A Study On Xunzi’s Cultivation Theory ——Centering On The Discrimination Between Human Nature And Virtue

To become virtuous,Xunzi’s core point of view is Huaxingqiwei（化性起伪）,and the process from the nature to humanity is the process of cultivation.Although the theory of self-cultivation（Mind-nature self-cultivation theory）has been the core topic of Confucianism in the Song and Ming Dynasties.As a matter of fact,in the pre-Qin period,"Xiuyang"as a subsequent concept was often divided into"cultivate"and"trim".The original text of Xunzi indicates that the"trim"refers to excessive desire and"cultivate"refers to balanced growth.By cultivating body and mind,saints improve humanity to protect and balance their desires and giving them a stable life.The distinction between human nature and virtue is the logical premise of Huaxingqiwei（化性起伪）,and it is also the theoretical presupposition of the self-cultivation in Xunzi.If we want to change the nature,so that the"natural nature of nothingness"（不事而自然之性）can be transformed into"the virtue of the accumulation of habitual energy"（积虑习能而后成之伪）,which is inseparable from the full exertion of"the function of mind"（心之使）.If you want the function of the mind to be fully exerted,it is necessary for you to use Xunzi’s self-cultivation technique.The content of the cultivation theory in Xunzi originates from the pre-Qin Confucian way of self-cultivation and the Taoist way of nourishing the mind.Meanwhile it has been innovated on the basis of integrating the two:thoughts such as"nourishing the mind with sincerity"（以诚养心）"Xuyierjing"（虚壹而静）"demasking the mind"（解心之蔽）"learning from propriety,justice,law and teachers"（师法礼义）"place oneself in custom"（注错习俗）together constitute Xunzi’s cultivation method of Huaxingqiwei（化性起伪）.The Daqingming mind can consider whether the behavior conforms to the norms of etiquette and righteousness;the sincere mind can uphold benevolence and righteousness,and nourish all things and all peoples.But people are not born with a clear mind and sincerity,so the cultivation of the mind is the key to transforming one’s nature into virtue.The goal of cultivation theory in"Xunzi"is to realize ideal personality and benign politics,to transform one’s nature and then to become false,so that inner sages can be outer kings.Therefore,the theory of self-cultivation is also Xunzi’s new interpretation of inner sage and outer king（内圣外王）.