Studies On The Hsiung Shih-Li's Neo-Yi Ology About Ch'ien Yuan

In this article,I will discuss Yi-ology of Hsiung,ShihLi.It was an important approach for Hsiung,Shihli to establish his neo-Yi ology by way of interpreting the Confucian classics,inparticular,Zhouyi,creatively.The thought of Ch'ien Yuan(the orginal righteousness),Producing and reproducing(creativity) and Inherit goodness and coming into human nature in Yi King influenced the Yi-ology of Hsiung,ShihLi.As a great scholar of his time,Shih-Li Hsiung's major interests reside in the investigation of universe origin and the development of a theoretical system combining essence and application.Chuang-Sa(?) Wang played an important role of Hsiung's spiritual companion transcending time and space.Hsiung especially indicated that the origin of his thoughts came from the four key elements proposed by Wang,including respect for life,enlightenment of existence,continuation of movement,and compliance of nature. On the other hand,Hsiung also raised a few questions regarding several issues in Wang's theory and expressed his own opinions.Hsiung,ShihLi's Yi-ology takes the "Ch'ien Yuan" as the core of his ontological cosmology.With the absolute nature and transcendence,Ch'ien Yuan is the basis of such different existent.Based on the thinking mode of rooting,Mr Hsiung ascribe the sixty-four hexagrams to the hexagram of Ch'ien and Kun,then to Orinality Ch'ien.He understands phenomena from the angle of function of ontology that the ontology and phenomena are harmony to the function.Hsiung Shih-li considers that there is a theoretical foundation in Confucius' "Chou-I." This concept also becomes Hsiung's "The Theoretical Assumptions" of "Yi" study.By breaking the myth of the ancient astrologists and "Yi" study of Han School, Hsiung attempts to reveal the true meaning of "Chou-I." The ancient astrologists believed in the Supreme Being in the universe.Such a belief is one of their two basic principles.But Confucius' opinion is "to replace the Supreme Being by Ch'ien Yuan". By saying this,he clearly manifests his assertion to abolish the belief in the Supreme Being and present the idea of Ch'ien Yuan.In the viewpoints of the ancient astrologists that originate from the belief in the myth of the Supreme Being,yin and yang are two kinds of energy while Confucius holds different opinion to "replace yin and yang by the two great applications of Ch'ien and K'un" in which Ch'ien is for life and mind;and K'un for materiality and power.Hsiung also generalizes the making of examples in Confucius' "Chou-I".He thinks that the ancient astrologists choose the signs to divine but this method easily results in a state of disorder.So Confucius changes signs into metaphors,that is,to use signs to illustrate the interpretation;moreover,he further induces them into certain semantic categories.The study of signs and semantic categories is truly the key to comprehend the text of "Chou-I." It is a must to understand the theoretical foundation above so that Hsiung's theory of "unity in essence and action" can be fully appreciated.Hsiung's theory insist equality,revolution and democracy,but his ideology of revolution and democracy has a misallocated structure and meaning,while at the same time he failed to explain properly the balance between democracy and equality. However,Hsiung's ideology's academic values are(1) he emphasized the idea of 'Ren-ti',especially he explained 'Chii'using action.(2) Hsiung's theory insisted that equality,revolution and democracy are based on the concept of structural level.The above two points were the characters of Hsiug's practical-theory.The academic resources of Hsiung Shih-li,who has contributed himself into the research and establishment of function philosophy and laid foundation for the development of contemporary New Confucianism,are quite abundant.Buddhism is one stanchions to support his academic palace.How does Hsiung Shih-li study Buddhism flexibly? On one hand,he advocates the active animadvert on Buddhism;on the other hand,he invokes it to establish his philosophy system.How does Hsiung Shih-li compare the similarities and differences between Confucianism and Buddhism comprehensively? In Hsin Wei Shih Lun,Hsiung Shih-li presents the theory of "unity in essence and action" which has its own significance and undeniable value;however,the argument between Confucianism and Buddhism caused by this theory and Hsiung's modification of his original ideas reveal that there is a need for reexamination on it. Although his later works,such as Yuan Ju,T'i Yung Lun,Ming Hsin P'ien and Ch'ien K'un Yen still develop the spirit of this theory,the study of Buddhism has embodied in them deeply.Especially in Ch'ien K'un Yen which is purely elaborated from "Tuan Juan" of Ch'ien and K'un,it is perceivable that the theory of "unity in essence and action" can still be discussed without referring to the study of Buddhism.Hsiung also confessed that although Ch'ien K'un Yen was written while he was seriously ill,he was at ease with various thoughts thinking,"This is a year of bad luck." Therefore,when it comes to the final conclusion of Hsiung's concepts in his later years or even through his lifetime,Ch'ien K'un Yen would certainly be the central idea to focus on.The article explain the interpretation and reconstruction of Hsiung Shih-li to the Yi-ology from the angle of hermeneutics.As text concerned,there are two inclinations in the ancient study of Yi King:one emphasizes the symbol of the text while the other emphasizes the meaning of it,giving rise to types of hermeneutics.The hermeneutics of Yi King in the Han,Tang and Qing Dynasties lays particular stress on the original meaning of the text while that in the Song and Ming Dynasties lays stress on the psychological creation.Throughout the tradition of the hermeneutics of Yi King,it has been a de-structuralization characterized by criticism,as it is the de-structuralization makes the integration and development of the study of Yi King possible.His classic interpretation mode was imlicated with the tension between relativism and arbitrarism. While,the "metaphor" theory was adopted as a methodology to pleas for his classics interpretation.The free interpretation space in post Confucian classics study times, philosophical purchase for motive force like cultural spirit,and the philosophical transformation from the modern times are partly attributed to the creative combination of modern concepts and traditional wisdom by Hsiung Shih-li himself,and thus having realized the creation of philosophy.In contemporary Chinese literatures that focus on misery and hardship,Mr.Xiong Shili of Huanggang,by constructing function philosophy and developing perception and pioneering thoughts,advocated the learning of retracing the traditions and exploring the modern,and showed outstanding academic performance,thus,set the foundation for contemporary Confucianism.In his life of scholarly research,he studied international researches of the present and past,referred to Confucianism and Taoism as well as ancient books,and consulted a variety of people.Insisted on the concept of "a scholar shall not confine one's thoughts as a frog in a well",Mr.Xiong Shili employed his keen ability in thinking and debating to incorporate different sects while removing their boundary,and refined his knowledge into original learning.