讲明儒释之分——蔡格理学思想研究

Differences between Confucianism and Buddhism: A Study of Cai Ge's Neo-Confucianism

蔡格是蔡氏九儒第四代儒者,作为朱子门人后学,他的学说可以看成朱子学继续发展的产物,他一生的学问宗旨在于辟佛卫道。在心性论层面,蔡格诠释《孟子》"尽心知性"章,批评了佛学的知觉为心、作用为性。他引入理气论分析人心道心说,批判佛学否认道心存在的学说。在工夫论层面,蔡格极为重视持敬与为仁的工夫,批评佛学的顿悟学说,而儒学的天理是仁义礼智之实,需要切实的为仁工夫。

Cai Ge is the fourth generation among the nine Confucianists in Cai family. As one of Zhu Xi’s disciples, his theory should be seen as the development of Zhu Xi’s theory. His academic aim in his whole life is denying Buddhism and defending Confucianism. On the theoretical level of mind, Cai Ge interprets Mencius’ mind-nature theory and criticizes the Buddhist theory of “perception as mind and phenomenon as nature”. He applies Liqi theory to analyze the idea of human mind and moral mind and criticizes Buddhist theory of denying the existence of moral mind. On the theoretical level of skills, Cai Ge attaches great importance to reverence and humanity, and criticizes Buddhist theory of insight, and he holds that the justice of Confucianism involves humanity, justice, courtesy and wisdom, which requires practical skills of being human.