The Existential analysis of "Wang 忘" in Zhuangzi's Philosophy

• Main Authors: Yu Chi-Yi, 游佳儀
• Other Authors: Wu Zhi-Xue
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/07621480110981844131

碩士 === 華梵大學 === 哲學系碩士班 === 98 === Zhuangzi was born in a period filled with wars and conflicts as people of that time were chasing fame and fortune, the values were all twisted, nobles of aristocratic background at that time were living a life described as “kitchen was filled with lavish meats, stables were home to well-kept horses”, however, the life of common people was more like “famine and starvation could be seen on people’s faces”, “people were cannibalizing one another”, “monarchs were being killed by their subjects, fathers were killed by their sons”, “parents suffered from starvation, families being torn apart”, Zhuangzi described that period of time as: “A world of chaos, no clear sign of wise characters, no rule of ethics and virtues, everyone was being selfish and self-centered, everyone was looking out for his or her own interests”, despite being in a time lack of clear distinction between right and wrong plus restlessness was in the mind of everyone, Zhuangzi was still able to maintain calm and not get sucked in the wave of corrupted souls by remaining true to his beliefs, he even managed to write down the doctrines with respect to the path leading to a life of righteousness, there was no doubt that he has his own way of self-governance which was in fact pertaining to the respective method and approach of achieving that objective. To actually practice his teaching, it was necessary to spend extensive efforts in laying the foundation, Zhuangzi had placed great deal of emphasis on the power of “mind”, Zhuangzi had integrated practicing the doctrines in everyday life as they lead the way for the minds to reach a state of contentment described as “my existence is between heaven and earth, everything in life has become part of me.” (Theory of Equal beings). This article is to conduct an in-depth examination at the idea of “sit and neglect” proposed by Zhuangzi in the book of “The Great Masters” in hopes of understanding the practice of self-governance and achieving the state of “negligence” from a philosophical perspective. In the book of “Zhuangzi”, the concept of “neglect” was mentioned in more than 80 occasions, Zhuangzi’s view on “neglect” is a deliberate effort by an individual, so whenever Zhuangzi discussed “neglect”, he usually went straight to the ideology behind this concept, through practicing “neglect” an individual achieve integrating mind and body, to become part of everything else in life, to become one with the energy of nature and ultimately reaching a state of free spirit and fluidity. Zhuangzi had given many meanings to the word “neglect”. In the book of “Journey to Contentment”, individuals at the highest level of spiritual ladder had all been able to remain calm and to keep a mind of serenity by neglecting fame and fortune. The idea of “death of self” as mentioned in the book of “Theory of Equal Beings”, “pure heart” in the book of “All Things in Life”, “The Transition from Chef to Sage” in the book of “way of life” had all demonstrated the practice of “neglect” to the highest level. This article aims to approach self-governance from studying the paths leading to that state as well as from the perspective of how Zhuangzi determining right and wrong, his objective opinion on ethics and doctrines governing the etiquettes and norms of associating with others, even Zhuangzi’s views when facing matters like life and death…all through analysis of the practice of “neglect” in hopes of understanding the term of “fish become oblivious in a lake, people become oblivious in practicing the way of Tao”, the article even takes a further step in understanding how Zhuangzi could use “neglect” in leading people through the critical points of life and to use “neglect” in passing on the torch of life down to future generations.