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The Way of Chuang Tzu (Second Edition)

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The Way of Chuang Tzu (Second Edition)

Written by: Thomas Merton
Narrated by: Greg Chun
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About this listen

Classic writings from the great Zen master in exquisite versions by Thomas Merton, with a preface by his holiness the Dalai Lama, now in audio for the first time.

Working from existing translations, Thomas Merton composed a series of his own versions of the classic sayings of Chuang Tzu, the most spiritual of Chinese philosophers. Chuang Tzu, who wrote in the fourth and third centuries BC, is the chief authentic historical spokesperson for Taoism and its founder, Lao Tzu (a legendary character known largely through Chuang Tzu’s writings). Indeed, it was because of Chuang Tzu and the other Taoist sages that Indian Buddhism was transformed, in China, into the unique vehicle we now call by its Japanese name: Zen.

The Chinese sage abounds in wit and paradox and shattering insights into the true ground of being. Thomas Merton, no stranger to Asian thought, brings a vivid, modern idiom to the timeless wisdom of Tao.

©1965 The Abbey of Gethsemani (P)2018 New Directions Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts Poetry Taoism World Literature China Classics
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If you're making an audiobook on a Classic Chinese philosopher and talking about the people and the historical facts around the time he was in, the author and narrator should really do some research on how to pronunce the terms and names according to the mandarin Chinese pronunciation which is the most common pronunciation. Otherwise, it's really hard to understand what you are talking about or referring to, especially for someone who learned the philosophy in Chinese.

Here is an example. In the book, it mentioned "Ju philosophers". I was so confused for a long time. I couldn't understand why Chuan Tzu and Confucius have anything to do with "Jew" philosophers. I then found the ebook and realized the author was talking about 'Ru' philosophers of Confucius. "Ju" is the Japanese pronunciation of Ru.

I know for some listeners both of these are Asian languages they dont understand. but you cant find any "Ju philosopher" info on Google, let alone doing more research. I do feel the research has to be more detailed on this type of language issue when it comes to a book about a famous Chinese philosopher even though Thomas Merton did have a disclaimer that he wrote this book for spiritual exploration.

Pronunciation of Chinese Terms

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