Below is a selection of original passages from Zhuangzi (庄子) in classical Chinese and Zen poems in Japanese, paired with translations. I’ll focus on the themes of emptiness and the “worthless old tree” from Zhuangzi, along with iconic Zen poems.
I. Zhuangzi’s “Worthless Old Tree” (Chinese Original)
From 《庄子·逍遥游》(Free and Easy Wandering):
Original Chinese:
匠石之齐，至于曲辕，见栎社树。其大蔽数千牛，絜之百围，其高临山十仞而后有枝，其可以为舟者旁十数。观者如市，匠伯不顾，遂行不辍。弟子厌观之，走及匠石，曰：“自吾执斧斤以随夫子，未尝见材如此其美也。先生不肯视，行不辍，何邪？”曰：“已矣，勿言之矣！散木也。以为舟则沉，以为棺椁则速腐，以为器则速毁，以为门户则液樠，以为柱则蠹。是不材之木也，无所可用，故能若是之寿。”
Translation:
Carpenter Shi traveled to Qi and saw a sacred oak tree. It was so massive it could shelter thousands of cattle, its trunk a hundred arm-spans thick, towering over the mountains with branches starting only at eighty feet. Crowds marveled, but the carpenter ignored it and walked on. His apprentice asked, “Why dismiss such a magnificent tree?” The carpenter replied, “It’s useless wood (散木). Boats made from it would sink, coffins would rot, tools would break, doors would ooze sap, and pillars would attract termites. Its worthlessness is why it lives so long.”
Key Idea:
Uselessness (wu yong 无用) becomes a virtue—by avoiding human exploitation, the tree achieves longevity. Zhuangzi critiques society’s obsession with utility.
II. Zhuangzi on Emptiness (Chinese Original)
From 《庄子·应帝王》(The Way of Kings):
Original Chinese:
至人之用心若鏡，不將不迎，應而不藏，故能勝物而不傷。
Translation:
“The mind of the sage is like a mirror—it grasps nothing, regrets nothing, reflects without storing. Thus, it prevails over all things without harm.”
Key Idea:
Emptiness (xu 虚) here is a state of mental clarity and detachment. The mirror metaphor emphasizes non-attachment and spontaneous responsiveness.
III. Zen Poems (Japanese Original)
1. Matsuo Bashō (松尾芭蕉):
Original Japanese:
古池や
蛙飛び込む
水の音
Transliteration:
Furu ike ya / kawazu tobikomu / mizu no oto
Translation:
Old pond— a frog jumps in, the sound of water.
2. Ikkyū Sōjun (一休宗純):
Original Japanese:
無心の
木の下にて
春を待つ
Transliteration:
Mushin no / ki no shita nite / haru o matsu
Translation:
Under the mindless tree, I wait for spring— no thoughts, no self.
3. Anonymous Zen Poem:
Original Japanese:
月さびよ
明智が妻の
話せむ
Transliteration:
Tsuki sabiyo / Akechi ga tsuma no / hanasemu
Translation:
Moon, grow lonely— let the wife of Akechi speak her sorrow.
IV. Lao Tzu’s Emptiness (For Context)
Though you asked for Zhuangzi, Lao Tzu’s famous line on emptiness from the Tao Te Ching (Chapter 11) is often referenced alongside Zhuangzi:
Original Chinese:
埏埴以為器，當其無，有器之用。
Translation:
Knead clay to make a vessel; it is the space within that makes it useful.
Key Takeaways
- Zhuangzi’s “Worthless Tree”: Uselessness as a form of liberation from societal demands.
- Emptiness in Zhuangzi: A mirror-like mind, free from clinging and judgment.
- Zen Poems: Moments of satori (sudden insight) through nature’s simplicity.🌳