Non-Western Religious Traditions 11/1/12 Prof.

Oliver

Eric Gilston

Zhaungzi
The overarching principle of freedom is expressed throughout the entirety of the Zhaungzi text and as according to the translator Watson, The central theme of the Zhaungzi, may be summed up in a single word: freedom. He follows adding that the ancient Chinese philosophers were attempting to answer this question of how man is suppose to make sense of a world that does not make sense to him; being filled with pain, suffering, chaos. Indeed a dilemma arises within Zhaungzi answer to the previous question, which is free yourself from the world, that becomes the focal point of discussion to what the concept of freedom exactly entails here.1 But the concept becomes clarified through section six of the Zhaungzi text as the author considers the seemingly contradictory elements of life, which circumscribe our freedom. Such that the attempt herein is to convey the meaning and concept of freedom from the viewpoint of section six as the author intended it to be. Thus the argument made henceforth is that freedom in the Zhaungzi text alludes to a certain state of being/non-being; where the Perfect Man transcends the contradictory elements of life in as much that he does not recognize these dualities in the world or himself, for he is one that confines in the Way. This notion of a state of being/non-being is clearly illustrated in section six when four Masters converse with each other proclaiming, Who can look upon nonbeing as his head, on life as his back, and on death as his rump? they said. Who knows that life and death, existence and annihilation, are all a single body? I will be his friend!2 The concept of non-being here could in one sense be understood as freedom or rather freeing from bound, that which confines one viewpoint of existence within categories of opposing elements. And so this perspective becomes the chains that bind him to the dualities with which is his reality.3 Therefore freedom in this sense of the Zhaungzi text is a state of nonbeing that one subsides therein. Where it is only after one transcends the dualistic categories of life by recognizing that they are non-existent as they are subject to change. When one stumbles upon this epiphany, and then unites as well as purifies his body with original breath, and begins the process of merging his inner-self with the Way (Dao) delighting in every moment of his transcendence; will one become a Perfect Man. This is concept of freedom of nonbeing is clearly illustrated when Confucius states, Even now they have joined with the creator as men wander in the single breath of heaven and earth.4 Another important feature intricately developed within the concept of freedom referred to here as Non-being is what ancient Chinese mystics and philosopher called wuwei. This is neither action nor inaction, but an effortless being with which one delights in, yet is not emotionally attached to the spontaneous process of merging ones inner-self with the Dao, thus becoming the Perfect Man. To help understand this concept more clearly it would be wise to articulate wuwei symbolic parallel to water, as Confucius states, Fish thrive in water, man thrives in the Way. For those that thrive in water, dig a pond and they will find nourishment enough. For those that thrive in the Way, dont bother them and their lives will be secure. So it is
1 2

Watson, Burton. Zhuangzi Basic Writings. New York: Columbia University Press, 2003. (p. 3) Ibid. (p. 80) 3 Ibid. (p. 81) 4 Ibid. (p. 83)

said, the fish forget each other in the rivers and lakes, and men forget each other in the arts of the Way.5 In this quote a clear concept of nonbeing is articulated through the Perfect Man being entirely consumed by the Way, in which he, although being just another fish in the lake, begins to forget that there are other fish because he merges his being with water - in this sense Dao. As such he forgets he is even a fish by transforming oneself with the Way, and so in this forgetting he becomes subject only to the process of the Way. Following this parable Confucius goes further to explain that, The singular man is singular in comparison to other men, but a companion of Hevean. (Ibid.) Yet herein lies the problem inherent in the concept of freedom, or nonbeing, which in the Zhaungzi text appears to confuse both translator and Confucius apprentices. Interestingly enough, in the text preceding the above parable Confucius states that, I am one of those men punished by Heaven, which is clearly bringing the aspects of fate or predestination into the concept of freedom.6 Where Confucius is admitting that he is confined to a viewpoint of dualities that he cannot escape from reputation or fame, which are the chains heaven has bound him into, as a punishment for his former live evil conduct.7 Therefore the Perfect Man is not concerned about the fates of others but rather he is utterly consumed by the Way, in which the Creator becomes his father. So the problem that revolves around True/Perfect Man undoubtedly pertains to how one might obtain freedom, if freedom itself is subject to pre-destination, or matters of individual provenance. However, if we are to read the concept of freedom correctly, in terms of section six, one may easily start the process of merging the inner-self with the way by starting with the breath in which one begins to see that all things are one and the same. To which owes his/her emancipation by the process of expunging any dualistic concepts of elements that circumscribe life, only then will one be free to embody the mind of non-being, but and at the same being one with the Way. It seems again that words cannot capture the innermost cosmic principles that are inherent within the ancient Chinese mystic and philosophers concept of the way, which is precisely the path to freedom itself. Ultimately Yoda seems to have hit the nail on the head telling Luke, In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.8

5 6

Ibid. (p. 83-84) Ibid. (p. 83) 7 Ibid. (p. 67) 8 "Yoda Quotes." Spiritual Guidance. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.free-spiritualguidance.com/Yoda-Quotes.html>.