Classical Chinese ‖ "Pauding Jie Niu" Original and Translation/Notes

Zhuangzi (369 BC-286 BC), Ming Zhou, Han nationality, from Song Guomeng (now Mengqiangsi Village, Northeast Liangyuan District, Shangqiu City, Henan Province), thinker, philosopher, and writer of the Warring States Period, the main founder of Taoism One of the people. Zhuang Zi's ancestors descended from the Chu state. Later, due to the Wu Qi reform, the Chu state had civil strife. The ancestors escaped from Yizong and moved to Mengdi of Song state. Zhuangzi had only worked as a local lacquer garden official in his life, and he should not be hired by the king of Chu Wei because he advocated freedom. The inheritor and development of Laozi's thought. Later generations referred to him and Laozi as "Lao Zhuang". Their philosophical thinking system is respected as "Lao Zhuang Philosophy" by ideological and academic circles. Representative works are "Zhuangzi" and famous articles such as "Xiaoyaoyou" and "Qiwulun".

庖丁解牛

(Pre-Qin) Zhuang Zhou

The original text:

, Could it be midrange. The dance that fits in the "Sang Lin" is the meeting of the Chinese "Shou".

   Wenhui Jun said: "Hey, good! The skill is so good?"

  庖Ding Shidao said: "Whoever is fond of the minister, the way is also advanced by the skill. When the first minister's solution to the cow, what you see is nothing more than a cow. Three years later, I have never seen the whole cow. At this time, the officials met with the gods instead of looking at them, the officials knew to stop and the gods wanted to do. According to the law of heaven, criticize the big ones and lead the big ones, because it is true. , The technique and classics have not been tasted yet, but the situation is very awkward! Liangxuan has more knives and cuts; the clan’s moon is more knives and folds. Jinchen’s knives have been solved in 19 years, and thousands of cattle have been solved, and the blade is new. It is made in 硎. There is a gap between those who are there, and the blade is not thick; if there is no thickness, there is room for recovery. It is easy to recover. It is 19 years and if the blade is new in 硎. Although, every As for the clan, I see it is difficult, I am stunned, I regard it as a precept, and the behavior is late. The knife is very small, and the fascination has been solved, like a soil. I stand with the knife, look around for it, feel complacent for it, and hide it with a good knife. "

   Wen Huijun said: "Goodness! I heard the words of Ding Ding, I have to keep in good health."

Translation:

   Ding gave Liang Hui Wang to slaughter cattle. The place where the hand touches, the place where the shoulder rests, the place where the foot is stepped on, the place on the top of the knee, the gurgling noise, when the knife is cut, there is nothing that is out of tune: it is in line with the beat of the dance music of "Sanglin" , And in line with (Yao Shi) "Jingshou" music rhythm.

  Liang Huiwang said: "Hey, okay! How can the technology (you solve the cow) be so superb?"

  庖丁 put down the knife and replied: "What I am after is the right way. It has exceeded the average technology. At first, when I slaughtered a cow, I saw a complete cow in my eyes; after three years, I never saw a complete cow again. Now, I touch the cow with my spirit instead of seeing it with my eyes, and my senses stop The spirit is active. According to the natural structure of the cow’s physiology, cut into the gap between the bones of the cow’s body and enter the gap between the bones. According to the original structure of the cow’s body, the place where the tendons and meridians connect and the bones I haven’t touched the place with a knife before, not to mention the big bones! A skilled chef replaces a knife every year, which uses a knife to cut the muscles (just like we use a knife to cut a rope); the technique is average The chef has to replace a knife every month. The knife was broken by cutting off bones. Now, I have used my knife for nineteen years, and I have slaughtered thousands of cows, but the blade is as sharp as just before The whetstone is the same. The cow has gaps in the joints, and the blade is very thin. Use a thin blade to insert the gaps in the joints, wide and wide, so there must be room for the blade to run! Therefore, ten For nine years, the blade has been sharpened like a whetstone. Even so, whenever I encounter a place where the bones and muscles are intertwined, I see that it is difficult to cut the knife there, so I carefully increased my vigilance and focused my vision to a point. , The movement slowed down, and the knife was moved very lightly. With a bang, the bones and flesh of the cow were untied at once, like mud scattered on the ground. I stood up with the knife in my hands and looked around for this. This is leisurely and contented, and then wipe the knife clean, and put it away.”

  Liang Huiwang said: “Okay! I have listened to what Pao Ding said, and I understand the principles of health preservation.”

Note:

庖 (páo ) Ding: A famous kitchen worker. Ancient Books of the Pre-Qin DynastyAlways put occupations before names.

Wen Huijun: Namely Liang Hui Wang, also known as Wei Hui Wang.

