庖丁解牛

Cook Ding

Taoism · parable

Part of Taoism

Zhuangzi's parable of Cook Ding, who butchers an ox with effortless precision by following the natural grain rather than forcing the knife. A metaphor for wu wei in action. The parable appears in the third chapter of the Zhuangzi and illustrates wu wei through butchering an ox -- following the natural grain rather than forcing one's way.

According to the Tao Te Ching, the foundational text attributed to Laozi, and the Zhuangzi, the central writings of Taoist philosophy, Cook Ding represents a key concept that continues to inform philosophical thought and practice today.

2 wisdom cards explore this concept
2 related philosophical concepts
0 in-depth guides
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What Are the Key Facts About Cook Ding?

  • Tradition: Taoism
  • Chinese: 庖丁解牛
  • Category: Parable
  • Definition: Zhuangzi's parable of Cook Ding, who butchers an ox with effortless precision by following the natural grain rather than forcing the knife.

What Cards Are Related to Cook Ding?

The Piping of Heaven

Who blows through the ten thousand hollows?

Fish in the Drying Spring

Better to forget one another in rivers and lakes

What Concepts Are Related to Cook Ding?

Wu Wei 无为
Parable of
Cook Ding is the perfect parable of wu wei in action
 Zhuangzi 庄子
Authored
Cook Ding is Zhuangzi's parable of effortless skill

Common Questions

庖丁解牛 寓言 chinese 庖丁解牛 meaning in english chinese-meaning zhuangzi cook ding meaning explanation cook ding parable parable The Piping of Heaven teaching

Further Reading and Sources

For authoritative academic perspectives on Cook Ding, consult these external sources:

Further Reading