Penang Butterfly Park
槟城蝴蝶公园
Butterfly dream
蝴蝶梦 ...
Once upon a time, Chuang Tzu (庄子) also known as Chuang Chou
dreamed that he was a butterfly, flying about enjoying itself.
dreamed that he was a butterfly, flying about enjoying itself.
The butterfly did not know that it was Chuang Tzu. and suddenly Chuang awoke,
and veritably was Chuang Tzu again.
Chuang Tzu did not know whether he was dreaming that he was a butterfly,
or whether it was the butterfly dreaming that it was Chuang Tzu.
If Chuang Tzu can dream that he was a butterfly then the same is said
that why not the butterfly had dreamed that it was Chuang Tzu ...
This shows that, although in ordinary appearance there are differences between things,
in delusions or in dreams one thing can also be another.
The transformation of things proves that the differences
among things are not "absolute " ...
Chuang Tzu is universally regarded as the greatest Taoist after Lao Tzu (老子)
His "butterfly dream" is probably the most celebrated metaphor ever to be
recorded in the history of Chinese Philosophy...
and in my opinion, whether or not the dream actually occurred
is not a matter of great importance.
Except summarized and translated from The Philosopher, Volume LXXXIII No.2
(Author: C.W. Chan)