Cattle solution: slaughter the cow, here refers to the whole body of the cow is stripped and divided.

踦 (yǐ): support, contact. This refers to the use of one-legged knee to top the bull.

砉(huā) Ran: Onomatopoeia. Suspense, the sound of skin and bone separation. Toward, through "ring".

騞 (xū) Ran: Onomatopoeia, which describes a louder sound of attacking and resolving bulls than Yanran.

Sanglin: The name of the song in the legendary Shang Tang.

Sutra: A chapter in the legendary Yao music "Xianchi". Meeting: Refers to rhythm. The above two sentences are intertextual, that is, "it is a dance meeting in the mulberry forest and the sutra".

Hee: praise.

cover: through "盍 (hé)", what, how.

in: more than.

official knowledge: here refers to vision. Desire: Refers to spiritual activity.

Tianli: Refers to the natural structure of cattle physiology.

criticizes big but: hits the big gap. Batch: Click. But: gap.

Lead Dawei (kuǎn): Enter the knife along the gap (between the condyles).

because: according to. Of course: refers to the original structure of the cow body.

Technical Classics: Still speaking of meridians. According to Qing Yuyue's textual research, it is a mistake of the word "branch", referring to branch veins. Meridian, meridian. Ken: Meat clinging to the bone. Qi (qìng): where muscles and muscles gather. If you have not tasted the technical experience, it means that the object of "not tasted the technical experience can be preceded."

軱 (gū): the large bones of the thigh.

cut: here refers to cut hard.

family: all, refers to the general.

fold: Use a knife to fold the bone.

sent: out.硎 (xíng): Sharpening stone.

section: joints. Between: gap.

Huihui: a generous look.

family: refers to the place where the bones and muscles intersect.

怵 (chù) Ran: look fearful.

謋 (huò): Onomatopoeia. The sound of flesh and blood leaving.

Committee: scattered on the ground.

Goodness: Through "shang", repair and cure. Here is the meaning of wiping.

health preservation: refers to the way of health preservation.

Related idioms:

①easy: modern people use it as a metaphor for technical proficiency and easy work.

②Missing the whole cow: Generally used to refer to the skill to reach the level of extremely proficiency, reaching the state of handy.

③Smug: The text means leisurely and contented. Hesitation is generally used to describe the appearance of hesitation. To be complacent refers to being proud of what you have achieved.

④Cut the key point: hit the center, just hit. The key point refers to the place where the flesh and bones are connected. The most important metaphor is the key point.

The key point of the problem is the right way to solve the problem, the direction is right, and the key point of the problem is found A good way to solve the problem.

⑤ Criticizing but guiding Qi-Criticizing: hitting; But: gap; Qi: void of joints. Split from the joints of the bones, and disintegrate where there are no bones. Metaphor is good at starting from the key points and solving problems smoothly.

⑥ Initial test of new 硎——硎: sharpening stone; new 硎: newly sharpened blade. As sharp as a newly sharpened knife. As soon as Yu joined the work, he showed outstanding ability. Also made "Faye New Test".

⑦Guanzhi Shenxing: Refers to a thorough understanding of a certain thing.

⑧ Xing Ding Jie Niu: The chef cut the whole cow. It is a metaphor for people who understand the objective laws of things; they are proficient in technology; they are handy in doing things.

⑨Good knife and hide: good: wipe; good knife: wipe the knife clean. Wipe the knife clean and put it away. The metaphor is adequate and self-contained.

reason:

  niu is undoubtedly very complicated. Why can you go down with one cut, the knife is in place, easy and simple, what is the reason? It is because I have mastered its texture. Cows and cows are of course different, but no matter what kind of cow they are, their textures are the same; everyone's life has its own features, and the basic principles are similar. Because Pao Ding is familiar with the texture of the cow, he naturally knows where to cut. Life is the same. If you can thoroughly understand and comprehend the principles of life, and know the rules accurately, you can be like Pao Ding. If you have a bull in your eyes and no bulls, you can simplify the complex and truly relax.

   You should always be careful in doing things, but also maintain a kind of cautionBe cautious, converge your edge, and while knowing how to use the law, you must practice it again and again, just like Pao Ding's "solved thousands of cattle", repeating it constantly, and eventually you will realize the truth of things.

   Human society is full of intricate contradictions. Human beings live in the world. Only by avoiding contradictions like Pao Ding Jie Niu and complying with nature can we protect our lives, whole lives, nourish our hearts, and endure the whole life.

