A Dialogure with Chuang-Tzu on Mysticism

Author:Wing-Chung Kwan

Abstract /

Chuang-Tzu never deliberately emphasizes that he is a mystic. Yet, his writings are filled with mystical flavor. Thismotivates us to ask: Can the doctrine he puts forward be regarded as a type of Mysticism? Here, the meaning of the idea of "Yau/Ecstatic Flowing" (遊) is investigated with the result of affirming his mystical tendency. Whereas, the notion of the "Creator" (造物者) is also studied, and we draw the conclusion that Chuang-Tzu`s mysticism is theistic in orientation, even though he also in-corporates in his system the monistic and naturalistic elements which make his writings all the more spectacular.

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