Yang Chu's Garden of Pleasure: The Philosophy of Individuality

by Rosemary Brant (Editor)

The ancient wanderer Yang Chu's philosophy is published for the first time in modern English in this series of debates about makings of the good life. Yang Chu, known alternately as "the philosopher of pleasure and contentment," has a deep concern with enjoying life to the fullest and argues that true egoism does not center on seeking fame or glory, but rather the development of the individual. By allowing the inner voice and senses to grow, Yang Chu explains, the ability to take pleasure in the simple aspects of life grows as well.

Genres: Spirituality

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is hard to explain why Yang Chu appears in a chapter of the profoundly Daoist text Liezi. But someone included his teachings, passed down orally, in a chapter called Garden of Pleasures. I like to think a rogue ancient hedonist editor slipped a scroll in when no one was looking. Also, I’m not sure why gardens are associated with those who revel in the present. Epicurus, about 100 years later and about 5000 miles away, taught his students in his garden. I’m sure it is no coincidence that those who surround themselves in delicate, seasonal and fragrant life recognize the limited time we have to sense beauty.

As can be expected, there is a freedom, and unapologetic selfishness, to Yang Chu’s words that are more striking given the balance duty of other prevailing thought at the time expounded by Confucianism and Daoism. However, there is a similar thread in that the dangers of ego are fended off. The happy life is a simple life with simple pleasures. A lesson we all have been told and we all tend to forget.

There are four things which do not allow people to rest:
Long Life. Reputation. Status. Wealth.

Those who have these four things fear dead men and living men, power and punishment. They are always fugitives. Whether they are killed or whether they live, they spend their lives being controlled by external forces.

People who do not try to live in defiance of the natural life do not desire a long life. Those who are not fond of honor do now want reputation.

Those who do not want power do not want status.

Those who are not greedy do not acquire wealth.

It can be truthfully be said that this type of man lives in accordance with his nature. In all of the world, he is unique.

Chapter 17. The Four Chimeras. Pg. 82.

[Noah Letner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it again and better the second time. A rare document of an old philopher's thoughts along the lines of the old Greek Epicurus.

[Denis Farley]

Interesting.