标新立异 — “To be unconventional and original”

During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Buddhist scholar Zhi Daolin befriended famous figures such as Wang Xizhi and Xie An. They often discussed profound philosophical principles and studied *Zhuangzi*.

*Zhuangzi* is a classic philosophical work written by Zhuang Zhou during the Warring States period. Xiang Xiu of the Jin Dynasty and later Guo Xiang completed their commentaries on *Zhuangzi*. The first chapter of *Zhuangzi*, "Xiaoyaoyou" (Free and Easy Wandering), was considered the most profound and difficult part of the book. At that time, many prominent scholars had delved into this chapter, seeking novel interpretations, but none could go beyond the insights of Guo Xiang and Xiang Xiu.

Zhi Daolin once chatted with Feng Taichang at White Horse Temple. When discussing "Xiaoyaoyou," he proposed a completely new perspective that was even fresher than Guo Xiang's and Xiang Xiu's interpretations, and distinctly different from the views of many other famous scholars of the time. These insights of Zhi Daolin were things that many scholars had struggled to comprehend despite arduous contemplation.

Later, when interpreting "Xiaoyaoyou," people drew upon Zhi Daolin's perspectives.