Zhuangzi Speaks

More about the book

During a time of political and social upheaval in China, the insights of the Daoist sage Zhuangzi (369?-286? B.C.) offered a path to natural living. Inspired by Zhuangzi's wisdom, Taiwanese cartoonist Tsai Chih Chung created a bestselling comic book that brings his key parables to life, translating Zhuangzi's enlightening sayings into modern Chinese. Tsai's work made the core parts of Zhuangzi accessible to millions of Chinese speakers who might not otherwise engage with this significant Daoist text. Now translated into English by Brian Bruya, the comic book reaches a Western audience, featuring the classical Chinese text in the margins. Through playful illustrations and the translation, readers are encouraged to embrace spontaneity, letting go of presuppositions and ambitions to attune themselves to the music of nature. Alongside Laozi's writings, Zhuangzi's philosophy has profoundly influenced Chinese culture, impacting painting, literature, and martial arts, and significantly shaping Chan Buddhism (Japanese Zen). An afterword by Donald Munro provides historical and cultural context for Daoism and the Zhuangzi, enriching the reader's understanding of its enduring legacy.