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

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910812242003321
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: Albany, : State University of New York Press, c2011
• ISBN: 1-4384-3457-X; 1-4416-9231-2
• Descrizione fisica: vii, 264 p
• Collana: SUNY series in Chinese philosophy and culture
• Altri autori (Persone): DippmannJeffrey Walter; LittlejohnRonnie <1949->
• Disciplina: 299.5/1482
• Soggetti: Chinese literature - History and criticism
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Nota di contenuto: 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
• Sommario/riassunto: 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.