A brief discussion on metaphysics’ non-centered thinking

Metaphysics, a philosophical trend in the Wei and Jin Dynasties that took the thoughts of Lao and Zhuang as its framework and combined Confucian classics to replace the cumbersome Confucian classics of the Han Dynasty. The central issue in its discussion is whether there is a basis for the ultimate existence of the universe, that is, the issue of ontology.

Origin and main content In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the ruling group split and the social crisis became increasingly acute. The ideologically dominant Confucianism began to waver, and the contents of Jinwen Jingxue and prophecies were empty and absurd, which did not help solve social and political problems at all. The thoughts of Lao and Zhuang with "nature" and "inaction" began to rise. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Wei Dynasty, Liu Shao wrote "Characters", which mixed Taoist ideas with the opinions of famous scholars and Legalists, and raised the general principles of appreciating characters to a philosophical level for discussion. As the foundation of Confucianism, the study of "The Book of Changes" was clinging to the image of dozens of zodiac signs and its meaning was obscure, which gave rise to the need to re-examine the study of "The Book of Changes". In this context of the development of social politics and academic thought, the metaphysical trend of thought in the Wei and Jin Dynasties emerged. The name of metaphysics was first seen in "Jin Shu Lu Yun Biography", which states that "Yun (Lu Yun) did not have metaphysics at all, and he has made progress since then." During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the term metaphysics was not widely popular, and its meaning refers to both speech and action. In all aspects, they mostly use their words to be mysterious and their actions to be elegant and far-reaching. "Xuanyuan" refers to staying away from specific things and specializing in discussing ontological issues that are "transcendental and absolute." Therefore, the science of emptiness, mystery, and mysticism can be collectively called metaphysics. Most of the metaphysicians were celebrities at that time. They flaunted their family background, appearance, demeanor and "plain talk" about nothingness and mystery, which became a temporary trend, the so-called "mysterious style". Some metaphysicians advocated the destruction of etiquette and law, but most still maintained feudal ethical concepts.

In philosophy, it mainly focuses on the question of existence and non-existence, forming two schools of metaphysics: valuing non-existence and advocating existence. The Guiwu School advocates "being based on nothingness" and believes that all things are unified in a unique ontology "Tao" or "Nothing". The reason why everything in the world can exist is because of this ontology. All kinds of things in the universe are all The expression of this ontology is the so-called "all things in the world are based on inaction". The Chongyou School advocates that "self-generated existence must be embodied" and opposes the Guiwu School's statement of "taking nothing as the basis". It believes that the reason why "being" occurs is not that there is another thing that makes it become "being", but that all things "self-generate" , "self-existence", regarding the entire universe as being composed of all things themselves, that is, the so-called "originator, self-origin", "the origin of the total mixed group, the ultimate way".

Stages of development The development of metaphysics has gone through different stages. According to the classification by Yuan Hong, a historian of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Xia Houxuan, He Yan, and Wang Bi were the Zhengshi celebrities; the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest, Ruan Ji, Ji Kang, Shan Tao, Xiang Xiu, Liu Ling, Ruan Xian, and Wang Rong were the Bamboo Forest celebrities; Pei, Wang Yan, and Yu Jin, Wang Cheng, Ruan Xiu, Wei Jie, and Xie Kun were famous scholars in the Central Dynasty (i.e., the Western Jin Dynasty, often specifically referring to the Yuankang period), who divided metaphysics into three stages. Contemporary scholars basically recognize this division, but believe that the representatives of Western Jin metaphysics should be Pei and Guo Xiang, and propose that the Eastern Jin Dynasty also constitutes a stage of its own.

Zhengshi metaphysics (about 240-249 AD), represented by Wang Bi and He Yan, was the first stage of the development of metaphysics. It evolved from the discussion of talent issues in the late Han Dynasty to the scope of metaphysics ontology. Ancestors such as He Yan and Wang Bi wrote about Lao and Zhuang and used Taoist ideas to explain the Book of Changes. People at that time paid attention to "Laozi", "Zhuangzi" and "Zhouyi", which were called the "Three Mysteries". They were the favorite works of metaphysicians in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. They believe that everything in the world is based on nothingness. "Nothing" is the ontology of the world, and "being" is a variety of specific existences, which are the expression of the ontology "nothing". Wang Bi also philosophically discussed the relationship between nature and Mingjiao (generally referring to the feudal ethics and moral codes whose main content is to rectify names and determine honor and inferiority), claiming that Mingjiao originated from nature and that names of honor and inferiority are the inevitable result of nature. It should reflect nature. He Yan wrote "On Moral Theory" and "Analects of Confucius", Wang Bi annotated "The Book of Changes" and "Laozi", and wrote "The Analects of Confucius". They all interpreted Confucian classics with Taoist ideas, trying to unify Confucianism and Taoism and reconcile the contradiction between nature and famous religions. . Metaphysicians such as Wang and He inherited the style of Qing discussion in the Eastern Han Dynasty. They asked and analyzed difficult philosophical issues and debated repeatedly, which was called "pure talk". This was a unique way of developing metaphysics. The works of metaphysicians also mostly adopt the style of question and answer debate. Wang and He came from Confucianism and were in prominent positions, but they also placed their hearts and minds on Lao and Zhuang, showing a detached attitude. They could not only defend the rationality of the wealthy family's unrestrained life, but also win the praise of "high elegance", so Metaphysics became popular in a short period of time.

