An Exploration of the Leisure Thoughts of Confucianism and Taoism in Zhang Wu Zhi (Treatise on Superfluous Things).

Current Western leisure theory is primarily based on Western research, although social scientific leisure research has been carried out for approximatelly 70 years. The goal of this essay is to introduce the leisure thoughts of Confucianism and Taoism as presented in the Chinese classic Zhang Wu Zhi. Hitherto, two Western historians who study Zhang Wu Zhi have opened a window for the study of Zhang Wu Zhi world wide, although they do not pay attention to leisure practice and thinking because of their academic backgroud. This research reflects the leisure thoughts of the rich Chinese traditional literati under the influence of Confucianism and Taoism. As presented in Zhang Wu Zhi and as a tradition, these religious traditions profoundly affect the leisure activities and characteristics of modern Chinese people currently and in the future. In this case, the Chinese text needs to be reintroduced to contribute to global leisure research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]