A Spectrum of Tianfu Philosophy

Author: Feng Guanghong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: The philosophy of the Tianfu region has a long history. As the saying goes, "Yi is in Shu" — the I Ching is the growth point of traditional philosophical concepts, yet this discipline took root and flourished in the Shu region. Chengdu scholars Yang Xiong and Wei Yuansong even boldly reformed the I Ching. Without a certain courage, this was simply impossible. The people of the Tianfu region possess a unique environment. Through a life of hard labor that yields leisure, they have developed a character with a touch of humor. As a result, the Shu region not only has a profound foundation in classical studies but also fertile ground for Chan Buddhism, and even a philosophical or Confucian forest that integrates both. Those cultural heritages are mostly both systematic and ambiguous — often graspable in meaning but difficult to articulate; yet they are certainly not "unknowable." With this description, the development of Tianfu philosophy becomes much clearer. If we further study the causes and effects of the formation of these philosophical systems, we can trace a main thread. Philosophy is hard to explain, especially when done in a popular manner. This book merely selects a snapshot from the historical scan and displays some scenes — for this reason, it is called "A Glimpse of Tianfu Philosophy."