Study On Xu Heng’s Theory Of Moral Cultivation

Under the background of spreading Neo-Confucianism to the north in the early Yuan Dynasty,Xu Heng acquired the book of Cheng-Zhu from Yao Shu,after careful reading and thinking,he realized the transformation from Hermeneutics to the learning of Cheng-Zhu.At this time,the disadvantages of Neo-Confucianism have gradually revealed,and it was difficult for Confucian scholars to make official careers and manage life.Facing the complex academic environment,Xu Heng took on the task of disseminating and developing Neo-Confucianism,and reconstructed the theory of moral cultivation in line with the reality of Yuan Confucianism.Xu Heng ’s theory of moral cultivation is based on the temperament theory and the heaven principle.In the construction of the theory of Mind-Nature,Virtue,which includes mind nature as a whole,shows the basis of morality.Xu Heng blurred the strict boundary between the mind and li.He put forward "the natural spirit and ability of the original mind" and "the mind is like a printing plate".He improved the status and role of the heart.In the relationship of governing qi,Xu Heng formulated a detailed theory of physical endowment,physical endowment and material desire to demonstrate the root of evil and the necessity of moral self-cultivation.He made a new interpretation of "universality and particularity",Explained "universality and particularity" in terms of "the nature which heaven confers" and "the fate which physical endowment",the particularity lies in "what you do" and the foothold is moral self-cultivation efforts."Turning inward and being sincere" is the process of "qi is obedient to li",the ontology of Mind-Nature appears outside.In the construction of the theory of moral cultivation,Xu Heng constructed the theory of "the union of heaven and man".He advocated continuous refresh through awaking goodness and reflection,and finally reached the realm of sincerity.About the specific methods of becoming sages,he put forward respect as the foundation of self-cultivation,holding respect can not be interrupted.Specifically,according to the different state of the mind is divided into cultivation,caution,self-reflection.Respect runs through the whole process of unprovoked and quiet,external and internal,all stages of moral cultivation and life.Courtesy is a ritual of respect,respect and practice constitute the main line of self-cultivation.Xu Heng advocated knowing nature and regulation of courtesies,with self-respect and courtesies practice to make mind and body comfort.He regarded moral cultivation as two things of knowing and doing,and constructed moral self-cultivation in detail from the perspective of knowing and doing.He put forward the theory: knowing and doing should be carried out together,he linked investigation of things and mind-nature theory,showing the tendency of integrating with Zhu and Lu.He emphasized the saint’s virtues of " to learn to apply" and "the marvelous changes".Xu Heng ’s theory of moral cultivation shows the construction characteristics of his Neo-Confucianism.First of all,Xu Heng mainly focused on Zhu school,and adopted two Cheng,Zhang Zai,Zhang Shi and other’s theories to construct the theory of moral cultivation.Secondly,his investigating things took into account the principle of things,and focused on the knowledge of the mind;he interpreted "investigating things" as inward effort,his Da Xue Yao Lue put forward that investigating things,attaining to awareness,sincerity to the heart should be based on righteousness;Point the purport of the investigating things to the mind;it shows the tendency of integrating with Zhu and Lu.Thirdly,Xu Heng reflected on the Neo-Confucianism and the reality of Confucianism,put forward the theory of living style,and paid attention to moral practice.Xu Heng’s theory of moral cultivation has an important impact on his students and Guan School,Xingzhou School and Caolu School;the theory of "living style" influenced the practical academic in the Ming and Qing dynasties;integrating with Zhu and Lu affected the Yangming ’s learning,making the Neo-Confucianism of Yuan Dynasty become an important part of the history of the development of Neo-Confucianism.