Attaining Dao Through Gongfu: On Zhuangzi’s Xiaoyao

This thesis begins by examining the variety of meanings of the word “dao” in order to explore the essence of Zhuangzi’s thought. The word “dao” denotes the origins of being, represents the ultimate value, it also carries the meanings of ways and methods. Based on the notion of xiaoyao as the ultimate value and the theory of qi, the thesis examine the theory of gungfu in the Zhuangzi. To maintain that Zhuangzi’s theory of gungfu is based on a non-separated mind-body self, the examination of the theory of gungfu is therefore emerges as a two-sided approach. In view of xiaoyao in the world of men, we focus on the mental side of gungfu; in view of xiaoyao in the world of shenren, we focus on the bodily side of gungfu. The thesis comprises five chapters. The first chapter is devoted to explaining the subject, motivation, and method of this study, and also explicating the theoretical basis of the concept of shenren. The second chapter is an illustration of two theory: xiaoyao as the ultimate value and qi as the most subtle component of the cosmos. The third and forth chapter discuss the theory of gungfu based on the discussion set forth in the previous chapters. In the final chapter, I will present a integrated review of the two sided theory of practice discussed in chapter three and four. The chapter concludes with some reflections on the co-exist relation between xiaoyao in the world of men and xiaoyao in the world of shenren.