Xiong Shili

Author: Liu Mengxi, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1996-10-01
Features: The academic thought of a nation is the light of its spirit. The activities of academic elites in a specific era often contain a vast amount of information that transcends that era. At the turn of the century, China urgently needed to gain forward-looking thinking through reflection on the past and understanding the present. The modern Chinese academia, which began around 1900, absorbed new concepts popular at the time and initiated the exchange and dialogue between Chinese and Western academia. Based on the recognition of the value of academia itself, scholars developed a conscious demand for academic independence. From Yan Fu's translated works, which marked an important milestone in the development of modern Chinese academia, a large number of scholars constructed a dual character of enduring value and adaptability to the times, with pioneering and exemplary significance. These classic works shine in the brilliant sky of Chinese academia, becoming an important source of inspiration for today's students. This series collects the timeless classics of modern academic giants such as Yan Fu, Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Zhang Taiyan, Wang Guowei, Hu Shih, Jin Yuelin, Gu Jiegang, Feng Youlan, Chen Yuan, Li Ji, Xiong Shili, Lu Xun, Wu Mi, Wu Mei, Chen Shizeng, Zhang Junmai, Fang Dongmei, Tang Junyi, Liao Ping, Meng Wentong, Tang Yongtong, Cai Yuanpei, Yang Shudu, Yu Jiaxi, Zhao Yuanren, Qian Jibo, Ma Yifu, Guo Moruo, Tai Xu, Yang Wenhui, Ou Jiansheng, Lü Cheng, Fu Siniannian, Dong Zuobin, Hong Ye, Yang Lian, Luo Zhenyu, Chen Yinque, and more, showcasing the monumental achievements of modern Chinese academia that can be celebrated for generations. At the same time, it provides spiritual nourishment for the Chinese nation aspiring to a brighter future and greater leaps. For convenience of reading, each volume includes a brief biography of the author at the beginning, and an academic chronology and a list of works at the end.
Xiong Shili (1885–1968), originally named Ji Zhi, styled Zizhen, and later known as the late Elder of Qi Yuan, was a famous philosopher from Huanggang, Hubei (now Tuanfeng). From a young age, Xiong Shili was exceptional, possessing extraordinary talent and strong self-esteem and confidence. He once boldly declared, "Looking up at the sky, there is no one like me." This statement left his father and brothers astonished. Around the age of 16 or 17, he traveled widely to study. When he first read Chen Baisha's "Theory of Beasts," he suddenly had a profound realization: "My physical body is not me; only this mind and principle are the true self." From this, he understood the meaning and value of life, realizing that it was not about external satisfactions like pursuing profit and avoiding harm or seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, but about comprehending the meaning and value of life and recognizing the great and majestic "true self" to align with the principles of heaven, earth, and all things. This realization essentially laid the foundation for his future academic pursuits.
As a child, he studied at home with his brother. At the age of 14, he joined the army. In 1905, he enrolled in the Hubei Military Special Primary School and joined anti-Qing revolutionary groups such as the Wuchang "Science Supplementary Society" and the "Rizhi Society." After the Wuchang Uprising, he participated in the liberation of Huangzhou and later went to Wuchang, where he was appointed as an advisor to the Hubei Military Government. In 1917, he joined Sun Yat-sen's "Protecting the Law Movement" in Guangzhou. After its failure, he resolved to dedicate himself to philosophical research. He later taught at Wuchang Wenhua University, Tianjin Nankai Middle School, Peking University, and Zhejiang University. He authored works such as New Consciousness-Only Theory, On Confucianism, On the Unity of Body and Mind, On Illuminating the Mind, Interpretation of Buddhist Terminology, and The Origin of Heaven and Earth. His doctrines had a profound influence and formed a unique school of thought in philosophy, with "Xiong Xue" (Xiong's School) scholars spread across China and overseas. The Encyclop?dia Britannica described him as "one of the outstanding figures in contemporary Chinese philosophy, alongside Feng Youlan." In 1932, after ten years of effort, his monumental work New Consciousness-Only Theory (in classical Chinese) was published, marking the birth of the internationally renowned "New Consciousness-Only Theory" philosophical system. However, the book immediately drew fierce criticism from Buddhist scholars, particularly those from the Nalanda Institute, who attacked it as a "rejection of sacred teachings." His teacher, Ouyang Yu, lamented, "Among all, only Zizhen has abandoned the sacred words," using harsh language. Ouyang's disciple, Liu Hengru, even wrote Refutation of the New Consciousness-Only Theory to systematically critique Xiong Shili's work, accusing him of "knowing almost nothing about Consciousness-Only theory" and claiming that his book "merely picks and mixes the doctrines of Confucianism and Taoism from China, while also borrowing from foreign Indian schools, speculatively interpreting Buddhism, and assuming it must be so."
Unwilling to remain silent, Xiong Shili immediately responded and wrote Refutation of Refutation of the New Consciousness-Only Theory to rebut Liu's criticisms point by point. He defended himself by arguing that New Consciousness-Only Theory "is far removed from Consciousness-Only theory in meaning and aligns with the essence of Prajna," believing that he had not deviated from tradition but rather defended and developed Buddhist thought. Unlike Ouyang and his followers, and , however, highly praised the book. Cai Yuanpei called Xiong Shili the "only philosopher in two thousand years who has expounded the profound essence of Buddhism from a philosophical perspective." Ma Yifu, in his preface, even ranked Xiong Shili alongside Wang Bi and Nagarjuna, claiming that his knowledge and insights surpassed those of ancient Buddhist masters such as Daosheng, Xuanzang, and Kuiji, truly to the highest degree of admiration!