Original Theory of Chinese Philosophy (Volume 1 and 2, Original Way Chapter)

Author: Tang Junyi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: The Essence and System of Chinese Philosophy: The Way is dedicated to discussing the fundamental and encompassing category of the Way in Chinese philosophy. From the pre-Qin philosophies of Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism, and Legalism to the spiritual cultivation of the Wei and Jin periods, the Yungang Spring and Autumn Commentary's praise and condemnation of good and evil, the Han Dynasty's Book of Changes, Five Elements, and prophecies, as well as the various (mixed Ways) of the post-Han period, and the Buddhist teachings of the Han and Tang dynasties—such as the doctrine of suffering, the theory of Buddha-nature, the Tiantai and Huayan Buddhist classifications, the Mahayana sudden enlightenment practices of Zhiyi, Fazang's metaphysical Taoism, and Huineng's "non-duality of mind and Buddha"—all are deeply analyzed and discussed. The Way is the direction of thought, and based on its different levels and concerns, it gives rise to different ethical worlds and cultural worlds. Although human cultures manifest differently, the Ways they develop internally intersect and do not obstruct each other, forming a grand historical and cultural path. Master Tang, based on this insight, wrote this work after The Original Nature, continuing the exploration of Chinese philosophy's origins from the activities of life, thereby giving rise to various Ways. This monumental book consists of three parts. The first part focuses on the Ways of the pre-Qin philosophers, from Confucius's ren (benevolence) Way to the Book of Changes' shen (divine) Way, with a total of twenty-five chapters, covering all the important pre-Qin schools of thought comprehensively. The second part discusses the Ways of philosophy in the Han Dynasty's Confucian and non-Confucian schools, beginning with the Yin-Yang school, followed by the Ways of Han Dynasty scholarship, character evaluation, Taoist cultivation, and the Book of Changes' symbolic and numerical Way, demonstrating its broad scope and relevance to different domains of later Chinese culture. Then, leveraging his expertise in both Chinese and Western philosophy, he directly integrates Buddhist texts, not only making pioneering contributions but also setting a paradigm, which deserves attention from scholars of Chinese philosophy and Buddhist thought history.