Confucianism's Impacts On Ge Hong

Ge Hong is not only a famous Taoist theoretician in Eastern-Jin Dynasty but also a founder of Golden elixir school of Chinese Taoism. He plays an important role in history of Taoism and history of science and technology. His most important works is Bao Puzi. The Outer Chapter of Bao Puzi is Confucianism, and the Internal Chapter of Bao Puzi is Taoism. Ge Hong preached syncretism of Confucianism and Taoism. This paper mainly studies Bao Puzi, and discusses the impacts of Confucianism on Ge Hong.The thought of Outer Chapter of Bao Puzi embodies Confucianism particularity. Ge Hong respects and develops Confucianism. Firstly, he emphasizes regality and liege, and advocates essential ethic of loyalty. Secondly, he regards the concept of Ren (仁) and Xing(刑) as a tool of governance, and advocates the thought of kingcraft. Thirdly, for the bad custom of society, he advocates the thought of cultivation. Finally, with the thought of retrogression, he advocates the thought of evolution.In Internal Chapter of Bao Puzi, he unifies the Taoism and Confucianism. Firstly, he absorbs the Confucianism concept of loyalty and fealty into the doxy of Taoism. Secondly, he demonstrates the consistency of godship and saint, and advocates syncretism of Confucianism and Taoism. Thirdly, he absorbs the patriarchal clan system of feudatorial into Taoism, and founds the strict rank of Taoism. He opposes Taoism of folk, and regards it as heresy. Finally, he deems that the ultimate ideality is hankering avenue of longevity. He puts forward that people should pay attention to living and happiness.Ge Hong unifies the Confucianism and Taoism. He absorbs the Confucianism of loyalty, fealty, mercy and faith into Commandment of Taoism. Ge Hong's syncretism of Confucianism and Taoism satisfied the comprehensive needs of society at the time, and provides guarantee for the official position of Golden elixir school. His thought influences the development of later Taoism.