Research On Lin Yutang's Confucianism

Lin Yutang(1895-1976),a well-known writer and translator in the modern history of China,has a long history of writing.He “both feet tread Chinese and Western culture,bent on the universe article”,in English created a large number of works with Chinese culture.However,most scholars in the academic circle mostly focus on the literary aspect of Lin Yutang.They pay less attention to his rich and quite distinctive views on ideology.In fact,at present,the academic circle has not given an accurate definition of Lin Yutang’s contribution to Confucianism,and the study of Lin Yutang’s Confucianism has always been in the dilemma of neglect and marginalization.Therefore,with Lin Yutang’s special life course as the main axis,with its related articles about Confucius or Confucianism as banners,sort out his unique view of Confucianism,which has a great significance and value in modern society.As a representative of liberalism,Lin Yutang is “anti-orthodox,not anti-traditional,” “knows the West,and does not dance with the tune of the West,”and the resulting Confucianism view is unique.On the one hand,Lin Yutang,by evaluating Confucius,Mencius,Xunzi,and Dai Zhen and other Confucian representative figures,proposed “returning Confucius and Mencius Faces” and “Duo Zhu Hui Kong”,and advocated the creation of “lively Kong Qiu”.In the understanding of the “The Four Books”,he broke the traditional “The Four Books” arrangement,according to the order of the “Golden Mean”,“University”,“The Analects of Confucius” and “Mencius”,proposed that the Confucian classics should be less of the natural science of life,and more factual explanations.On the other hand,Lin Yutang rethought his Confucianism from Taoism and Christian faith.Lin Yutang once said: “Those Neo-Confucians have seen Confucius’ s lessons through the eyes of Buddhists.Why can’t I see the teachings of Confucius through Taoist eyes?” Therefore,by analyzing his comparison of Confucianism and Taoism,it can be concluded that in Lin Yutang’s view,Confucianism is “too rigid and correct”,it is necessary to use “Taoism” to explain “Benevolence”,follow the mean attitude of the integration of Confucianism and Taoism,and advocate “half and half Philosophy” outlook on life.Christianity was also associated with Lin Yutang’s life.Although he had experienced the “pagan” period,in his later years he re-established his belief in Christ and mixed Confucianism,Buddhism and Taoism,especially the humanist spirit of Confucianism.In terms of his ideological position in his later years,he can be classified as a “Confucian Christian” representative.Lin Yutang relied on well-founded Confucian figures and Confucian classics,supplemented by his unique interpretation of ideas,and absorbed and recognized the ideas of Taoism,Buddhism,Legalism,and Christianity.They complemented each other,integrated and formed unique Confucianism.Lin Yutang’s distinctive and unique view of Confucianism is certainly not lacking in consideration of imperfections and imprecision,but in summary,at least the following three points are worth noting: First,De-sanctification Confucius.Lin Yutang denied that Confucius who “demonized” did not recognize Confucius as “consecrated”,and advocated the construction of a humorous and humorous “confucian” image,which reconstructs the image of modern Confucius and recognizes Confucius traditional and Confucian culture.Knowledge and research are sober and enlightening;Second,the diversion between the original Confucianism and the latter Confucianism.The view of Confucianism diversion is an important clue that permeates Lin Yutang’s view of Confucianism.He divides Confucianism into Confucius,Mencius,and Confucianism.On this basis,he puts forward the developmental viewpoint of “Duo Zhu Hui Kong”,which is not only his Confucian view of Confucianism.The center of gravity is also the most important feature of Confucianism.Moreover,under the perspective of humanism,he examined the Confucianism of the Confucius and Mencius with the concept of modern universal values,emphasizing equality and fraternity among human beings,and excavating universal humanist values from it.This interpretation and elucidation led to Confucianism.The emergence of vivid colors is a development of Confucianism in the modern context;Third,the wide and transparent vision of Confucianism.Looking at Lin Yutang’s cognition of Confucianism,we can see that Taoism,Buddhism,Legalism,and the thoughts of Christ are mixed together,making Confucianism more open and inclusive,which undoubtedly foreshadow modern Confucianism and China in a certain sense and the future of traditional cultural development.