Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture

KEY CONCEPTS

TERMBASES

Following the Du Meridian as the Law

This expression means to follow the natural meridian as a constant rule. This comes from Zhuangzi’s work “On Nurturing Life.” Du (督) refers here to the meridian along the human spine, central yet without form. Zhuangzi (369?-286 BC) held that the laws governing natural phenomena had the same characteristics. He differentiated this from narrow-minded and conventional moral laws. “Following the Du meridian as the law” means following a natural law, which is fair and invisible, and allows man to traverse among all things under heaven without running contrarily to them.

CITATION

Following the natural meridian as a common law, a person can take good care of his health, his life, and his family members, and enjoy longevity. (Zhuangzi)

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CORRELATION

The Middle Way
The Middle Way manifests the principle of impartiality. It stands in contrast to partial behavior. Ancient Chinese believed that the existence and changes of all things in the universe obey a single basic law, which is shown through human action and conduct. This is the Middle Way. People should comply with the Middle Way in both speech and action. It can be achieved, Confucian scholars hold, by avoiding all excessive as well as inadequate words and actions, thus attaining impeccable morality. Buddhists advocate practicing the Middle Way in order to see things in their true light and break free of human suffering. Different schools of thought and religious sects vary in their understanding of the specific content of this concept.

KEY CONCEPTS

Following the Du Meridian as the Law

CORRELATION

The Middle Way