The Study On Zhang Zai's Theory Of Nature And Mandate

The theory of nature and mandate is not only the important component and starting point in Zhangzai's the heaven and man philosophy, but also the stretching life of Tiandao and practising moral cultivation. This paper is in an attempt to expound Zhangzai's theory of nature and mandate in details from an integrated order of nature—Xing-ming-zhi-li—Liming and Qiming to the relations between nature and mandate, then reaches the approaches of Liming: from expanding the personality to Zhiming, and finally comes to an conclusion: Chengxing and Zhiming. And in order to exlain the systematic study in Zhangzai's theory of nature and mandate.Besides the introduction and the conclusion, this paper divides into three pans.In the first part, the paper outlines Zhangzai's thought of nature and humanity. Firstly, Zhangzai establishes his theory of nature according to the logic from heaven to man, which functions as the media and foundation. Zhangzai takes Taixu which contains the gas as the highest noumeon of the world, and regards the Qi as the universal existence. The conception on universe of Tai-xu-ji-qi is the theoretical basis of Zhangzai's thought of human nature. Secondly, Zhangzai divides the nature into two levels from the inherent structure: born nature and physical nature. Both have differences and indivisible. Born nature, which is purely good, originates from Taixu. The physical nature orginated from the ether is a mixture of good and evil, constantly changes, which is because the difference of temperament displays on everyone's particularity. The two are by on means equal, but are in the different levels and have the different status. Born nature is only the substance. All the thing have the nature. Cover of temperament is different from man and thing. Cover of thick and thin is different from wisdom and stupid. Finally, Zhangzai especially emphasises on learning in Chengxing process. By changing the temperament and knowing the courtesies and forming the characters of Theory of Cultivation Art, man can realize the presentation of born nature and so as to become a person and sage.The second part is the main body of the paper. It explains the doctrine of "Yi-ming-he-yi-cun-hu-li", which is the philosophical ground. By analyzing the concepts of righteousness, mandate and principle, the paper comes to a conclusion, the principle is the moral cultivation. On one's own destiny, Zhangzai divides these two kinds of conditions, one is controllable and be a demand to get it because it originated from heaven, the other is uncontrollable and cannot get it. It is the more attention of his thought. The core of mandate is that the morality can beat the physical nature. The part also elaborates Liming and Qiming, inviability and chance of his thought, and relations between nature and mandate. In his view of life and death, Zhangzai insists that the essence of life and death is the condenstation and dispersion of Qi. Therefore, everyone should seek the perpetuity of moral life.The third part elaborates to realize the method——"Exploring thoroughly the logos and the intusic character to get the natural regulations", principle consists of the thing and society. Exhaustive study of principle begins with expanding the personality. The mind can do it. He classifies knowledge into the visual and auditory knowledge and the knowledge of the virtuous nature. Man should fully expand the latter on basis of the former through Xuxin, Daxin, Lixin. Exhaustive study of principle is enlightenment and sincerity, and expand the personality is sincerity and enlightenment. Given sincerity, there will be an enlightenment; Given enlightenment, there will be sincerity. The complementary of both can reach the realm of unification of the heaven, man and sage. Zhangzai also maintains that exploring thoroughly the logos and the intrinsic character to get the natural regulations is a gradual process and it has the following steps. It is different from brothers Cheng's View of this question at the same time.The last part is the summary of this essay: Chengxing and Zhiming.