"Conversations on the Doctrine of the Mean"

Author: Shen Shunkui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: The Collected Works of the Master Wang Yangming is divided into three volumes (Upper, Middle, and Lower), compiled by his disciples and recorded as the teachings of Wang Yangming and his letters responding to friends and disciples on academic matters. It is the most renowned work for studying the Xin Xue (School of Mind) of Wang Yangming, encompassing his entire philosophical system and fundamental doctrines. It is considered the sacred scripture of the Wang School and a classic of Xin Xue. In the Collected Works, Master Wang Yangming expounds on his rich philosophical thoughts. Regarding Xin Xue, he states: "There are no objects outside the mind," "There is no principle outside the mind," "To seek the highest good in all things and affairs is to seek it outside the mind, which is to seek it outside righteousness; the highest good is the very nature of the mind," "The mind is principle, and is there anything outside the mind that is not the mind or principle?" "My spiritual brightness is the master of heaven, earth, spirits, and gods. Heaven, earth, spirits, and all things would cease to exist without my spiritual brightness." He believed that the existence of things depends on human consciousness.