Studies On Liao' Fuxingshu

The New Confucianism is a form of Confucianism from Song Dynasty to the New Culture Movement, however, how did it form? It's generally believed that Han Yu's Yuandao is the beginning of it, but Han Yu holds the view that if they want to spread the Confucianism,they have to forbid the Taoism and Buddhism. What's more, the monks and Taoists must be allowed to resume secular life. Besides, the books of Taoism and Buddhism must be burnt and the temples and Taoist temples must be reconstructed to people's houses. Also, the Confucianism from the ex-emperor must be expressed to indoctrinate the people , which isn't consistent with the thought of the integrating of Confucianism and Buddhism. However, later Li Ao's Fuxingshu began to discuss the humanity from the view of"restore humanity"and integrate Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, which has great influences on the development of the New Confucianism.Li Ao is a famous researcher of Confucianism in mid-Tang period. He wants to write the history of the country with the thought of Confucius and"Justice for All in the World". He is devoted to restoring the history. Therefore, though he doesn't have many works, yet when faced the disadvantages of the development of the Confucianism because of the rapid development of Taoism and Buddhism, on the one hand, he develops Mencius' Theory of Goodness, on the other hand, he takes in the core of Confucianism and Taoism to create Fuxingshu ,which reconstructs the Inwardness Theory of Confucianism and raises the view that there won't be any desire as long as one doesn't think of anything, thus, there can be integrity. The way to cultivate oneself according to a religious doctrine is to know the core of humanity; without evil thoughts, there won't be movement or stillness, which can help one reach the state of stillness, which has great influences on the New Confucianism. The writer aims at positioning Li Ao's Fuxingshu in the development of the New Confucianism by discussing the background he grows and analyzing his Inwardness Theory, that is, he is the real beginning of the New Confucianism.