Meanings of traditional Chinese leisure: Perspectives from etymology, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism

Abstract Based on previous studies on traditional Chinese leisure thought, this paper presents an in-depth study of the etymology of leisure, 休閒, to explore the origins, meanings, and interrelationships of related words and the literature on these topics. The paper then discusses the connotations of traditional Chinese leisure from three perspectives: Confucian leisure based on morality and etiquette, Taoist naturalist leisure, and Buddhist leisure based on the wisdom of emptiness and the spiritual realm. Lastly, the paper points out that traditional Chinese leisure embodies the wisdom of the implementation of Tao in daily life, and illustrates Tao’s influence on Chinese leisure from earlier to current generations in four aspects: the attitude of following and imitating nature; the pursuit of the Golden Mean and the harmonious realm; the passive, quiet, introverted leisure style; and the ideal life that integrates work and leisure.