The Annotation And Discussion Of The Happy Excursion

The idea of the Happy Excursion, which symbolizes the consciousness of the independent individual in the history of Chinese thought and expresses an outstanding non-political ideal of life, is the soul of Zhuangzi's philosophy.The Happy Excursion has a deep and complicated influence upon the traditional intellectuals of many kinds. Studying the idea and the historical influence of it may help us understand Zhuangzi's philosophy and the spirit of traditional Chinese philosophy of life better.Most of scholars use metaphysical and transcendental methods to study the Happy Excursion, and only see it as an inner spiritual realm. But in consideration of the meaning and context of the word Xiaoyao and You, the late appearance of Xiaoyao-You as a title, the makeup and subject of the section of Xiaoyao-You, the essentials and the historical influence of Zhuangzi's philosophy, the Happy Excursion should be explain not only as an inner realm but also as actual way of individual life. More over, in the two aspects, the Happy Excursion embodies complex and interlinked dual structures, and this explains why the idea has complicated influence.Because of different historical background, concept of value and method of research, people always hold different views and comments on the idea of the Happy Excursion. In order to outline the many-sided spread of this life spirit, five typical cases are analyzed here. In view of Huanglao Taoism, Huainanzi's annotation focuses on the sage's happiness acquired by preserving his health and in political practice. In dangerous social environment, Ruanji has to escape into the Happy Excursion and behave madly or cautiously, as a disciple of Taoism or of Confucianism. Guoxiang divides the happiness of excursion into two kinds: the restricted and the unrestricted. His annotation of the idea of the Happy Excursion mixes the thoughts of Zhuangzi, Confucianism and Huanglao Taoism. As a famous monk, Zhidun's interpretation manifests distinct religious inclination. But at the same time, it has certain feature of Xuanxue. In the transit from the old to the new dynasty, Wangfuzhi still sticks to his ideal faith as a man of noble character. Therefore, he changes Zhuangzi's philosophy of life into a kind of Confucian idea, which indicates that he will never forget his duty to benefit the people and the whole world.In modern times, as the age-old spirit of life, the Happy Excursion still influences the intellectuals and their thoughts, by being criticized and being linked with liberty.