何以说张载思想“以易为宗”?

Why Do We Say That Zhang Zai's Thought“Takes Yi As the Core”

古人言及张载思想的特点,都首提其“以易为宗”,说明张载的哲学思想与《易》有极深的渊源关系。何以说张载思想“以易为宗”?其主要在于:张载“勇于造道”,其“造道”之功是从易切入的;其“太虚即气”“气化之道”“一物两体”的宇宙观源于易理;其贯“性与天道为一”“知礼成性”“变化气质”的心性论根于易;他颇有影响的《西铭》,其思想乃“本儒家《孝经》,参以易理”;其著名的“四为”说之“为天地立心”句,亦从《易·复卦》之《彖传》“复,其见天地之心”立论。“以易为宗”既说明了张载关学的思想渊源和特点,也彰显了张载哲学思想的核心精神和立论根基,是理解张载思想之关键所在。

Since the ancient times,when discussing the characteristics of Zhang Zai's thoughts,scholars have first emphasized that Zhang has the“Yi as the core”of his philosophy,indicating that Zhang's philosophical ideas are rooted in the Book of Changes.Why?The answer is that his metaphysical system is constructed and developed from the perspective of Yi.Due to the interaction between Yin and Yang,there is the transformation of all things.The gathering(ming,or brightness)and dispersing(you,or darkness)of qi(air)explain the relationship between the qi of tai xu and all things,thus establishing the cosmology based on“tai xu-qi”,which also negates the theory of“emptiness”in Buddhism and Taoism.Zhang referred to the operational process and laws of gasification as Dao.Based on“Yi”concepts of“mastering the changes in the operation of the heavenly way”and“understanding the truth and nature of things”,Zhang learned that“Yi is the nature and the way of heaven”,and believed that“the nature is the heaven”.Therefore,“mastering the changes in the operation of the heavenly way”and“understanding the truth and nature of things”in the Book of Changes focus on the moral cultivation of“inheriting goodness into nature”and“sincerity”.To achieve this ultimate goal,there is no opposition between heaven and man,between the inner and outer realms,or between the Tao and nature.Instead,the theory of“knowledge of propriety becoming nature”and“changing temperament”is proposed.Zhang's Xi Ming is also based on the Confucian Classic of Filial Piety and incorporates the principles of Yi.The famous“Four Directions”statement,which states“establishing a heart for heaven and earth”,is also based on the Yi,which states that this heart is the benevolent heart of living beings.It can be seen that“taking Yi as the core”not only explains the ideological origin and characteristics of Zhang Zai's Neo-Confucian philosophy,but also highlights the core spirit and theoretical foundation of his philosophical thought,which is the key to understanding his thought.