As free, interpretive readings, this book is very much Thomas Merton's own, the result of five years of reading, study and meditation. Chuang Tzu, the most spiritual of the classic Chinese philosophers, is the chief historical spokesman for Taoism. Through his writings and those of other Taoist sages, Indian Buddhism was transformed in China into what is now known by its Japanese name - Zen. The Chinese sage abounds in wit, paradox, satire and insight into the true ground of being. The book is illustrated by the line drawings from "The Tao Book of Painting".