Li Rong Chongxuan Thinking

Li Rong is a well-known master of re-metaphysics in China during the Tang Dynasty after Cheng Xuanying, another Taoist master of re-metaphysics. Li Rong's thought of re-metaphysics has its own unique ideas. Based on the Taoist theory of Zhuangzi and Laozi, Li Rong's re-metaphysics thought has absorbed the Madhyamaka concept from Buddhism especially the prevalent theory of the three treatise school in Early Tang Dynasty, then casts these into a unique philosophy thought with speculative thinking, which occupies an important position in Chinese Philosophy particularly among the re-metaphysics thoughts. This paper states the idea of Li Rong from upside to down side and starts with the establishment of "virtual silent road", then explains Li Rong's thinking of cosmology, theory on truth, cultivation theory and the rationale for the country at various levels. A brief introduction of the general content about this article is given as follows.The first part of this article presents briefly the forming background of the times and the modern research results of Li Rong's re-metaphysics thought then puts forward the innovation and writing methods of this article.The second part of this article describes the twists and turns of Li Rong's life and his major works. Li Rong, a native of Mianyang in Sichuan Province, was a Taoist leader during the period reigned by Emperor Gao in Tang Dynasty and was famous in Chang'an for his debate with Buddhist. Most of Li Rong's works were lost, leaving only"Note by Laozi"for the future generations, which can be seen in"Annotations of the Ascending Westward Scripture"and"Taoteching Compiled by Xuande". Mainly based on Li Rong's"Note by Laozi"corrected and edited by Meng Wentong, this article analyzes Li Rong's thought with the reference"Annotations of the Ascending Westward Scripture"and"Taoteching Compiled by Xuande"in"Daozang".The third part has six chapters which introduce the main ideas of Li Rong. From the way of re-metaphysics he used to explain "virtual silent boulevard" in the very beginning, Li Rong expounded his cosmology of " fury in virtual ", Li believed that "Tao" moved then the heaven and the earth born, and"Tao"produced the heaven and the earth and things in the world through the way of "independence". He linked "Tao" and people through the theory of truth and believed everyone that had the nature of"Tao"could reach the highest ideal place of the "Tao"through cultivating method of "lead to the virtual and quiet condition". It showed that all things are the embodiment of"Tao"through the way of physical and mental cultivation then return to their roots. Finally, it discussed Li Rong's "inaction" theory of national governance which gave priority to"Tao"with a supplement of Confucianism.The fourth part is about the value and significance of Li Rong's of re-metaphysics thought. Played as a connecting role in the development of Chinese philosophy, Li Rong's re-metaphysics thought had a high status in the history of philosophy in China. Having developed the theory of "Tao", Li Rong's re-metaphysics thought made a better explanation about Laozi's theory of self-edification and national governance. Combined with Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, his thought had a more modern tincture in style. Li Rong's fantastic explanation of "road of nothingness"accorded the requirements of Taoism (God is supremacy), which provided a theoretical basis to build Taoism theology. Lastly, the impact of Li Rong's re-metaphysics thought on future generations was introduced.