生命美学视域下道教动物观念管窥

On the Daoist Concept of Animals from the Perspective of Life Aesthetics

动物与人一样,是与宇宙同构的生命,是活生生的灵性的存在。“动物”的存在,强化和凸现了道教的生命观念。道教对于生命的追求、对于生命困境的突破与超越也由此获得了审美属性,成为一种切身而真实的生命美学体验。以生命美学的跨学科视角来看,在道教观念中,动物首先是“灵异”的生命,比人更加灵活、灵动,具有超长的寿命和变化的能力,还能成为代言神意和引导升仙的重要媒介。其次,动物也是“物化”的生命。人与宇宙万物的同源性以及道教的生态平等观念不仅是人物互化的前提,也为庄子“物化”论带来了全新的诠释,呼应了中国美学的生命主题。第三,动物还是“承负”的生命。道教以动物为中心而表现的“承负”观既与道教对“善”的认识密切相关,又有着深刻的历史根源,显示了道教在人与自然审美关系上的独特体验、道教思想兼收并蓄的强大包容性以及对中华民族伦理价值的强烈认同。总之,动物的生命活动及道教以动物为中心进行的生命实践多层次、多角度地呈现了道教的神圣观念、环境伦理与审美情感。在进行宗教秩序建构的同时,道教对于生命价值的关注和关于生命的原则也极大地启发了中国古典美学。

Animals,like humans,are isomorphic to the universe and are living and spiritual beings.The existence of“animals”reinforces and highlights the Daoist concept of life.The pursuit of life and the breakthrough and transcendence of life dilemmas in Daoism have thus acquired aesthetic attributes,becoming a tangible and authentic aesthetic experience of life.From an interdisciplinary perspective of life aesthetics,in the Daoist concept,animals are first and foremost“supernatural”beings,more flexible and agile than humans,with long lifespans and the ability to change.They can also endorse divine will and guide ascension to immortality as important media.Secondly,animals are also life of“Wuhua”(materialization).The homology between humans and all things in the universe,as well as the ecological equality concept of Daoism,are not only prerequisites for the mutual transformation of characters,but also bring a new interpretation to Zhuangzi’s theory of“Wuhua”,echoing the theme of life in Chinese aesthetics.Thirdly,animals are still life of“Chengfu”(bearing burden).The concept of“Chengfu”in Daoism about animals is closely related to Daoist understanding of“goodness”and has profound historical roots.It demonstrates Daoist unique experience in the aesthetic relationship between man and nature,the strong inclusiveness of Daoist thought,and its strong identification with the ethical values of the Chinese nation.In short,the life activities of animals and the Daoist life practices centered on animals present the sacred concepts,environmental ethics,and aesthetic emotions of Daoism from multiple levels and perspectives.While constructing religious order,Daoism also greatly inspires classical Chinese aesthetics with its attention to the value of life and principles about life.