On Mencius's Theory Of "Cultivation Of Mind"

The theory of"cultivation of mind"is a very important aspect of Mencian thought.On basis of Mencius original text,this thesis absorbs some new research results and tries to draw the sketch of the theory of"cultivation of mind"of mencius.Firstly,by analysing many meanings of"mind"in Mencius, this thesis expounds the meaning of"cultivation of mind"."Cultivation of mind"means the cultivation of self-controlled mind and moral mind:The cultivation of self-controlled mind can make people realize themselves;The cultivation of moral mind can make people saint.Secondly,this thesis analyses the reasons of"cultivation of mind"by combining the main viewpoint of mencian thought."Cultivation of mind"is very necessary because moral mind is people's"Liang Gui",and people's"good beginnings"is easily gone.Thirdly,by analysis of mencius chapter related to the theme,this thesis concludes the main ways and spirit realm of"cultivation of mind".The ways of"cultivation of mind"include Shang Zhi,keeping mind to good, discreasing desires,resorting to oneself and Yang Qi.The spirit realm of"cultivation of mind"is the unity of heaven and human being.Finally,from the aspect of history of thought, by comparison the Mencius original text with the Guo-dian new unearthed materials of confucianism and Guan-zi Four-chapters, this thesis briefly accounts for the influence and significance of the theory of"cultivate mind"of mencius.The author believe the significance of the theory emphasizes two points:One is that Mencian"cultivate mind"theory uplifts people's subjective spirit;The other is that the theory lay the foundation of confucianism moral self-cultivation theory.