论楚淮文化对道家生命观形成的影响

The Influences of Chu and Huai Culture on the Formation of the Taoist View of Life

生命观念是道家文化的核心观念,道家生命观的形成与楚淮文化的影响密不可分。道家文化发源地淮河流域独特的自然环境决定了老子等道家奠基者特有的理论兴趣和致思方向,这就是对生命的产生和存在颇为关注,从而为其生命观的形成提供了必要的土壤。从文化背景来看,淮河流域在春秋战国时期属于楚文化圈。楚淮文化的根本特征之一是具有浓厚的生命意蕴,这在其宗教信仰、风俗习尚和文化特质中均有明显反映。这种文化的长期浸染使得老子等道家代表人物具有浓烈的生命关怀,由此而导致了道家生命观念的形成。

As the core of Taoism, the Taoist view of life has been closely connected with Chu and Huai culture. The natural environment of Huai river valley, 'the cradle of Taoism,' determined the philosophical orientation of Lao Zi and the other founders of Taoism, namely, the concern for life and its origin. Consequently this provided the necessary soil for the formation of the Taoist view of life. Culturally, the Huai river valley belonged during the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period to the Chu culture, which had been characterized with its deep concern with life, reflected in its religion, customs and other cultural features. The long-term immersion of Lao Zi and other Taoist founders in this culture allowed them to gain a clearer understanding of the value of life, helping therefore with the final formation of their view of life.