xuanji of Wenzhou, ordained during the Tang Jingyun era (710–711 CE), meditated in stone caves on Great Sun Mountain. One day she reflected: “Dharma-nature is inherently pure — why cling to stillness over noise?” She journeyed to meet Master Xuefeng.

  • Oven-Breaker Monk

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    A Chan master of the Tang Dynasty, disciple of National Teacher Hui’an, was unknown in name and origin. His enigmatic conduct defied understanding as he dwelt in seclusion on Songshan Mountain.

  • Dharma Buddha non-dual

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    Master Sengcan was the third patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism and a direct disciple of Master Huike, who received the Dharma from Bodhidharma. He is best known for composing the seminal work “Xinxin Ming” (“Verses on the Faith-Mind”), which emphasizes the realization of non-duality and the oneness of mind and Buddha-nature.

  • Transmitting mind to mind

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    Master Sengguang Huike (487–593 CE), often simply known as Huike, was the second patriarch of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism and a direct disciple of Bodhidharma, the founder of the school. His life and teachings played a pivotal role in establishing Chan Buddhism in China.