Zhulin metaphysics (about 255-262 AD), represented by Ji Kang and Ruan Ji, was the second stage of the development of metaphysics.

In terms of philosophy, Ji, Ruan and Xiang Xiu took advantage of the internal contradictions of Wang Bi's system to develop Wang Bi's thoughts of "advocating the original and the end of the rest" and "advocating the end of the original move" respectively, making metaphysics in the Zhengshi period develop in two directions. Ji and Ruan advocate nature and believe that "nature" is the original state of the universe, a regular and harmonious unified whole without any contradictions and conflicts. Human society is a part of nature and should be a harmonious whole without conflicts of interest. They believe that the Mingjiao destroys this harmonious state, so they advocate "exceeding the Mingjiao and letting nature" and "not Tang Wu but Bo Zhou Kong". They are extremely dissatisfied with the Sima Group's use of Mingjiao to cover up political corruption, and denying that it is naturally consistent with Mingjiao. Contrary to Ji and Ruan, Xiang Xiu believes that nature does not conflict with famous religions. He explains "nature" with "appealing to emotions" and "getting", and puts forward the idea that "life is emotional, and emotions are natural". He believes that human beings Desire and nature are “inseparable”. In terms of the relationship between existence and non-existence, it admits that there is a biological origin of "neither birth nor death" as the basis for the birth and transformation of all things, but it introduces the concepts of "self-generation" and "self-transformation", which have become the basis of Wang Bi's Gui Wuxiang in the development of metaphysics. The worship of Pei and Guo Xiang has a transitional intermediate link.

The metaphysics of the Western Jin Dynasty (about 263-316 years), represented by Pei and Guo Xiang, constituted the third stage of the development of metaphysics. During this period, metaphysics still developed in two directions: First, Ji and Ruan's idea of ??"transgressing the teachings of the Ming Dynasty and letting nature be natural" developed from the Guiwu School to the extreme, which led to some famous figures at that time, such as Ruan Zhan, Wang Cheng, Xie Kun and others. , inherited the decadent side of Ji and Ruan's thoughts, was addicted to alcohol and lust, and pursued superficial outward appearance. This kind of poor imitation of bohemian behavior completely stifled the ideological creativity of the metaphysics Guiwu School, leading it to decline. The second is to follow Xiang Xiu's thoughts and develop into Pei and Guo Xiang's Chong You Lun philosophy. Pei (267-300), the son of Pei Xiu, wrote "Chongyou Lun", which denounced the current abuses, criticized the trend of "going beyond the famous religion and leaving it to nature", and reaffirmed the role of the famous religion. Philosophically, it puts forward the view that "nothing can be born, and what is born comes from itself". It opposes looking for the ontology of things outside of all things. It believes that all things are "self-generated and must exist", and there is no other thing for its existence. basis, thereby completing the transition from valuing nothing to worshiping something. Guo Xiang (252~312) further developed Pei's thoughts on advocating You theory, and put forward new propositions such as "nothing cannot come into existence" and "everything is created independently without waiting for it". On the basis of the theory of "self-generation" of all things, He proposed the concept of "independence" and pushed the Chongyou theory to the extreme.

The metaphysics of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (about 317-420 years), represented by Zhang Zhan, was the fourth stage of the development of metaphysics. At this time, the Sima regime moved south, and social conflicts became acute and complex, further leading to ideological emptiness. Therefore, the issue of transcending life and death and attaining liberation has become the central content of metaphysics. Zhang Zhan's annotation of "Liezi" synthesizes the doctrines of advocating existence and valuing non-existence, and puts forward the idea that "the existence of groups and the ultimate emptiness are the basis, and the ultimate destruction of all things is the experience". He regards the world and life as ever-changing, fleeting, hypocritical and impermanent. , advocating the adoption of the indulgent outlook on life of "unbridled passion and willfulness", has led metaphysics into a desperate situation. This politically reflects the decline of the wealthy gentry. After the Eastern Jin Dynasty, metaphysics and Buddhism merged, and most of the Prajna sects used metaphysical language to explain Buddhist scriptures. Therefore, Buddhism, which discusses neither existence nor non-existence, has replaced metaphysics, which discusses existence and non-existence, and the development of Chinese philosophy has entered a new stage.

