Original Theory of Chinese Philosophy (Original Religion Chapter)

Author: Tang Junyi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-05
Features: This book is a work by Mr. Tang Junyi on the history of Chinese philosophy, following his Original Way. After the elucidation of the Way, it naturally leads to the establishment of teachings; in philosophical terms, this means that after ontology, one must engage in the study of methods. Mr. Tang took this idea as the basis for titling this book Original Teachings. In terms of content, the book begins with Northern Song Confucianism, starting from the lectures of the three masters of the early Northern Song (Hu Dingzhi, Sun Mingfu, Shi Jie) on the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Book of Changes, aiming to establish an ideal politics and national culture to oppose Buddhism and Taoism. Then came Shao Yong's symbolic numerology and Zhou Li's Taiji, establishing human way to connect with the Way of Heaven, paving the way for Zhang Aozhong, the Two Chengs, Zhu Xi, Xiangshan, Yangming, and Confucian scholars of the Qing Dynasty. Tang Junyi discussed issues such as Qi, Li, Xing, Qing, Xin, and Liangzhi, explaining them thoroughly. He paid special attention to the major event in the history of scholarship—the differences between Zhu Xi and Lu Ji—providing a detailed analysis, pointing out that both Zhu Xi and Lu Ji had aspects of knowledge and action, while Wang Yangming's "unity of knowledge and action" differed from the two but actually evolved from Zhu Xi's theory of methods. His insights are profound and distinct from previous scholars. Readers should read carefully.