This Zhuangzi ‑ Tianyun excerpt explores cosmic spontaneous transformation. Through fables like straw dogs and Dongshi’s imitation, it criticizes rigid outdated rituals, urging people to follow the ever‑changing Dao rather than copy the past.
Confucius (551–479 BC) was a thinker, statesman, and educator of the late Spring and Autumn period, as well as the founder of the Confucian school of thought. Born Kong Qiu, with the courtesy name Zhongni, he was a native of Zouyi in the State of Lu (located in present-day southeast Qufu, Shandong Province).