Topic: Chuang Tzu

[Nichi]

The Tao--when Life is full

In the Age when life on earth was full
no one paid any special attention to worthy men,
nor did they single out the man of ability.

Rulers were simply the highest branches on the trees
and the people were like deer in the woods.

They were honest and righteous without realising that
they were “doing their duty.”

They loved each other and did not know
this was “love of neighbour.”

They deceived no one yet did not know
they were “men to be trusted.”

They were reliable and did not know that
this was “good faith.”

They lived freely together giving and taking
and did not know they were generous.

For this reason their deeds have not been narrated.
They made no history.

~~Chang Tsu
Tr. Thomas Merton

[Michael]

Nice one V - esp for Christmas.

I wonder if that's 'the' Thomas?

[Nichi]

Chi Hsing-tzu was raising a fighting cock for his lord. After ten days, the lord asked, “Is he ready?”  Chi answered, “No, sir, he is still vain and flushed with rage.” Ten days passed, and the prince asked about the cock. Chi said, “Not yet, sir. He is on the alert whenever he hears another cock crowing.”

When the prince’s inquiry came again, Chi replied, “Not quite yet, sir. His sense of fighting is still smoldering within him.” When another ten days elapsed, Chi said to the lord: “He is almost ready. Even when he hears another crowing, he shows no excitement. He now resembles one made of wood. His qualities are integrated. No cocks are his match- they will at once run away from him.

- Chuang-tzu

[Nichi]

All existing things are really one. We regard those that are beautiful and rare as valuable, and those that are ugly as foul and rotten The foul and rotten may come to be transformed into what is rare and valuable, and the rare and valuable into what is foul and rotten.

- Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi)