School of Taoism: A Study of the Philosophical Thought of Zhou Dunyi

Author: Yang Zhucai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: This book is a systematic study of the philosophical thought of Zhou Dunyi (1017-1037), a scholar of the Northern Song Dynasty. The book is divided into two parts, employing research methods of textual criticism and interpretation of meaning. The first part conducts an in-depth and meticulous examination of the origins of Zhou Dunyi's works, particularly the Taiji Tu (Great Ultimate Diagram), clarifying that while Zhou Dunyi's ideas were influenced by Buddhism and Taoism, the Taiji Tu and its commentary Commentary on the Taiji Tu were likely his own works. The Commentary on the Taiji Tu and Tongshu (Common Books) each possess relatively independent philosophical meanings but together form a closely interconnected system of thought. The second part focuses on Zhou Dunyi's philosophy, on one hand, by comparing his thought with that of Zhang Zai and the brothers Cheng Yi in the early to mid-Northern Song Dynasty, especially in the context of their I Ching studies, to explore the main themes and characteristics that distinguish Zhou Dunyi's philosophy from theirs. On the other hand, it examines Zhou Dunyi's philosophical ideas in the context of the historical development of Song and Ming Neo-Confucianism, particularly around several key issues in his thought, such as the unity of heaven and man, the joy of Confucius and Yan Hui, the primacy of tranquility and the unity of one, as well as controversial topics in Song and Ming Neo-Confucianism. This part explores the influence of Zhou Dunyi's philosophical arguments on Zhang Zai and Chu Xi, especially by evaluating his historical position as the founder of the Way of Learning tradition in the traditional view and as the pioneer of Neo-Confucianism in modern times.