As a philosopher, Wang Yangming has made great achievements not only in the field of philosophy, but also in the military field, which is an exception in Chinese and foreign history. Therefore, some people are curious about Wang Yangming's mind, so they deconstruct it with the deconstruction of western philosophy, and finally come to the conclusion that Wang Yangming's mind is a mixture of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.

For this conclusion, there are some for and some against it. From my personal point of view, there are both pros and cons.

First, the relationship between Yangming's theory of mind and Confucianism

The main body of Yangming's theory of mind is Confucianism, which is far from Mencius, close to Lu Jiuyuan and close to the thought of Cheng Hao, a great master of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Second, the relationship between Yangming's mind and Buddhism

The relationship between mind and Buddhism is very close, which is discussed from three aspects.

1. From a macro point of view. Since Buddhism was introduced to China in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, it has had a great influence on China's ideology and culture. Buddhism in Sui and Tang Dynasties is an important stage in the history of China's philosophy. Neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties was born on the basis of Buddhism in Sui and Tang Dynasties. Without Buddhism in Sui and Tang Dynasties, Neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties would certainly not be what it is now.

After Buddhism was introduced into China, I'm afraid there are few China scholars who are not attached to Buddhism. Han Yu, one of the eight masters in Tang and Song Dynasties, resolutely opposed Buddhism. But in the end, Han Yu had an indissoluble bond with the monk at the ceremony. In other words, the Confucian elite will be more or less influenced by Buddhism.

We know that the most important concept of Zhu Cheng's Neo-Confucianism and its highest philosophical category "Li" originated from a pair of categories "Li and Shi" created by Hua Yanzong. Zong Mi, the second generation descendant of Hua Yanzong, has introduced the concept of "Qi". The principles and qi used by Cheng Er and Zhu originated from Buddhism. Therefore, the influence of Buddhism on China's philosophy.

2. From the middle level (not the middle school of Buddhism, but the part between the macro and micro levels), Buddhism has a great influence on Wang Yangming's philosophy. Now, for example. Xiong Shili, a famous Buddhist in modern times, independently created a new Buddhist theory-new epistemology, according to his own statement and without reference to anyone. However, through the study of new consciousness, modern scholars find that it is just a copy of Wang Yangming's theory of mind.

3. From the microscopic point of view, Wang Yangming's thoughts, such as "disgusting without kindness" in the "four-sentence teaching", are all from Zen, which has been recognized in academic circles. For another example, Wang Yangming's "conscience" is very similar to Huineng's "Buddha nature" from my personal point of view. When reading the Tanjing, I always feel Rainbow Yangming's "conscience" when I read the discussion about "Buddha nature".

Therefore, it can be said with certainty that Wang Yangming's philosophy has absorbed many elements from Buddhist philosophy.

Thirdly, the relationship between Yangming's mind and Taoism.

Taoism and Taoism are not the same concept. But Taoism often regards Taoist philosophy as its own philosophy. Therefore, when discussing Taoist philosophy and Taoist philosophy, it is impossible to distinguish too clearly. Some people attack Zhu as a shortcut to Taoism. In fact, Wang Yangming also has a close relationship with Taoism.

Wang Yangming has been in poor health since childhood. So he hopes to learn the art of keeping in good health from Taoist priests.

Here is a story. According to Feng Menglong's "Mr. Wang Yangming was born in Beijing", on the day of his wedding, Wang Yangming studied health with a Taoist at Tiezhu Palace in Nanchang. The Taoist priest said to him, "As for health preservation, if there is no quietness, I will be quiet and Zhuangzi will be happy, but only when I am quiet can I be happy." Because Mr. Tao was taught to lead the way, Mr. Wang suddenly realized. "After a long time, Wang Yangming yearned for Taoism.

If it weren't for Wang Yangming's firm belief in sanctification, perhaps he would have converted to Taoism.

Four. conclusion

To be sure, Wang Yangming's philosophy is influenced not only by Confucianism, but also by Buddhism and Taoism.

Yangming's theory of mind has three elements: Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, but it is not a mixture of the three. Just like matter, water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen, but not hydrogen and oxygen. The elements of diamond and graphene are carbon, but their properties are completely different.

Personal view, Yangming's theory of mind, contains the elements of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, but it is not a mixture of them, but a philosophical system based on Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism and with conscience as the core.