中華思想術語翻譯選讀：虛

　　“虛”指世界或者心靈的一種狀態(tài)。大體有兩種不同的含義：其一，指世界的本原，萬物皆由虛無中來。但古人對“虛”的這一含義又有不同理解：或認為“虛”就是空虛無有;或認為“虛”指“氣”的存在狀態(tài)，因為“氣”的存在隱微無形，故以“虛”稱之，但并非完全空無。其二，指虛靜的或沒有成見的內心狀態(tài)。

　　Xu refers to a state of the cosmos or a state of mind. Basically, it has two different meanings. The first refers to the origin of the universe, indicating that everything originates from xu, Different ancient thinkers have different interpretations of this notion: Some take xu as being devoid of anything; others believe it is the state of existence of qi (氣). Because qi is invisible and formless, It is said to be empty, but not a vacuum totally devoid of anything. The second meaning of xu refers to a state of mind that is peaceful, not preoccupied or simply free of any preconceptions.

　　Examples

　　太虛無形，氣之本體。(張載《正蒙•太和》)

　　(“虛”是無形的，是“氣”的本來狀態(tài)。)

　　Xu is formless; it is the original state of qi. (Zhang Zai: Enlightement Through Confucian Teachings)

　　唯道集虛，虛者心齋也。(《莊子•人間世》)

　　(只有道匯集并呈現(xiàn)于虛靜的心靈，“虛”就是心齋。)

　　Dao gathers and presents itself in an unoccupied and peaceful mind; being unoccupied means the pure state of the mind. (Zhuangzi)