从“志于道”的文化深刻理解中华文明的突出特性

Understanding the Distinctive Characteristics of Chinese Civilization from a Deep Cultural Perspective on“Aspiring to the Dao”

中华文明具有突出的连续性、创新性、统一性、包容性、和平性。中华文化以“道”为本体,提倡“一体之仁”的价值观,这是理解中华文明突出特性的根本。正是因为以道治国,才能得道者多助,使中华文明具有突出的连续性;在顺应天道的前提下与时偕行,革故鼎新,才使中华文明具有了突出的创新性;“大道之行,天下为公”培养了中华民族“天下大同”的博大眼光和“天下一家”的开阔胸襟,对内形成了“中华民族多元一体格局”,对外形成“万国来朝”的国际局面,使中华文明具有突出的统一性;中华文化怀抱着“道并行而不悖”及“和而不同”的开放精神,同其他文明不断交流互鉴,在这个过程中,中华文化与其他文化中合于“道”的部分相互吸纳融合,有悖于“道”的部分则在历史的发展中逐渐淘汰,使中华文明具有了突出的包容性;按照“天道好生而恶杀”的规律处理国际关系,必然采取慎战、德政,“强不执弱,富不侮贫”“远人不服,则修文德以来之”,使中华文明具有突出的和平性。

Chinese civilization is characterized by its outstanding continuity,innovation,unity,inclusivity,and peacefulness.The culture of China takes“Dao”(the Way)as the ontology and advocates the value of“benevolence as one body”,which is fundamental to understanding the distinctive characteristics of Chinese civilization.It is precisely because of governing by the Dao that those who attain it are greatly assisted,endowing Chinese civilization with remarkable continuity;by moving with the times and reforming while following the natural laws,Chinese civilization has achieved notable innovation;“A just cause should be pursued for common good”cultivates the broad vision of“shared harmony among nations”and the open-heartedness of“the whole world is one family”among the Chinese nation,internally forming a“pluralistic and integrated pattern of the Chinese nation”and externally creating an international situation of“all nations come to pay homage”,giving Chinese civilization its outstanding unity;embracing the open spirit of“Daos running parallel without conflict”and“harmony without uniformity”,Chinese culture continuously exchanges and learns from other civilizations.In this process,Chinese culture absorbs and integrates aspects of other cultures that align with the“Dao”,while elements contrary to the“Dao”are gradually eliminated through historical development,endowing Chinese civilization with its remarkable inclusivity;adhering to the principle of“Dao favors life over killing”in handling international relations inevitably leads to cautious warfare and virtuous governance,“the strong do not oppress the weak,the rich do not insult the poor”and“if not recognized by others,we could win people’s support through virtue”,granting Chinese civilization its outstanding peacefulness.