The Taoist Theory And The Political Thought Of Following The Daoism In Huai Nan Zi

The theoretical basis of the study of Huang Lao is derived from the work of Lao zi in the early stage of Han. A representative work of Liu An(the emperor of Huainan in western Han), Huai Nan zi, is influenced by the ideas of Lao zi. The book collects the concepts of Daoismism, Legalists and the Confucianism, vigorously promoting an idea that a monarch should follow the views of inaction politics and obey laws of the nature.The inaction of Huai Nan zi is the succession and development of inaction thought developed by Lao zi, with a certain reformation at the same time. Theoretically, both of their claims are in accordance with the principle of Daoism to guide activity. However, the nature and characteristics of Daoism in Huai Nan zi has been significantly changed, in which the whole world is treated as invisible but is able to be cognized and ultilized. The biggest difference between Huai Nan zi and Lao zi is combining the Daoism and Qi as well as the relationship between Daoism and the Yin-Yang. In Huai Nan zi, Daoism and Qi are always integrated, that is, Daoism and qi are inseparable. Meanwhile, adopting many concepts of Yin-Yang, Huai Nan zi claims that the origin of the universe is illustrated by combination of Daoism and Yin-Yang. In addition, Daoism is just the rules of the world, and the laws of the nature, which is quite different with the knowledge of Lao Zi.Under the guidance of Daoism, the political proposition of Huai Nan zi suggests people to comply with the laws of the nature, showing advantage over the negative thoughts of Lao Zi, namely, "a small country". It is advocated in Huai Nan zi that positive actions are the precedent of inaction. The core political idea is transferred from the god to people to guide and conduct activities. It is emphasized in Huai Nan zi that human should not only respect the laws, and a more important thing is following the laws. Thus, the monarch is supposed to take all measures to achieve good governance. And the ideas of Huai Nan zi can be detailed as:In the process of political governing, the ruler should observe the basic principles of world. Attention should be paid to control his lusts to avoid torturing people. Over-pursuing lust works against to the basic rule of Daoism. The views of Huai Nan zi adheres to the concept of historical evolution, advocating for change according to the changes of time and circumstances, against to the thought of conformism. From the prospective of human’s nature, human society is in the degradation, because being fooled by desires. Righteousness and propriety wisdom, several ethics, are actually against with the nature of human beings. However, from the point of refuging and returning to one’s original nature, regulations are still necessary. Additionally, it is suggested in Huai Nan zi that, the ruler should also follow the idea of the public and be people-oriented. The basic thing is to ensure the basic life need of the people and avoid disturbing the normal order of production and living.When emperor Wu was in charge of the country, the avocations of Huai Nan zi worked poorly with the situation of politics and cannot meet the requirement of emperor Wu to manage the whole country, and even blocked the ways. Liu An broke with the government for his own benefit, but unfortunately got defeated and suicided. Huai Nan zi did not get the acceptance of the emperor and was not implemented. This book was just a tool for Liu An and the emperor to fight for the dominance of utterance. After the death of Liu An, Huai Nan zi got ignored by people. In spite of this, from the point of the whole process of the development of the theory of Huang Lao, Huai Nan zi is still a very important in book in plenty of related books, and is a masterpiece in the early western Han dynasty to describe Huang Lao theory in ancient China.