Riding the wind with Liezi : new perspectives on the Daoist classic / edited by Ronnie Littlejohn and Jeffrey Dippmann.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Dippmann, Jeffrey Walter.

Littlejohn, Ronnie, 1949-

Series:

SUNY series in Chinese philosophy and culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Chinese literature--History and criticism.

Chinese literature.

Liezi, active 4th century B.C. Liezi.

Liezi.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (vii, 264 pages.)

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York Press, c2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The Liezi is the forgotten classic of Daoism. Along with the Laozi (Daodejing) and the Zhuangzi, it's been considered a Daoist masterwork since the mid-eighth century, yet unlike those well-read works, the Liezi is little known and receives scant scholarly attention. Nevertheless, the Liezi is an important text that sheds valuable light on the early history of Daoism, particularly the formative period of sectarian Daoism. We do not know exactly what shape the original text took, but what remains is replete with fantastic characters, whimsical tales, paradoxical aphorisms, and philosophically sophisticated reflection on the nature of the world and humanity's place within it. Ultimately, the Liezi sees the world as one of change and indeterminacy.Arguing for the Liezi's historical, philosophical, and literary significance, the contributors to this volume offer a fresh look at this text, using contemporary approaches and providing novel insights. The volume is unique in its attention to both philosophical and religious perspectives.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Liezi Text

Reading the Liezi

The Liezi’s Use of the Lost Zhuangzi

Is the Liezi an Encheiridion?

Interpretive Essays

Torches of Chaos and Doubt

The That-Beyond-Which of the Pristine Dao

The Theme of Unselfconsciousness in the Liezi

Reading the Zhuangzi in Liezi

Applying the Teachings of the Liezi

Body and Identity

I, Robot

Dancing with Yinyang

How To Fish Like a Daoist

When Butterflflies Change into Birds

Contributors

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781438434575

143843457X

9781441692313

1441692312

OCLC:

719371224