1. The origin of metaphysics

In the mouths of Jianghu people, there has been a story that is full of mystery and related to our country's traditional culture.

The story goes back more than 4,600 years ago.

It is said that Pangu created the world of chaos, and after Empress Nuwa made five-color stones to mend the sky, our ancestor, Gongsun Xuanyuan of the Yellow Emperor, was born in an incredible situation...

Hou Chiyou When the rebellion broke out, the Yellow Emperor received help from the gods, who taught him the Heavenly Book to defeat Chiyou's witchcraft, and captured and killed Chiyou to unify the world. The legendary god is the Nine Heavens Xuannv - Nuwa Empress. After the Yellow Emperor calmed down the war, he ordered Cangjie to create characters and record the various secret techniques in the heavenly book taught by Jiutian Xuannu. This book was later regarded as a treasure by people in the world, the "Golden Seal and Jade Letter".

2. The inheritance of secret books

The secret books left by the Yellow Emperor were obtained by Jiang Taigong in Kunlun Mountain during the Zhou Dynasty. He used the magic in the secret books to help Zhou defeat Zhou and make the Zhou Dynasty There was a reign of eight hundred years.

During the Warring States Period, it was passed to Guiguzi, the ancestor of Wang Chan. He passed on his secret skills to his apprentices - Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Sun Bin and Pang Juan, who became famous generals and ministers at that time.

In the Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang obtained the secret book from the Huangshi Public Office and prospered the Han Dynasty for four hundred years.

In this way, the "Golden Seal and Jade Letter" was passed down from generation to generation in a magical way. During the Three Kingdoms era, it was passed into the hands of Zhuge Liang, helping him to win three parts of the world. During the Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties, although there were people who obtained the "Golden Seal Script and Jade Letter", most of them were incomplete. For example, Zhuge Liang obtained Taoism, and Guo Pu and Yang Junsong obtained Kanyu Technique (Yin Yang Feng Shui). In the Song Dynasty, the person who obtained the "Gold Seal and Jade Letter" was Zhu Xi, a great scholar of the generation and a prolific scholar. In the Ming Dynasty, Liu Ji (also known as Bowen) obtained the "Golden Seal Script and Jade Letter" and helped Zhu Yuanzhang establish the Ming Dynasty, but then retired. The "Golden Seal Script and Jade Letter" has been circulated for four thousand years. During this period, the contents were scattered, lost, added or deleted, or there were differences, resulting in many schools. They are roughly divided into: mountain, medicine, fortune, divination, and fortune-telling, collectively known as the five arts of metaphysics.

3. Five Metaphysical Techniques - Mountain

Mountain contains the secret skills of cultivating the mind and character and exercising the body. "Mountain" is also the most profound, mysterious and the most mysterious. It is easily misunderstood as a kind of "superstition". "Shan" includes the practice of three parts: "Xuan Dian", "Health Preservation" and "Cultivation of Secrets". "Xuandian" - all good books that can cultivate one's moral character can be used for cultivation, such as "Laozi", "Zhuangzi", "Liezi", "Sunzi", "Tai Gong Yin Fu Jing", "Huang Di Nei Jing", "Tao Zang" ” and even “Journey to the West”... all books are used to enrich their thoughts and understand the principles of the universe. "Health Preservation" - Qigong, the breathing method for pursuing health and longevity. The Taoist method of alchemy is called heavenly elixir, human elixir, and earthly elixir. "Cultivation of Secrets"--talisman method, suppression method, star praying method, martial arts, etc., methods that use movement and the unity of spirit and thoughts to improve the physical and mental realm. There are also occult sects that divide the "mountain" into five methods: immortal, Taoist, illusory, spiritual, and military. And its scope is inseparable from the above three parts.

Mountain is the most difficult realm to reach in the secret arts. Strictly speaking, it is the effort of mortals to cultivate immortality and the metaphysical pursuit of transcendence. Only the flow of "fate, divination, fortune-telling, and medicine" In the Jianghu mortal world, I help the world.

