Chuang Tzu (pronounced "Juang Suh") was to Lao Tzu as Saint Paul was to Jesus. Chuang Tzu lived about one hundred years after Lao Tzu, in about 300 B.C.E. Chuang Tzu's astounding view of reality took the Taoist philosophy to a new level. It is mainly due to his writings of that Taoism is often referred to as the only philosophy of antiquity with a sense of humour. The book containing his writings is simply called 'Chuang Tzu, The Inner Chapters'. His book is full of wild paradoxes and tongue-in-cheek exaggerations.
Unlike Lao Tzu, who many academics consider to be a fictitious character, Chuang Tzu was definitely a historical figure. Chuang Tzu was a Master at one of the many language schools in ancient China. Interestingly, neither Lao Tzu or Chuang Tzu ever referred to themselves as Taoists. The term 'Taoist' wasn't coined until hundreds of years after their deaths. They were dubbed 'Taoists' by Chinese academics about the first century A.D., when they set about categorising the great philosophers of China. In their era, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu were simply offering an opposing view to Confucius, whose views they considered very contrived and artificial. Confucianism is very conservative, prudish and pedantic.
Chuang Tzu demonstrates his philosophy in a series of short stories, some of which are nothing less than bizarre. His stories include mythical animals, talking trees and a host of both fictional and real characters, which often included himself. One of Chuang Tzu's favourite stunts was to incorporate Confucius into his stories. These stories usually ended with Confucius being bamboozled or outwitted by a Taoist.
Chuang Tzu addressed death in a way not seen in any other religion or philosophy. He asks us why we view death with such trepidation? He remarks "how do we know that the dead are not amazed that they ever clung to life?" Why do we always assume that death is a terrible thing? In the words of Chuang Tzu, "death is natural and beyond the interference of men". Apart from the recycling of our elements, neither Chuang Tzu or Lao Tzu ever commented on what happens to us after death. They simply told us to trust Nature in death as we trusted Nature in life. It seems logical that if we have complete faith in Nature in life, we should also have the same faith in Nature in death.
Chuang Tzu also attempts to get us to see things from the perspective of Nature. He noted that humans always think if something has no purpose in the human view, it is useless. He gives an example of a huge old tree with branches that were twisted and heavily knotted. Carpenters frequently passed the tree complaining of its uselessness, since it couldn't be used for timber. Chuang Tzu explains the tree's perceived uselessness is precisely why it has survived longer and grown taller than any other tree in the area. He then points out that the tree does have a useful purpose, if it is used the correct way. It provides shade from the sun on a hot summer's day.
Chuang Tzu tells how he was once asked to govern a province in ancient China. This position would provide Chuang Tzu with power and privilege that most could only dream of. Many would have seen this as an excellent opportunity for Chuang Tzu to improve the lives of his country men. But Chuang Tzu understood things can never be fully controlled. He also knew that trying to control things only serves to increase the possibility of evil. He therefore refused to accept the position; preferring a stressless life of freedom.
Chuang Tzu gets us to contemplate our own reality with his famous butterfly story. He tells how he once dreamed he was a butterfly, only to wake and realise he was Chuang Tzu. He then wondered if he really was Chuang Tzu? Or was he a butterfly dreaming he was Chuang Tzu? How can we be certain we are experiencing reality as it actually is? Relativity theory has proven that we live in a world where the things that seem most reliable; the systematic progression of time and the solidness of material objects; are illusions. In the words of Chuang Tzu, "Often while we dream we are not aware that we are dreaming. One day there will be a great awakening when we will all know this is a great dream."
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