The skillful living in the Zhuangzi, Buddhism, and Stoicism

ABSTRACT The significant role of skill in Zhuangzi’s good life has been argued by most Zhuangzi scholars. However, there is ongoing debate concerning the psychological and behavioral mechanisms that underwrite the skillful activity and the way it contributes to a good life. Based on previous research, this paper makes a comparative study between Buddhism, Daoism, and Stoicism. The aim is to prove that practical wisdom, which involves both reflection and spontaneity, plays a helpful role in understanding Zhuangzian skillful activity by connecting skilled performance to the wise way of living. Importantly, this can be compared to the Buddhist teachings of skillful (kusala) action and skillful means (upāya) as well as the Stoic account of skill (technē) and art of life. A three-way comparison shows that skillful activity is deeply bound up with practical wisdom in the three traditions, which enables one to act appropriately and live skillfully.