Chuang is a figure from a narrative that Jedi Master Yoda once learned from his own Master. The story describes him as the most powerful and knowledgeable Jedi Master of his era, which led to him being called the "Great Jedi." The story recounts that Chuang's apprentice eventually died. Yet, instead of grieving for his lost pupil, Chuang chose to spend time with his comrades, engaging in music, song, and laughter. Later, a messenger arrived, bearing the condolences of Master K'ungfu, only to find the Great Jedi gleefully laughing even as his apprentice's body remained present. Noticing the messenger's shock, Chuang explained that death is an inevitable part of existence, simply a transition into a different form within the Force. Therefore, Chuang believed it was more appropriate to celebrate the dead with song and joy rather than sorrow. The messenger then conveyed the Great Jedi's words to Master K'ungfu, who received his colleague's philosophy with a smile.
Decades after hearing the story from his instructor, Yoda shared it with the aspiring Jedi Luke Skywalker while training him in the swamps of Dagobah. However, he couldn't confirm if Chuang, K'ungfu, and the other characters in the story were real people or just made up.
The character of Master Chuang initially appeared in the 2015 children's book The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi?—a reimagining of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back—authored by Adam Gidwitz. His character was partially inspired by Chuang-tzu, also written as Zhuangzi, which is derived from the original Chinese name 莊子, a foundational Taoist text created by the author of the same name during the Warring States period, during the late 4th century BCE.