Page:Zhuang Zi - translation Giles 1889.djvu/274

240 And doing as I did without being conscious of any effort so to do, that was what I meant by destiny."


 * Objective existences cannot injure him who puts his trust in God.
 * [This episode occurs twice, with textual differences, in the works of Lieh Tzŭ, chs. ii. and viii.]

Ch'ing, the chief carpenter,


 * Of the Lu State.

was carving wood into a stand for hanging musical instruments. When finished, the work appeared to those who saw it as though of supernatural execution. And the prince of Lu asked him, saying, "What mystery is there in your art?"

"No mystery, your Highness," replied Ch'ing; "and yet there is something.

"When I am about to make such a stand, I guard against any diminution of my vital power. I first reduce my mind to absolute quiescence. Three days in this condition, and I become oblivious of any reward to be gained. Five days, and I become oblivious of any fame to be acquired. Seven days, and I become unconscious of my four limbs and my physical frame. Then, with no thought of the Court present to my mind, my skill becomes concentrated, and all disturbing elements from without are gone. I enter some mountain forest. I search for a suitable tree. It contains the form required, which is afterwards elaborated. I see the stand in my mind's eye, and then set to work. Otherwise,