| Since mencius human nature has gradually become the core issue of Confucian discussion, scholars of all previous dynasties put forward various theories. In the theory of human nature, relationship between nature and feelings is the most fundamental theory. However, before Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism Confucian thought of nature and feelings was in confusion and had not formed a relatively complete system. In this context, since the sui and tang dynasties it suffered a huge impact of Buddhism, that made the social status of Confucian shaken, and prompted some scholars to reform and perfect it. In mid and late tang dynasty, on the basis of Confucian classics, Li Ao comprehensived various thoughts of sui and tang dynasties and put forward a proposition, namely, nature is good and feelings is good or evil, and built up his unique theory of recovering nature. Li Ao’s theory announced the beginning of Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism, and laid a foundation for Confucian scholars in the Song and Ming Dynasties to establish perfect Confucian theories of human nature.In his theory, Li Ao discussed the human nature by feelings and explained the idea of feelings and the importance of overcomeing evil feelings. So, he opened the way of good nature and evil feelings for Confucianism explicitly. In onder to perfect his theory, he advocated the cultivation of quenching feelings and recovering nature further. His theory is a summary and promotion of Confucian thought of nature and feelings, and it is an adjustment between Confucianism and Buddhism because of absorbing Buddhist thought. This paper aims to explain his proposition of feelings and the theoretical position of veil feelings, and to prove that Li Ao has borrowed some Buddhist thought to promote the development of Confucianism. Li Ao’s theory is the turning point of Confucian theories of huamn nature, and it promoted the formation and development of Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism,and it has a large impact on Confucian theories of human nature. |
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