The Inner Practice Of Pursuing "Unity Of Heaven And Man"

The Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism are tributaries of Chinese culture; they communicated each other and interacted with each other. The Taoism formed its culture and art, ideological theories and belief systems. In the long development history, there are quite a few famous Taoism scholars. For example, Zhang Yuchu (1359ad-1410ad) who is the43rd leader of Zheng Yi Dao, which is one of the most important sects of Daoism.This article includes six chapters, an introduction and conclusion. At first of this paper, studies on current situation of academic research on Zhang Yuchu were reviewed in the introduction, analyzing the achievements and shortcomings of existing research. Besides, research methods and main problems of this paper are presented.The first chapter mainly introduces the life history and home culture background of Zhang Yuchu. Through analyzing his materials which including his historical facts, family culture background and personal academic interests, the cultural characters of his Taoism philosophy are easily understood.The second chapter talks about the characteristics of Zhang Yuchu’s Taoism philosophy. Zhang Yuchu’s Taoism philosophy system is viewed as an integral research object. To clarify the source and course of Zhang Yuchu’s philosophy system. In Yuan and Ming dynasty, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism formed a mode of tripartite confrontation. Zhang Yuchu’s philosophy system also shows the characteristics of not only synthesizing Buddhism, but also verses in Confucianism, the categories of Buddhism and Taoism philosophy, philosophical spirit and the method of interpretation are accepted and absorbed into Zhang Yuchu’s philosophy system naturally.The third chapter expounds Zhang Yuchu’s Tao theory. He references the theory of "Tai xu is Qi" from Zhang Zai and presents a Taoism-based theory which regards the Tao is the substance in universe and Qi is produced from it. Basis on this, Zhang Yuchu proves the rationality of the standpoint mentioned above. Affected by Neo-Confucianism, Zhang Yuchu deduces his Taoism-based theory with other category, such as Xin, Li and Tai Chi. It results that Zhang Yuchu’s philosophy system epitomizes a inclination of Neo-Confucianism.The fourth chapter discusses Zhang Yuchu’s "philosophy of nature of mind" including Xin and Xing. In the aspect of Xin, he harmonizes the theory named "Xin is Tai Chi" of Shao Yong and named "Xin is principle" of Lu Jiuyuan. In the aspect of theory of human nature, he absorbed the theory of Mencius called "the theory of good nature" and the theory from Neo-Confucianism named "mind dominated character and sentimental", and then, he discusses the relationship between "Xin, Xing and Qing". Based on this, he distinguishess the current situation which the nature is goodness and there is evil in human nature in realistic life. In addition to, he points out that achieving the immortal means cultivation our mind and trying our natural ability to find transcendental goodness.The fifth chapter expounds that Zhang Yuchu’s theory of Dan Tao. He proposes that Qi is the basis of Dan, our body is a tripod and furnace during the procedure of refining Dan, and Yuan Qi cultivated with Yuan Shen. Based on this position, he puts forward to the thought named "Xin is Tian Gang ", which means that inside practices is the key in the process of refining Dan. Finally, he holds that the theory of alchemy is in accordance with the principle of Tai Chi actually. It makes contribution to form the character which is attaching importance to the Yi-ology principle and refining Dan.The sixth chapter discusses Zhang Yuchu’s Taoism cultural reform theory. He absorbs the view which called "Dao is the fundamental of Taoist magic arts" from the new south sects of Taoism, and the methods of cultivation from Quan Zhen Taoism. It accelerates the communication and integration of Zheng Yi Dao and Quan Zhen Taoism.The conclusion gives a brief analysis which is the causes of Zhang Yuchu’s philosophy and the effects of his Taoism philosophy. First, Zhang Yuchu’s Taoism philosophy thought is a product of history which Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism influenced and communicated each other. Secondly, Zhang Yuchu’s philosophy shows objectively reflects the Taoism ontology transfer from natural ontology to the life ontology, that is, it is a transformation of academic interest in Taoism philosophy theory. What’s more, during that time, Taoism was depraved already, Zhang Yuchu particularly pays attention to inner practice, and it shows that he makes efforts to revive the Taoism arduously.