Introduction and Notes for a Complete Translation of the Chuang Tzu

Victor H. Mair, "Introduction and Notes for a Complete Translation of the Chuang Tzu"
Chapter 4
1. Yen Hui (29). Confucius' favorite pupil (also called Yen Yuan). Master Chuang is
playing tricks here by having Confucius speak like a Taoist.
2. fame (30). A more literal translation would be "name. "
3. Kuan Lungp'ang (31). A worthy minister. Ditto for Pikan.
4. Chieh (31). A tyrant of high antiquity. Ditto for Chon.
5. Ts'ungchih, etc. (31). Small countries.
6. son of heaven (31). The ruler.
7. emptiness (32). This is reminiscent of the Indian concept of Sonya or lnvatZi, which is
the void or nothingness conceived as a symbol of brahman (the divine reality of the
universe). In Buddhist Hybrid Chinese, the same word used by Chuang Tzu here for
"emptiness" w) is used to translate Sanskrit iiinvat3.
8. 'galloping while sitting' (33). The mind runs wild even though the physical body may
be seated.
9. Fuhsi- and Chich'ii (33). Two mythical culture heroes.
10. Sir High (33). She Kung Tzukao, a minister of the southern kingdom of Ch'u.
1 1. Ch'i (33). A powerful northern kingdom.
12. dislocation of yin and yang (33). Even the successful emissary will become ill through
anxiety or elation.
13. precepts (34). This is reminiscent of Sanskrit ("restraint, discipline, preceptw)
which was translated in Buddhist Hybrid Chinese by the same word used here, chieh.
14. destiny (34). This could also be rendered as "fate. "
15. duty (34). Usually translated elsewhere in this book as "righteousness."
16. Legal Counsels (35). Could this be an oblique reference to one of the many
dharmafhtra, such as the codes of Manu and Yajiiavalkya? These ancient Indian lawbooks
share many of the same concerns expressed by Chuang Tzu at various places in his book.
The closest parallels with this extended passage featuring pseudo-Confucius, however, are
with the ArthaSgstra of Kauiilya.
17. Yen Ho (36). A worthy scholar of the state of Lu in the employ of the state of Wey.