This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Yufu retells the fisher‑sage’s dialogue with Confucius. It advocates “honouring authenticity”, warning against artificial worldly rituals that drain one’s inborn genuine nature.
This Zhuangzi ‑ Da Sheng (Understanding Life) chapter stresses nourishing vital Qi rather than just the body. It features parables like the hunchback cicada‑catcher and the wooden cock, advocating naturalness, focus and wu‑wei.
This Zhuangzi ‑ Zhile (Perfect Happiness) chapter argues true happiness lies in wu‑wei. Featuring famous tales like Zhuangzi singing over his wife’s death and the seabird parable, it teaches accepting natural life‑death transformation.
This Zhuangzi ‑ Qiushui (Autumn Floods) excerpt uses He Bo and Sea God’s dialogue to teach relativism of size and values. It includes well‑known parables like the well‑frog and the fish‑joy debate, urging humility and natural spontaneity.
Shan Juan was a worthy man of antiquity. Emperor Yao heard that he had attained the Dao and thus faced north to study under him as a teacher. After Yao completed his reign, Shun also offered to yield the world to Shan Juan.
Nie Que was a man from the time of Emperor Yao. Xu You was the disciple of Nie Que.
Tao Yuanming (365–427CE) was a poet of the Eastern Jin dynasty. Also known as Tao Qian, with the courtesy name Yuanliang, he was given the posthumous private honorific title “Jingjie.” He was from Chaisang, Xunyang (in present-day southwestern Jiujiang, Jiangxi). He held several official posts, including Chief Sacrificial Wine Officer of Jiangzhou, Military Advisor…