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The Way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas Merton

The Way of Chuang Tzu

Thomas Merton, Dalai Lama XIV, Zhuangzi

New Directions Publishing · Print & ebook · March 30, 2010

A Philosophy pick for readers exploring The Way of Chuang Tzu.

Zen BuddhismTaoismTaoist Thoughtfaith
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religionspiritualitycenturytheology
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Who it’s for
A reflective doorway into Chuang Tzu, shaped for close reading and classroom use.
Genres
Taoist Thought, Taoism, Zen Buddhism
Published
New Directions Publishing, March 30, 2010

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About this book

Working from existing translations, Thomas Merton composed a series of his own versions of the classic sayings of Chuang Tzu, the most spiritual of Chinese philosophers. Chuang Tzu, who wrote in the fourth and third centuries B.C., is the chief authentic historical spokesperson for Taoism and its founder Lao Tzu (a legendary character known largely through Chuang Tzu’s writings).

Continue reading

Indeed it was because of Chuang Tzu and the other Taoist sages that Indian Buddhism was transformed, in China, into the unique vehicle we now call by its Japanese name—Zen. The Chinese sage abounds in wit and paradox and shattering insights into the true ground of being. Thomas Merton, no stranger to Asian thought, brings a vivid, modern idiom to the timeless wisdom of Tao.

Quiet Entry

A reflective doorway into Chuang Tzu, shaped for close reading and classroom use.

Come here for

  • Thomas Merton’s contemplative voice
  • A classroom-friendly companion to Chuang Tzu

Expect

  • Layered spiritual reflection
  • Philosophy, faith, and teaching value

Where it sits

Taoist Thought70%
Taoism68%
Zen Buddhism38%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Taoist Thought
  • Zen
  • Asian Poetry
Authors
Thomas Merton, Dalai Lama XIV, Zhuangzi
Publisher
New Directions Publishing
Published
March 30, 2010
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Taoist Thought