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“I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river.”

Chuang Tzu

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The Happiness of Fishes

Topic: Joy & Happiness

Chuang Tzu and Hui Tzu
Were crossing Hao river
By the dam.

Chuang said:
“See how free
The fishes leap and dart:
That is their happiness.”

Hui replied:
“Since you are not a fish
How do you know
What makes fishes happy?”

Chuang said:
“Since you are not I
How can you possibly know
That I do not know
What makes fishes happy?”

Hui argued:
“If I, not being you,
Cannot know what you know
It follows that you
Not being a fish
Cannot know what they know.”

Chuang said:
“Wait a minute!
Let us get back
To the original question.
What you asked me was
‘How do you know
What makes fishes happy?’
From the terms of your question
You evidently know I know
What makes fishes happy.

“I know the joy of fishes
In the river
Through my own joy, as I go walking
Along the same river.”

Chuang Tzu

Chuang Tzu, also known as Zhuang Zhou or Zhuangzi, was a luminous presence in an era of transformative thought. He lived around 350 BC, a time of remarkable intellectual ferment in China. As a Taoist philosopher, he embraced a worldview that emphasized balance, the rhythm of nature, and the pursuit of a deeply personal understanding of the universe. His teachings centered on the Tao, a profound concept that represented the underlying order and essence of the cosmos. Unraveling the mystery of the Tao was not about conquering or controlling it, but rather about aligning oneself with its fluid, natural ebb and flow.

Over the millennia, Chuang Tzu's wisdom has been distilled into a collection of sayings, passed down from generation to generation. These teachings, written with a depth and eloquence that resonates across the ages, offer a profound and transformative exploration of existence and our place within it. They invite us to question conventional wisdom, to see the world from different perspectives, and to embrace the inherent uncertainties of life. In their enchanting simplicity and their profound depth, Chuang Tzu's words hold a mirror to our deepest selves, asking us to reflect on who we are and how we relate to the world around us.

These timeless teachings of Chuang Tzu have found resonance far beyond the Taoist tradition. They have become one of the fundamental sources for Zen Buddhism, a spiritual path that shares Taoism's emphasis on mindfulness, simplicity, and the pursuit of enlightenment through direct experience. In this way, Chuang Tzu's legacy reaches across the centuries, touching lives and shaping philosophies far beyond the borders of his own time and place. His wisdom continues to illuminate the path for those seeking understanding, inviting us all to engage deeply with the mysteries of existence and our place within the cosmos.

Taoism
The Zhuangzi

Merton, Thomas. The Way of Chuang Tzu. New Directions Books, 2010, p. 44 [The Way of Chuang Tzu, Thomas Merton (New Directions Books)].

Chuang Tzu


Theme: Happiness and Well-being

About this Chuang Tzu Quote [Brief Commentary]

In Thomas Merton’s interpretation of Chuang Tzu’s dialogue with Hui Tzu, the simple yet profound exploration of happiness is elegantly presented. Through a casual observation of fish in the Hao river, Chuang Tzu initiates a thoughtful conversation on understanding happiness, not only for oneself but also for other beings. Merton’s rendering brings forth the natural flow and depth of this ancient Taoist dialogue, capturing the essence of the exchange between Chuang Tzu and Hui Tzu concerning the nature of happiness and understanding.

About this Chuang Tzu Quote [Longer Commentary]

The dialogue delves into the premise of knowing—how one perceives happiness. Hui Tzu’s skepticism about Chuang Tzu’s claim regarding the fishes’ happiness opens a discussion on the limitations and core of understanding. Chuang Tzu, with simple logic, directs the conversation to the heart of personal experience as a pathway to empathic understanding.

Chuang Tzu goes beyond the level of logical dialogue with his friend Hui Tzu and realizes a higher level of heart by saying “I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river.” Chuang Tzu transcends the dualistic debate to a state of oneness, where his own joy mirrors the perceived happiness of the fishes. This Taoist alignment with the simplicity and unforced flow of nature reveals a shared essence of happiness, rooted in the unfolding experience of dialogue and reflection while strolling in the natural world.