Chinese Islamic Exploration

Author: Jin Yijiu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-09-01
Features: This book is divided into twelve chapters, with main content including thought patterns, the theory of "Truth," the theory of "Light," and more. Due to limited access and research on Islamic mysticism materials from abroad, this book can only discuss thoughts related to Liu Zhi. Additionally, Chinese people have a deeper understanding of Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist thoughts compared to Islamic thought. Therefore, this book will not extensively delve into Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist thoughts but will focus on Islamic thought. In writing, it is inevitable to encounter shortcomings and errors, and the author hopes for criticism and corrections from readers... This book is arranged as follows, excluding the preface and conclusion, into twelve chapters. Chapter 1 is an introduction, explaining the era in which Liu Zhi lived, the relevant social background, materials, and the origins of his thoughts. Chapter 2 introduces Liu Zhi's thought patterns. This serves as the basic framework of his mysticism. Chapter 3 discusses Liu Zhi's highest spiritual entity, "Truth," its fundamental meaning, characteristics, and the intrinsic relationship between "Truth" in theory and its manifestation. Chapter 4 covers Liu Zhi's thoughts on light. Light holds a special position in his thought system. Chapter 5 addresses Liu Zhi's thoughts on the nature of humanity and principles. These thoughts hold a central position in his system. Nature refers to human nature, while principles refer to physical laws. This chapter focuses on introducing the different levels and characteristics of human nature revealed by "Truth," the functions of human nature, the relationship between human nature and the human body, the relationship between human nature and desires, the hierarchy of acquired human virtues, and the mission of human nature. Chapter 6 discusses Liu Zhi's thoughts on the "world," including the celestial macrocosm and the human microcosm. Chapter 7 [Note: The original text mentions Chapter 8, but Chapter 7 is missing in the provided content. Please verify if it should be included or if there is a typo.] Chapter 8 discusses Liu Zhi's thoughts on the "thought system." Chapter 9 discusses Liu Zhi's thoughts on "reversion." Chapter 10 introduces Liu Zhi's religious and ethical thoughts, including his views on the five duties of divine law and the five canons of human law, as well as his on how to fulfill human duties to align with divine law. Chapter 11 introduces Liu Zhi's mysticism, using his two works, The Five O'Clock Moon and Interpretation of the Heavenly Way Letters, as examples. It analyzes and introduces his mystical thoughts in detail. Chapter 12 introduces the embodiment of Liu Zhi's thoughts. This chapter uses specific examples to demonstrate that Liu Zhi's thoughts still have significant influence in China today and illustrates that Liu Zhi's thought is a typical representation of the localization and sinicization of Islam in China. Liu Zhi himself is an important representative of the Han school within Chinese Islam.