Chen Baisha Primary Static Philosophy Research

Being one of the key representatives of Xin-ism in Ming Dynasty, Chen Xianzhang’sphilosophical thoughts are merged with Confucism, Buddhism, and Taoism, which areregarded as the start of Xin-ism. Chen’s theory does not form an overall framework like TwoChengs and Zhu Xi. It aims to influence people with his own meditation and lifestyle than toconvince others via dictation. Chen’s philosophy is full of poetry, rooted in ‘come withoutforce’ and ended with ‘being natural’. Rather, it’s backboned by a character of ‘Static’. The‘Static’ does not refer to doing nothing, nor the nothingness. Rather, Chen’s theory is alwayslinked to daily lives, connected to social practice. Chen listens to the intrinsic needs, trying toreturn to original status through ‘Static’ and then connect ‘myself’ with the very originalwants and needs. Eventually, it reaches the status of ‘Self-retention’ and enjoys the world of‘true natural joy’. Such spiritual status is not seen as escaping from the real world quoted inDaoism, but to persue the joy of nature, joy of being at work, and joy of filial and love.Chen’s philosophy had tremendous influence on the fellow philosophers such as ZhanRuoshui and Wang Yangming, even on the entire Xin-ism in Ming Dynasty. At a modernsociety driven by market economy, there is a need to comprehend Chen’s ‘Static’philosophyand apply it to day-to-day lives, which is expected to make life better and improve theharmony of community.