Appreciation:

   The author originally intended to use it to illustrate the way of keeping in good health, thereby revealing the truth that one must comply with the laws of nature. The full text can be divided into four paragraphs. The first paragraph is about Pao Ding’s proficient movements and wonderful sound; the second paragraph is followed by Wen Huijun’s praise, which highlights Pao Ding’s exquisite skills from the side; the third paragraph is Pao Ding’s answer to Wen Huijun. Pao Ding mainly talks about his In the three stages of "Tao" state; the fourth paragraph writes that Wen Huijun comprehended the principles of health preservation after hearing this. This essay uses a variety of techniques in its writing, its structure is rigorous, and the language is lively and concise, which embodies the unrestrained characteristics of Zhuangzi's articles.

   The first paragraph is a vivid description of "Jie Niu". With heavy pen and ink, the author brilliantly shows the leisurely expression of Pao Ding and the harmony of his movements when he solves the cow. The whole body uses hands, shoulders, feet, and knees together, touching, leaning, stepping, and pressing each other, everything looks so coordinated. "Siran resounds loudly, plays the sword and arrogantly", the voice is lifelike. The sound of the separation of the flesh of the cow and the sound of the cutting of the cow's bones are distinct, ups and downs, and the sound is heard. The second paragraph of

   is followed by Wen Huijun’s sigh: "Goodness! Skills cover so much!" Further points out the "god" of Paoding Jie Niu, which will pave the way for the transition from narrative to theory. In the third paragraph of

  , Miao Zaiping's answer is not limited to "technique", but attributed the reason of "technique to this point" to "dao". "Those who are fond of the minister, Dao is also advanced in skills." And from this, it tells the truth about seeking "Tao" and being proficient in "Technology". The argument in this paragraph is the essence of the full text. In order to illustrate how "Tao" is higher than "Technology", the article uses two contrasting contrasts: one is the comparison between Pao Ding and ordinary kitchen workers at the beginning and three years later. At the beginning of Pao Ding's solution to the cow, what he saw was a whole cow; after three years, he had not seen the whole cow. Instead, he knew the natural structure of the cow, the gap between the bones and the bones, and the acupuncture points between the joints. Ordinary kitchen workers do not understand the internal organization of cows and blindly chop bones with knives; although good kitchen workers can avoid bones, they inevitably use knives to cut tendons, but Pao Ding does not. He does not rely on the senses to feel the cow, but " Experience the bovine body with inner spirit, follow nature, choose gaps, split the gap between muscles and flesh, lead to the joint void, and proceed according to the natural structure of the cow. .

   is the pursuit of Taoism in conformity with nature and the unity of material and me. Pao Ding used this as a solution to the ox, which enabled him to move from "technique" to "dao" to reach the point of perfection and superior skills. "The knife is very small, and it has been solved, like the land." This twelve-character description is the description of the effect of Pao Ding's solution to the cow. The method is correct. Not only the cow is solved quickly, but the knife is not damaged. Over the past nineteen years, he has solved thousands of cows without ever changing a knife, and the blade is still as sharp as ever. This of course is incredible for a low-level cook who changes a knife every month. The difference is that they seek "skills" while Pao Ding is dedicated to "dao".

   is in the relationship between "technique" and "dao". Zhuangzi School believes that "technique" and "dao" are connected. "Tao" is higher than "Technology", and "Technology" is subordinate to "Tao"; only when "Technology" is in line with "Tao" can skills be pure and refined. The essence of "Tao" lies in natural inaction, and the perfection of "technique" also lies in natural inaction. Only by "harmonizing the sky with the sky" ("Zhuangzi·Dasheng") and integrating the external nature with man's inner nature can we reach the highest state of "technical". Pao Ding has a deep taste of samādhi, so he can become the best in Jie Niu. Conversely, there is "Tao" in "Technology", and "Tao" can be observed from "Technology". "Technology is at the same time, things are at righteousness, righteousness is at virtue, morality is at Tao, and Tao is at heaven" ("Zhuangzi·Heaven and Earth"). It is through Pao Ding's "techniques" that Wen Huijun has realized the "dao" of health preservation. The fundamental method of health preservation is to conform to nature. Obviously, Pao Ding's solution to the ox is Zhuangzi's image metaphor for the method of health preservation.

  , but Zhuangzi's "according to the laws of nature" and "because of its nature", objectively reveals the question of how people achieve freedom in practice. In the textThe so-called "natural" and "in fact" can be understood as external objective things that people face if they are extended. Although it will bring this kind of restriction or hindrance to people who hope to achieve freedom, wise people are not helpless in front of it. As long as they know it and conform to it, they can be as free and easy as Pao Ding. In this regard, Zhuangzi once made a very subtle analysis: "There is room for those who have the festival, but the blade has no thickness; if there is no thickness into the room, there must be room for recovery." "Jie" is of course. It is insurmountable, but there is a gap after all, which provides people with a world of "easy man". As long as they are good at displaying their skills in this world, they are equally free. The word "easy edge" vividly shows the deification realm of the interpreter who is in harmony with nature and supernatural. Of course, the understanding of "Guran" is not to be done once and for all. Even those with superb skills like Pa Ding always act cautiously whenever the muscles and bones become knotted. "Be precautionary, keep watching and act late." The pursuit of land, no slack is.

