Explanation of "Zhuangzi", read each chapter.

Text:

Notes:

1 Baishe Chongju: It describes thick calluses on the heels after walking a long way.

2 Abandoned sister: sister, still ambiguous, here refers to not loving things.

Explanation:

This chapter describes a conversation between Shi Chengqi and Lao Dan.

Shi Chengqi went to see Lao Dan to ask for help. When she saw that Lao Dan didn’t cherish the food and kept eating all the food, she said a few words to him and felt that she had found the wrong person. Generally speaking, even if a person's behavior is correct or not, he has his own reasons; when facing accusations from others, he should respond. But Lao Dan was "indifferent". Unexpectedly, Shi Chengqi became "righteous" (enlightened and gave up the past resentment).

What does this mean? Somewhat like the silent meditation technique of Zen Buddhism. When we met for the second time, Lao Dan spoke. Why didn't you say anything the first time? Lao Dan said that he was not a "wise and holy person". The latter is good at teaching others through words, like Confucius. It’s not that Taoists and Zhuangzi didn’t use words to explain to others, but that their words were full of deconstruction and had the feeling of clearing away the fog and seeing the clouds.

"In the past, when you called me an ox, you called me an ox, and when you called me a horse, you called me a horse. To be honest, people can't bear the name, and then suffer the consequences. I will always obey. "I don't have to be convinced by being convinced." These words are Lao Dan's deconstruction of famous sayings and names. In his view, calling cows and horses are "people's names"; it doesn't matter whether they have a name or not, as long as they are real. Not only that, it would be a mistake to refer to something by its name even if it is real. ("Suffer the same disaster again") For people in this world, famous quotes can help people distinguish things and express themselves, which is of great benefit and no harm. Is this really the case? We think of "viewing with Taoism". The words "Taoism", together with the famous sayings, have the ultimate matrix of words. However, "one and words are two", and differentiation occurs due to the existence of "words". That is, the beginning of differentiation. This is no longer Lao Dan’s ideal state. Therefore, it is said later that "I am convinced and always convinced, but I am not convinced by my submission." "I am convinced by my submission" is the state of Taichu, and there is no need for famous quotes; "I am convinced by my submission" is putting the cart before the horse and relying on famous quotes to regulate itself.

There is a vivid metaphor in the last paragraph, saying that Shi Chengqi is like a "stealer" at the border. "Steal" means stealing, that is, a thief. Thieves look for others and despise themselves. They value cleverness but lose their nature. Why do you say they are people from the border? The border still belongs to the country (self), but it is far away from the center (nature). Therefore, saying that Shi Chengqi "thought he didn't believe it" is not a real person.