The Theory Of Human Mind And Nature Of Li Ao Under The Vision Of Three Religions Syncretism

Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism coexisted in the Song and Tang Dynasties.In a comparative perspective,Confucianism couldn't resist Buddhism and Taoism for lack of ontological system of mind and nature . Facing the overall crises after medium Tang Dynasty and serious challenges from Buddhism and Taoism followed the syncretism of three religions .Li Ao completedly changed the learning style of valuing the educational importance of Li and valuing classics exegesis from Han to Tang Dynasties. Li Ao inherited the human mind and nature thoughts of Pre-Qin Confucianism , as well as he absorbed the thoughts of mind and nature ontology of Buddhism and Taoism .On the basis of those thoughts, Li Ao reconstructed human mind and nature theory of Confucianism. He established his ideological system of mind and nature to pointed to new directions of Confucianism. This thesis aims to explore the distinct viewpoints of Li Ao's nature and emotiom, so that stress the significant changes of Confucianism caused by Li Ao's mind and nature theory.This thesis composed of seven parts.In the introduction to this thesis, first of all, a brief description of the present study conditions on Li Ao theory is given here to tell the new purpose of this thesis. Furthermore, it tells the thinking way of Li Ao by contrast the logical thinking of the Confucian revival in the medium Tang Dynasty.The first part of this thesis discusses the background on mind and nature theory of Li Ao was facing. Social background explain the overall crises ,especially the convinced crisis of Confucian caused by the social chaos. Academic background explicate the propenty as well as superiority of Buddhism and Taoism,so as to tell the challenges form Buddhism and Taoism.The second part of this thesis discusses the ontology of nature of Li Ao. Li Ao inherited the mind and nature thoughts of Pre-Qin Confucianism(the view that the principle of heaven link up with human nature.and the wiew that it has continuity between mind and nature). meanwhile he absorbed the ontological thinking way of Buddhism and taked in the content of "Tao's nature", As a result he raised human nature to the level of ontology. The third part of this thesis explores the "emotion"thoughts of Li Ao. Li Ao absorbed the viewpoint of "emotion evil"of Buddhism and Taoism, he came up with the view that "emotion evil" firstly therefore changed the idea about human emotion in the Confucian tradition.The forth part of this thesis tells Li Ao's approach of restoration of nature. Li Ao inherited "Cheng Ming"method to completion of nature developed by Pre-Qin Confucian, meanwhile he absorbed self-cultivation method of Buddhism and Taoism, consequently he created his distinguished approach of restoration of nature, which emphasized the enlightment of human mind and nature.Although the approach of Li Ao's restoration of nature has the traits of Buddhism and Taoism,but he upheld the lofty ideal of inner saint and external king of Confucianism.The final sphere of life of Li Ao has distinctive characteristics of Confucianism.The fifth part of this thesis discusses the significant changes of Confucianism caused by mind and nature theory of Li Ao. Confucianism was changed at several aspect; Confucianism changed from valuing "Five Confucian Classics"to valuing "Yi Zhuan"'and "Four Books"; Confucianism changed from valuing the educational importance of Li to valuing people's awarness of their mind and nature; Confucianism changed from assent emotion to elimination emotion.In the conlusion, it briefly summarizes the development of Confucianism after ontology of nind and nature of Li Ao. Meanwhile, it tries to point out the importance value for contemporary people.The theory of human mind and nature of Li Ao had great influences on the development of Confucianism. Firstly, Confucians changed from exegesis to valuing the meaning of Confucian classics.Scondly,the educational importance of Li became weak, the problem of human mind and nature was emphasized gradually. Finaly,instead of refusing Buddhism and Taoism completely. Confucians began to absorb the thoughts resources of Buddhism and Taoism.so as to restructure Confucianism's theory. Meanwhile, Li Ao approved of inner consciousness of virtue. the deep sense of value ration reflected in Li Ao's ideas has useful enlightenment for today's people.