The Study Of Shu Concept In Cheng Zhu's School

"Shu" has become an important category of history of Chinese thought began in The Analects of Confucius.It twice mentioned,"Shu".In Li Ren,Zeng Zi said,the persisitent core value of our teacher is Zhongshu.But he did't explain what is Zhongshu.What's more,he did not explain why the persisitent core value become the two areas of "Zhong" and "Shu".These two questions became the key to future controversy.In Wei Ling Gong,Confucius said,"Shu" is the word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life.What you don't want done to yourself,don't do to others.This confucius' understanding of "shu",which becomes the basis for the later interpretation of the thought of "shu".In the Han and Tang Dynasties,Confucius scholar on the analysis of the thought of "shu",generally based on "similar psychological emotions is shu",emphasizing heart to heart,joy shared with others.The classic expression of "try our best is called loyalty,self-application is called Shu"is written by Mr.Yichuan's annotation of Analects of Confucius.Zhu Zi cited this expression.Thus it become the core content of the later Confucianism to explain the idea of zhongshu.Using "try our best" and "self-application" to explain zhongshu thought began in Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi."Zhong" is for themselves,to be the heart of the real,"Shu"is for the outside world,to their own real emotions imposed on people and things,the real heart is Cheng.On this basis,Zhu Zi is divided the point of "self-application is called Shu" into two levels.On the one hand,"push oneself to others",their own desire and evil is shared with others,for example,their own very filial piety,and know that others want to filial piety,then they will help others to filial piety.This is a kind of heart to heart care.Second,"push oneself to things".I need to apply the principle in specific things,for example,push the hearts of filial piety in the relationship between father and son.Zhu Zi believes that these two aspects are interrelated.Li not far from people.Those who require others to meet should be taken for granted,they also use the same method to improve their moral cultivation.Therefore,Cheng zhu neo-Confucianism "Shu" Thought not only concerned about others,but also improve their own cultivation.Standing on their own point of view to guess others,will inevitably lead to two problems.First,if I have adifferent understanding and needs with others,how can guarantee "push oneself to others" possible?Second,even if others and I have a common need for something,it cannot guarantee that the demand is legal and ethical.How is "push oneself to others" possible,involving the theory of human nature of Cheng Zhu Neo-Confucianism."Heaven-endowed Nature" provides good human nature.Physical Nature include good and evil.Thus,in real life both have good people and evil people.Although the temperament of good and evil is also inherently endured,but through civilizing,learing and practicing,human nature can eventually becoming good.Transformation requires their own efforts,but also need someone else's guidance,from this sense,"push oneself to others" are necessary."Zhong is substance and Shu is function" can guarantee "push oneself to others" in line with the moral norms.Zhong is the presentation of Li,there are lots of Li,but for its large,people only to reach a consensus on the monarch and minister,father and son,couples and friends ethical relations,and forming a universal value.