Daoist View In Chuang Tzu's 'Basic Writings'
This society encourages taking action and working hard to make reality what one wants, and it calls that happiness. These actions are not in accordance with the Daoist view, however. In Basic Writings by Chuang Tzu, he uses anecdotes and metaphors to teach Dao, which is a blend of philosophy and religion that was created in ancient China. Since it is an unspeakable way, Chuang Tzu tells stories to give an idea of what Dao is about. The Daoist world view consists of simple,consistent practices that are hard to carry out, but bring about true happiness. It is conflicting to tell what the Daoist world-view is but through stories, insight is given as to what actions are Dao. One of the biggest points is to not focus on the world of 10,000 things,
…show more content…
Saying that his words are Dao would only contradict the key idea that Dao is indescribable; so, he is being consistent. When he begins to tell of Daoist views, he never explicitly says what they are but rather points out the problem with language, hierarchy, and getting caught up in the world of 10,000 things. The first sense of Dao that is introduced is through a metaphor and Cuang Tzu uses contradictions in the sizes of the animals to show the distrust in language. He tells stories rather than definitions. Even within his stories nothing ever contradicts. When his wife dies, he morns and then carries on. To continue to be sad would go against trusting in life, effortless effort, and having no hierarchies. He approaches death like any other issue, with equanimity. Chuang Tzu is found pounding on a tub after his wife died and to the common eye that seems disrespectful and random. However, since he has a Daoist mindset he is able to do whatever arises next; it is not selfish, random, nor rude. All the actions he describes go hand-in-hand and are congruent. It is hard to point out a thing and not mistake it for the thing itself, but Chuang Tzu does it well. His tone is never persuading, so it is easy to trust that the actions that describe Dao are honest and true to it. Chuang Tzu portrays Dao well and does not concern himself with converting people to
Saying that his words are Dao would only contradict the key idea that Dao is indescribable; so, he is being consistent. When he begins to tell of Daoist views, he never explicitly says what they are but rather points out the problem with language, hierarchy, and getting caught up in the world of 10,000 things. The first sense of Dao that is introduced is through a metaphor and Cuang Tzu uses contradictions in the sizes of the animals to show the distrust in language. He tells stories rather than definitions. Even within his stories nothing ever contradicts. When his wife dies, he morns and then carries on. To continue to be sad would go against trusting in life, effortless effort, and having no hierarchies. He approaches death like any other issue, with equanimity. Chuang Tzu is found pounding on a tub after his wife died and to the common eye that seems disrespectful and random. However, since he has a Daoist mindset he is able to do whatever arises next; it is not selfish, random, nor rude. All the actions he describes go hand-in-hand and are congruent. It is hard to point out a thing and not mistake it for the thing itself, but Chuang Tzu does it well. His tone is never persuading, so it is easy to trust that the actions that describe Dao are honest and true to it. Chuang Tzu portrays Dao well and does not concern himself with converting people to