   This allegory is intended to clarify "health preservation", but in fact it also expounds a profound aesthetic proposition, that is, artistic creation is a free creation. Zhuangzi believes that there is "art" in "technique". Pao Ding's action to untie the cow is quite artistic. His performance is like a beautiful and unrivaled musical dance, whose steps are in line with the dance music of "Sang Lin", and his rhythm is in line with the brilliant "Salt Pond" movement. As a creative activity with a sense of beauty, it fascinates the viewer. And the look of the Empress Pao Ding who "stands with the knife, looks around, and is full of ambition for it", also makes people see the joy of the creator's inner satisfaction after the work is completed.

   Zhuangzi reveals that beauty is a kind of free creation through his words and art. The creation of this kind of beauty must realize the unity of conformity ("because of its nature") and conformity ("perfectly pertinent") in order to achieve the realm of freedom ("with ease"). "To meet with the gods instead of sight, the official knows to stop and the gods want to act" is a necessary state of mind for creation. It emphasizes the need to eliminate all sensory disturbances and concentrate on it. This is the same as the "Zhuangzi·Dasheng" chapter of Zi Qing. At that time, the words "zhai to meditate" and "forget me has four branches" are consistent. This state of "Xin Zhai" and "sitting and forgetting" has the same goal as the "contemplation" and "contemplation" that modern western aesthetics pay attention to, but it predates Schopenhauer and Nietzsche by more than 2,100 years.

   Zhuangzi's prose is good at using visual and reasoning methods. This fable uses a variety of techniques such as exaggeration, contrast, contrast, and tracing, to show the proficiency of Pao Ding's skills, the leisurely manner, the graceful movements, the harmony of rhythm, and the unrestrained mind and body. Specifically, the main features of this article in terms of writing are:

   One, tight structure. The full text is divided into two parts, first tell the story (first and second paragraphs), and then point out the meaning (third paragraph). As far as the story is concerned, it is divided into two levels, from writing "technique" to "dao". First describe Pao Ding's superb skills in analysing cattle, and then Pa Ding explains his method of analysing cattle. The technique of writing Pao Ding is first described directly, and then summarized by Wen Huijun’s admiration, and then transferred to Pao Ding’s talk. The elaboration of Tao is divided into three aspects: firstly, it introduces the three stages of mastering Tao from the vertical aspect, highlighting the characteristics of the later mastering of Tao; secondly, it compares Pao Ding with Liangxu and Zulu from the horizontal perspective. Explain the similarities and differences of the Taoist or not; third, explain the successful solution of the difficult "clan" problem. This is from the general to the special. These three aspects are all explained by the "Tao" of "according to the laws of nature" and "because of its nature". Pao Ding's answer to Wen Huijun's first sentence naturally connects the writing skills and talking. Wen Huijun's words to get the health regimen from Pa Ding's words play a role in controlling the full text and revealing the theme. The full text focuses on the Jie Niu incident, expounds a word "Tao", from the concrete to the abstract, it is analyzed and interlinked, and the truth is understood clearly.

   2. The language is vivid and concise. For example, when the hand, shoulder, foot, and knee movements are written in the words "touching, leaning, walking, and hesitating", they reflect their own characteristics. With "Hee! Kindness! So far?" The three sentences of these eight characters (the content word and the function word are half each), you can see Wen Huijun's surprise, admiration and puzzlement when he saw Pao Ding's superb technology in solving cows. Thoughts and feelings are truly reflected. "Be precautionary, watch until you are late, behave late, and use the knife very little." A few sentences describe the characteristics of Pa Ding's dedicated, cautious and confident inner activities, eyes and movements when solving special difficulties. It is in sharp contrast with the postscript Pao Ding's leisurely gestures and demeanor due to the solution of difficulties.Creative background of

:

   Zhuangzi lived in the middle of the Warring States period. This is a very intense period of social transformation. Chinese society has experienced a vicissitudes of life, "a high bank is a valley, and a deep valley is a mausoleum." , Full of confusion about the future. Zhuangzi targets people in the cruel reality and cannot let their nature live unfettered and unrestrained, facing the ruthless destruction of the reality that is difficult to enjoy the life of the world. He is forced to hide the front with fear and fear at any time and any place, to comply with it in time, without seeking far-reaching harm, and want to be in the joints of the complex struggle. Look for a gap in the world and use it as a safe haven for life, so that you can survive in this troubled world. This fable reflects this state of mind.

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