二程哲学与佛学之关系

On the Relationship Between Buddhist Philosophy and That of the Two Chengs

隋唐以来,儒学式微,佛道呈上升趋势,北宋统治者急需一种强有力的理论以巩固王权专制。二程适应时代要求,以援佛入儒的方式,对异质文化的佛学进行了批判吸收和改造,建立了新儒学。这种新儒学含括了佛学的理论结构和论证方式,提高了传统儒学的哲理思辨性,使儒学这一思想体系更趋严谨和缜密。二程的援佛入儒,一方面显现了佛学的理论魅力,另一方面也充分证明了二程哲学与佛学之间的密切关系。

From the Dynasties of Sui and Song, Confucianism was descending and the Buddhism was ascending all the way along. The ruling class of the Northern Song eagerly needed a kind of powerful theory to consolidate its monarchical power. The two Chengs adjusted themselves to the need of the time, and built the new Confucianism by means of transforming the Buddhism into Confucianism. They critically absorbed the Buddhism of the different culture. This new kind of Confucianism included the theoretical structure and mode of proof, and added to the philosophical value of the traditional Confucianism. Since then, Confucianism tended to be more and more careful and precise. The transforming of the Buddhism into Confucianism proves that Buddhism is of theoretical charm, and that the philosophy of the two Chengs was the successor of the Buddhism.