4. The Five Metaphysical Techniques - Medicine

The secret art of "medicine" includes three parts.

Prescription--a method of using medicines to treat various diseases according to the external and internal conditions, deficiency and excess, cold and heat, and then applying the ancient Zhouyi Bagua.

Acupuncture - a method of treating diseases by using the Huangdi Neijing and Difficult Classic to identify the eight extraordinary meridians and acupoints, and using copper needles to prick the acupoints.

Spiritual therapy - a method of using hypnosis, suggestion and concentration of thoughts, and using "Thirteen Branches of Zhu You" to make medicine to treat diseases.

5. Five Metaphysical Techniques - Fate

In the esoteric technique, "fate" is a method of judging a person's destiny based on the magnetic field of time and space. The important methods are:

Astrology-Astrology includes "Seven Policies and Four Surpluses", "Ziwei Dou Shu", and "Five Star Techniques".

The art of stems and branches - based on the time of birth, the year, month, day and hour, the heavenly stems and earthly branches are arranged to form a destiny. The four pillars have the most number of ancient books. The important ancient books include: "Guolao Xingzong", "Xingpinghui" "Hai", "Yuanhai Ziping", "Guigu's Legacy", "Sun Bin's Legacy", "Sanming Tonghui", "Qingtong Baojian" (also known as Lanjiang Gang), "Dipping Tianmui", "Shenfeng" "Tongkao", "Tiepanshenshu", "Heluo Lishu", "Ziping Zhenquan", "Ziping Cuiyan"... and so on. There are so many modern numerology works, too numerous to mention. Since the reform and opening up, Shao Weihua, the leading figure in the world of Yi, has been the first to be promoted. He has played a huge role in promoting the development of Yi studies and numerology, and many sages have emerged...

The representative one is Shao Weizhong's theory of balance, especially the relationship between the stems and branches, which makes up for the theoretical shortcomings of his brother Shao Weihua's "Four Pillars of Forecasting". However, its discussion and specific phenomena are obviously vague. It is often summarized as being in politics and being an official, doing business and being wealthy, and being in literature and being famous, which is its shortcoming.

Later, Li Hongcheng registered a forecasting company in Hainan in Hong Kong. The four-pillar book he wrote followed Shaw's theory and did not have any outstanding innovations. However, his influence was as great as that of Shaw's, and he had thousands of disciples.

Wang Qing’s four-pillar theory has made a major breakthrough in the field of numerology. The author has not had the opportunity to read his masterpiece. It is said that it has made great innovations based on the traditional theory.

The publication of Shandong Li Hanchen's "True Traces of Eight-Character Prediction" has once again set off a craze in numerology. His brand-new prediction theory is quite controversial in the numerology community. But his spirit of daring to be the first in the world and his new theoretical thinking framework are recognized by everyone.

6. Five skills of metaphysics - divination

Of all the numerology and metaphysics, divination has the longest history. Most military strategists in historical dynasties were proficient in this skill. Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Liang of the Han Dynasty Li Chunfeng in the Tang Dynasty, Shao Kangjie in the Song Dynasty, Liu Bowen in the Ming Dynasty, and Zeng Guofan in the Qing Dynasty... Among the divination schools, the divination school has the longest history and evolved from the ancient Zhou Yi, such as "Plum Blossom Yishu" and "Najia Duanyi" , "Liu Ren Shen Ke", "Tai Yi Shen Shu", "Qi Men Dun Jia" and other mathematical studies. In some sects, this part of divination also includes prophecy, dream prediction, word detection, sign interpretation, nameology and other techniques.

7. The Five Metaphysical Techniques - Physiology

The physiognomy includes two types;

Human physiognomy - palm reading, face reading, body reading, bone touching, The moles are equal, and the representative works include "Observing People in the Small", "Phaseological Reasons and Balances of Truth", "The Divine Appearance Iron Guan Dao", "The Divine Appearance in the Water Mirror", "The Divine Appearance in Linen Clothes", "Golden Scissors", etc.

Top phase - Geophase is the ancient "Kanyu Technique", which is divided into the yang house phase method of looking at the door, well and stove, and the yin house phase method of looking at the direction of sand and water in the dragon's cave, generally called Feng Shui. Its main schools include "Three Elements Method", "Three Elements Method", "Nine Star Method", etc.

The above is the basic composition of metaphysics, which is said to come from the Book of Heaven. The author believes that all the above methods are derived from the Zhouyi. The Zhouyi covers time, space and everything in the universe. It is a scripture that explains the universe. The Yi Jing is called "The Book of Changes". The sect of "all laws return to their origin".