On Concept of "Shue" (Emptiness) in Lieh-Tzu

Author:Yih-Jing Lin

Abstract /

This paper divided into four parts: (i)preface; (ii)the conception of "shue" in Lieh-Tzu; (iii)The conception in Toaistic school in the Pre-Chin; (iv) conclusion. The author deals with this concept based upon the recent studies-the book of Lieh-Tzu is not an apocrypha. Lieh-Tzu conceived that the saint is the highest stage of human life. The issue is how do one achieve it. His answer is "shue." It has two denotations-"kung-fu" (drill) and the mental stage. "Shue" is not only in the realm of language and conceptual, but also in that of practice. The method of practice is by intellectual reflection and meditation from the concentration of consciousness to that of spirit. Finally, it can unify his spirit with nothing. Nothing is "tao" from the Taoistic point of view. Lieh-Tzu followed the method of the ancient Taoism in practice. But author contends that the method is derived from Lao-Tzu`s "shue" of imitating "heaven" which is different from Kuan-Yin-Tzu`s in-terpretation of it, that is, "chin" (stillness) of imitating "earth." From historical viewpoint, Lieh-Tzu dealed with the notion of "shue" in order to provide an answer to the meaninglessness of life of the people and disturbance of the society in the warring states period. The author believes that it is the right prescription for it.

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