A Study On Zhu Xi’s Thought Of “Refuting Buddhism”

This paper is based on the main research literature of Zhuzi Yulei,and combs,analyzes,studies and demonstrates Zhu Xi’s thought of "refute Buddha".First of all,on the basis of the summary of the research on Zhu Xi’s thought of "refute the Buddha" in the academic circle,the author examines the historical background of Zhu Xi’s thought of "refute the Buddha" from four aspects: the impact of political background,the stimulation of Buddhist development,the need for Confucian innovation and the trend of Buddhist and Confucian integration,and reveals the theoretical source of his thought of "refute the Buddha" through the analysis of the transformation from Zen to Confucianism in the process of Zhu Xi’s thought.Secondly,in terms of doctrine,the author takes Zhu Xi’s query on the source of Buddhist doctrine in the form and content of Buddhist classics as the starting point,and expounds his criticism on Buddhist doctrine in terms of thinking logic,wrong understanding and the theory of life and death.Thirdly,in the aspect of mind and nature,the author believes that Buddhism is only based on "function as nature" through Zhu Xi’s interpretation of Buddhism’s "nature",revealing Zhu Xi’s criticism of Buddhism’s neglect of "nature";Through the different understanding of "mind" between Confucianism and Buddhism,it is pointed out that Zhu Xi believes that Buddhism only pays attention to "view mind" and ignores "Tao mind",revealing Zhu Xi’s criticism of Buddhism’s indulging in "view mind";Through Zhu Xi’s understanding of Buddhism’s "emptiness",he believes that Buddhism is "irrational in the heart",revealing Zhu Xi’s criticism of Buddhism’s adherence to "emptiness in the heart".Fourthly,in terms of ethics,on the one hand,the author reveals Zhu Xi’s criticism of Buddhism’s impact on Confucian sacrificial rites based on the Confucian position,and on the other hand,the author reveals Zhu Xi’s criticism of Buddhism’s disregard for Confucian ethics from the aspects of Buddhism’s "no kinship","no predestined mercy","protecting false" and "abusing others".Finally,in terms of Gongfu,the author reveals Zhu Xi’s criticism of the ethical time and practice time of Buddhism on the one hand;On the other hand,it reveals Zhu Xi’s appreciation of Buddhism’s "refined and specialized" work and "conservation and maintenance" work.All in all,based on the carding,analysis and argumentation of the above four aspects,the author believes that the fundamental reason for Zhu Xi’s misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Buddhism is his "intentional misreading" of Buddhism,and the purpose of Zhu Xi’s "intentional misreading" is to revive Confucianism and maintain the absolute position of Confucian orthodoxy.Therefore,on the whole,Zhu Xi’s thought of "refute Buddhism" reflects his attitude towards Buddhism’s "bright criticism and dark acceptance",which is the result of his historical mission of inheriting the Confucian orthodoxy,and the "dark acceptance" is the result of his real value of realizing the "benefits" of Buddhism and helping to control the current disadvantages of Confucianism.The combination of "overtly criticize" and "secretly absorb" in Zhu Xi’s thought of "refute Buddha" not only reflects the theoretical essence of Zhu Xi’s thought of "refute Buddha",but also affects,stimulates and promotes the integration of Buddhism and Confucianism,and even the final confluence of Confucianism,Buddhism and Taoism.