{"product_id":"zhuangzi-basic-writings-9780231129596","title":"Zhuangzi: Basic Writings","description":"\u003cp\u003eOnly by inhabiting Dao (the Way of Nature) and dwelling in its unity can humankind achieve true happiness and freedom, in both life and death. This is Daoist philosophy's central tenet, espoused by the person--or group of people--known as Zhuangzi (369?-286? BCE) in a text by the same name. To be free, individuals must discard rigid distinctions between right and wrong, and follow a course of action not motivated by gain or striving. When one ceases to judge events as good or bad, man-made suffering disappears, and natural suffering is embraced as part of life. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eZhuangzi elucidates this mystical philosophy through humor, parable, and anecdote, using non sequitur and even nonsense to illuminate truths beyond the boundaries of ordinary logic. Boldly imaginative and inventively written, the \u003ci\u003eZhuangzi\u003c\/i\u003e floats free of its historical period and society, addressing the spiritual nourishment of all people across time. One of the most justly celebrated texts of the Chinese tradition, the \u003ci\u003eZhuangzi\u003c\/i\u003e is read by thousands of English-language scholars each year, yet, until now, only in the Wade-Giles romanization. Burton Watson's conversion to pinyin in this book brings the text in line with how Chinese scholars, and an increasing number of other scholars, read it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBurton Watson has taught at Columbia, Stanford, and Kyoto Universities and is one of the world's best-known translators of Chinese and Japanese works. His translations include \u003ci\u003eThe Demon at Agi Bridge and Other Japanese Tales\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Analects of Confucius\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e The Tales of the Heike\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Lotus Sutra\u003c\/i\u003e; the writings of Mozi, Xunzi, and Han Feizi; \u003ci\u003eThe Columbia Book of Chinese Poetry\u003c\/i\u003e; and Sima Qian's \u003ci\u003eRecords of the Grand Historian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Columbia University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50649772491026,"sku":"9780231129596","price":30.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_03538367-331a-4188-b0da-7d650a76a720.jpg?v=1733273182","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/zhuangzi-basic-writings-9780231129596","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}