Research On Xunzi's Theory Of Self-Cultivation

The Study of Chinese philosophy had been undergone from imitating passively western paradigm to positively partaking philosophical legislation of power,which based on the common basis of philosophy.The study of Gong-fu(endeavor)in Chinese philosophy,especially Confucian Gong-fu had been deepened.So Gong-fu Study had played vital roles both in studying Chinese Philosophy and carrying forward traditional culture,that is,how to improve and promote rapidly and effectively one's own study and self-cultivation to a higher level.The theory of Gong-fu started from moral recognition and moral training and practice,and then promote moral level,and surpassed innate heart,and then reached the practical goal of becoming worthy persons and sages,especially inner saints and outer kings.In the history of Chinese philosophy,it was the Confucian scholars in the Song and Ming dynasties who talked a lot on Gong-fu theory,but this did not mean that original Confucians did not talk about Gong-fu.As the last Confucian master of pre-Qin Dynasty,Xun Zi had shouldered the great task of criticizing various schools and inherited and developed Confucian thoughts in Chinese history.The thesis will conduct a textual analysis on the Book of XunZi,and dig the intellectual resources of Xun Zi's theory of self-cultivation and endeavor,that is,Gong-fu,based on which the thesis will also explore the features of XunZi's theory of Gong-fu and build up Xunzi's theoretical system of self-cultivation.Xunzi started from strict rational thinking and his experience world and tried to build up empirical epistemology.He aimed to build up his epistemology by beginning with heavenly organs and heart-knowing,and then tried to classify according to names,and set up categories,and clearly cut off the boundary of recognition,and finally broke doubts and revealing.So his strict epistemology laid a solid foundation for his theory of Gong-fu.In his Gong-fu theory,Xunzi firstly emphasized the importance of teachers and education,which he thought was the best way to prove the velocity and efficiency of self-cultivation and endeavor.The later endeavor of ritual and accumulation should be under guidance of the teachers.So Xun Zi laid his basis on human nature was evil,and proposed his theory of self-cultivation and transform evil human nature to artificial second nature.The theory of ritual was vital in Xun Zi theory of Gong-fu,for all human flesh,will,wisdom,drinking,dress,dwell,action,appearance,attitude,fate and walk,all of these should be controlled by ritual.One would be smooth if he followed ritual,and on the contrary,if he was not smooth if he disobeyed the ritual.So during the process of self-cultivation,he would also focused on reading Confucian classics,because the way of the world should be attributed to the sage,but the way of the sage would be hidden in Confucian classics.So on the Gong-fu of controlling one's desires,Xun Zi thought following the ritual was the direct way,so under the help of the teacher,one should devoted himself into self-discipline and also made great endeavor in Sincerity.Xun Zi thought human nature was evil,and he proposed artificial second nature,and then he emphasized great accumulation and tried to move the quality,by which way transform a man from outside to inside,at last,he could reach the goal of self-cultivation of ultimate Good by music education,for music education could lead a man to a better realm.This was called to be perfect in music.Xun Zi's theory of self-cultivation was characterized by complete system,strict logic and peculiar thinking,and was the precious resources in the history of Chinese philosophy.So how to dig and study Xun Zi's self-cultivation and Gong-fu theory-will better inherit and develop excellent Chinese traditional culture and promote individual self-cultivation positively.As the basis of self-cultivation,Xun Zi's epistemology displayed the empirical features and could be comparatively studied with western philosophy.The thesis will make some attribution in this field by building up the complete theoretical system of Xun Zi's theory of self-cultivation.This complete system will begin with basis,surpass and complete.This tentative effort will do good to the study of Xun Zi's self-cultivation and Gong-fu theory and be significance of promotion to practical self-cultivation.Xun Zi had profound thoughts and he had conducted deep study and serious criticism to previous thinkers and schools and also inheritance and confusion to their thoughts.So Xun Zi's philosophy deserved deep study for its rich connotation and broad contents.