A Study on Yi I’s Chun-yan : Deletion and Transformation for Lao-zi

Abstract

As Chun-yan departed from traditional comprehension about Lao-zi, through Yi I’s distinctive way of thinking, he selectively deleted and transformed from the concepts of Lao-zi. By applying this result to philosophical idea of Confucianism, he interpreted the concepts of Lao-zi. It can be seen as a loss of original features of Lao-zi, but ultimately represented obvious possibility of yi-ru-jie-lao(以儒解老). However, why we stand the position of yi-ru-jie-lao for comprehension of Chun-yan? From the results of this study, the following bases are found : Chun-yan did not completely recognize the ideological system of Lao-zi, but also not affirm that Confucianism and Taoism can communicate equally. It showed that current scholars’ interpretation about Chun-yan─rudao tongyuan(儒道同源), huitong(會通), rongtong(融通), miaohe(妙合), jiaoshe(交涉)─is emphasized to the equal relation, and this already exceeded beyond Yi I’s fundamental stance called yi-ru-jie-lao. Therefore, yi-ru-jie-lao of Yi I is reinterpreted as follows : Yi I premised that there were philosophical differences between Confucianism and Taoism, but at the same time he transformed the contents of Lao-zi with the ideas like as daoti(道體), xinti(心體), xiuji zhiren(修己治人) and etc. Consequently, it is indicated that Yi I emphasized actual utility that Lao-zi suggested through the stance of yi-ru-jie-lao and, by extension, represented an unconventional way to reinterpret and grope for Lao-zi.