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Exploring the Influence of Taochand on Chinese Poetry and Taoist Beliefs
Taochand, an influential poet from ancient China, left a bureaucratic job to pursue a life in nature, where he cultivated chrysanthemums, drank wine, and wrote poetry. He symbolizes a break from societal expectations to pursue inner fulfillment through poetry. His poetic style, known as Kenyuan, focuses on Fields and Gardens, reflecting a connection to nature and inner peace. Taochand's choice to detach from the world echoes Taoist beliefs of non-action and non-attachment, emphasizing the idea of not being tied to outcomes or ambitions. This philosophy is also present in Buddhism, highlighting the cost of suffering from attachments. Taochand's poetry ends with a question inviting reflection on the illusions of life and the choice to be unattached, embodying the essence of non-attachment in Taoism and Buddhism.