First, a brief introduction to Caigen Tan
Caigen Tan is a Confucian classic compiled by Hong Yingming, a Taoist priest in the early Ming Dynasty. It is also a collection of quotations on self-cultivation, life, social life and birth.
In this book, Hong Yingming thinks that the original state of the heart is quiet and clear, but with the gratitude of qi, the heart will be covered by material desires and emotional knowledge, both of which belong to human selfish desires. In order to make the mind and body return to the original state of silence and clarity, it is necessary to break the cover of selfish desires on the mind and body, and carry out real-time self-restraint.
Second, the historical background
Politically, in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the society was in a period of prosperity and decline, and the society was dark and corrupt. Moreover, due to the depravity and incompetence of the current dynasty, the ruling and opposition parties were in a mess, forcing many literati to embark on the road of seclusion, so a large number of works expressing hermit feelings came out during this period.
The tone of these works is nothing more than dreariness, detachment or lamentation. Therefore, "Caigen Tan" must also have these keynote. Socio-culturally, since the Ming Dynasty, almost all scholar-officials have been influenced by "the theory of mind".
Although these thoughts are wrapped in the cloak of metaphysics, they have a strong people-oriented color, and Hong Yingming is also influenced by this style of study, so they are naturally reflected in Caigen Tan.
Thought of works
First, return to nature
"Caigen Tan" said: "Only by blocking the road of material desire can we open the door of morality." Only by blocking material desires can we be calm, make our feelings not extreme, and finally open the door to truth and morality. This maxim emphasizes the importance of calming desires on the road to learning.
It is also mentioned in the exhortation article: "It can be seen that it is called the root of trouble, and the desire is the medium of scattered ambition, and scholars must not do nothing to sweep it away." Fame and desire are obstacles in the process of studying, so we need to try our best to calm our desires, cultivate our mind and avoid falling into the abyss under their control. This view is consistent with Taoist thought.
Taoism's "transcendence consciousness" advocates people to transcend secular utilitarianism, thus purifying their own minds and returning to nature, so as not to be tired of foreign things.
Second, indifferent to fame and fortune
Hong Yingming put forward: "Beyond heaven and earth, do not seek fame and fortune. He is rich and I am benevolent, and he is loyal to me. A gentleman is not trapped by a gentleman. "
A true gentleman will never be bound and bought by a high official. Even if others are pursuing wealth and nobility, a gentleman should stick to benevolence and justice. Only by not seeking fame and fortune can he not be confused by foreign things or fooled by fate.