Research On Zhang Zai's "School Of Classics"

As an important document on studying Zhang Zai's theory,Assembled Principles of Classical Learning(hereinafter referred to as Assembled Principles)is the classified collection of quotations from Analects of Confucius,and Mencius in "Six Classics" as interpreted by Zhang Zai.It not only reveals characteristics of Zhang Zai's thought for Confucian Classics,but also demonstrates Zhang Zai's judgment and conception of development orientation of Confucianism.In addition,changes of study the style in the whole Zhao and Song dynasties can be revealed from it.Text structure of Assembled Principles showed an obviously great proportion for interpretation of Analects of Confucius,and Mencius in "Three Rites",followed by Book of Songs,Shu,and Book of Changes.Compared with other works of Zhang Zai,one-third of Assembled Principles originates from great works like Opinions for Book of Rites,Opinions for Analects of Confucius,and Opinions for Mencius,the first of which is most related to Assembled Principles.Besides,a minority of Assembled Principles contents came from Zhang Zi's Quotations and Opinions for Book of Changes by Mr Hengqu,without referring to Zhengmeng(Childhood Cultivation).However,Assembled Principles has some words with similar meaning and related implication with Zhengmeng.It can be seen that Zhengmeng has extracted from Assembled Principles.From an expressive aspect,Zhengmeng is the deepened and extended form of Assembled Principles,whose words covered Zhang Zai's multiple life stages involved with philosophical theory.Assembled Principles was the collection of great early and mid-term works including Quotations in "Opinions for Classics",and was also the preparation and foundation for masterpiece Zhengmeng in late-term,which played an important role in study on Zhang Zai's thought for Confucian Classics.Confucian Classics transformation has served as foundation for ideological trend of Neo-Confucianism,which gradually turned into main academic trend in Xining and Yuanfeng Years of Northern Song Dynasty,and cultivated branches,Argumentation Study of Neo-Confucianism,or Neo-Confucianism,plus Argumentation Study of Non-Neo Confucianism.Assembled Principles concentrates on chapter of Neo-Confucianism,as systematical elaboration towards Argumentation and Study on Neo-Confucianism.Zhang Zai's Neo-Confucianism focused on study of world nature with main objective of "Morality and Life",presenting a flexible and appropriate external form oriented by intrinsic contents.Zhang Zai attached great significance to treating intrinsic nature and source when he conducted study.He took chapter Assembled Principles-Study of Great Nature as the center regarding nature,orientation,and principle as Great Nature of Study,erected source of main body and reconstruction of reasons,created his own study for Morality and Life,and argued in a speculative way.Oriented by "Morality Ambition",it contains his life ambition to "absolutely master knowledge of former saints",and erected study objective and foothold with principle of "Extreme Justice".Zhang Zai formed study ways like Getting Used to Study,Always Suspecting in Study,Discussing Academic Opinions Making Friends,Reading and Reciting Proficiently,"Extracting Key Points","Summarizing the Whole","Understanding All",and "Mutual Reference and Verification".Zhu Xi was the one most impressed by it,claiming "Order of studies by Mr.Hengqu could be the most precise.�In addition,Zhang Zai was inspired by "Using Ideas to Judge Thoughts of Others" of Mencius,exerted thoughts "Modesty and Knowledge" in interpretation of classics,and created characteristic way for unscrambling lections,called "Mind Unscrambling",which was product of his philosophical construction guiding interpretation of classics."Character Change" system proposed by Zhang Zai showed his recognition of practical character of Confucianism,and showed that an era emphasizing self-morality and practice system of Confucianism leaner had come.He summarized opinion of Mencius,proposed Dual Humanity of "Two Nature Defines All Humanity",respectively "Given Nature" and "Cultivated Nature",which perfectly concluded long-lasting Confucian argumentation about humanity.Zhang Zai also defined outline of Neo Confucianism humanity,and was highly recognized by scholars in Neo Confucianism history.He emphasized on Character Change,and Change by Cultivation",and proposed lots of specific schemes like setting up ambition,learning,courtesy,and modesty around practical "Study",which became a language mutually used and promoted by later Confucian scholars,and formed a development structure for system opinion in the whole Song,Ming,and Qing dynasties.Chapter Self-Description in Assembled Principles was mostly experience and consciousness of Study in Zhang Zai's life,whose journey of study,learning,character of "Brave for Public Affairs and Delay for Personal Affairs",and ambition of"absolutely master knowledge of former saints" can be understood in"Self-Description".Spirit of "Absolutely master knowledge of former saints and create foundation for eternal peace and prosperity" in "Four Hengqu Sentences" has been focused and demonstrated in Assembled Principles,especially "absolutely master knowledge of former saints",where Zhang Zai has made the most efforts,achieved the most greatly,and truly realized his life ambition.