The Confucian Study Of Chuang Tzu In Ming Dynasty

The development about the study of Chuang Tzu nearly stalled in the early Ming Dynasty owing to the restriction by Cheng and Zhu’s Neo-Confucianism.And after the mid-Ming period,some scholars made fresh progress.There were many reasons about it.The despotism of politics and religion lightened,and the development of social economy and culture prosperity prospered.Above all,Wang Yangming’s Philosophy of Mind shocked Cheng and Zhu’s Neo-Confucianism seriously.From the angle of quantity,the study of Chuang Tzu in Ming Dynasty surpassed others.It also showed diversified and comprehensive features.Though possessing plagiarizing behavior and some disadvantages,its value is undeniable.The study of Chuang Tzu in Ming Dynasty was another peak after Song Dynasty.Considering the background of the study of Chuang Tzu from Song Dynasty to Ming Dynasty,Taoism,.Buddhism and Confucianism influenced each other,and the roots of fusion is committed to Confucianism.Reflecting on the stage of development of Confucianism,one was Cheng and Zhu’s Neo-Confucianism firstly,one was Wang Yangming’s Philosophy of Mind secondly.Therefore,Chuang Tzu naturally was studied in the view of Confucianism.The tendency was also the biggest characteristic of the study of Chuang Tzu from Song Dynasty to Ming Dynasty.The study of Chuang Tzu in Ming Dynasty inherited the achievement of Song Dynasty.And at the same time,it also produced extremely personal achievement.Yang Shen and Wang Shizhen advocated real learning,with dismissing the talk of Neo-Confucianism.They were in traditional Confucian position to differentiate Confucius and Chuang Tzu’s relationship.They inherited traditional ways which Wang Anshi and Su Shi has created.Yang shen used cynical views and also through the perspective criticised Neo-Confucianism.Meanwhile,He used the Confucian classics blended Chuang Tzu.Wang Shizhen thought that Chuang Tzu had learned Confucius’s veiws,and he escaped from Confucius midway,and Confucius was Lao Tze’ student.Through all these points,Wang Shizhen alleviated the tension of Confucianism and Taoism.Zhu Dezhi,Jiao Hong and Shen Yiguan had always affected by Wang Yangming’s Philosophy of Mind.Standing on the position of blending Taoism,Buddhism and Confucianism,they differentiated the similarities and differences of the integration of Confucianism and Buddhism,and Confucianism.They also interpreted Chuang Tzu in Wang Yangming’s view of points.To the end of Ming Dynasty,adherents of Confucianism gave more perceptual color in interpreting Chuang Tzu.They combined loyal patriotism and their Confucian annotation.This is unique in contrast to all previous dynasties’s Confucian annotation.Dao Sheng and Fang Yizhi represented adherents of Ming Dynasty with the perspective of"entrust-an-orphan".Their teachings reflect the fusion of three religions that started from Tang and Song Dynasty.And they inject the meaning of "filial piety" to express the feeling of patriotism,manifesting their distinctive trait.Overall,the annotation of Chuang Tzu in Confucianism in Ming dynasty developed under the background of the old and new Confucianism emboding the characteristics of different time.Due to the development of the study of Chuang Tzu in Ming Dynasty focused on mid-term and later period of Ming Dynasty,so the trace of evolution is not obvious.Only when adherents of Ming Dynasty showed a strong feeling of loyalty and patriotism,the study of Chuang Tzu in Ming Dynasty had certain evolutive significance.Despite their difference of Confucian annotation to Chuang Tzu,they had consistency in salvation.Though to some extent they distort Chuang Tzu,their perspectives are understandable.