How do Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism complement each other?
The combination of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism in Zhongwei High Temple in Ningxia and Daprajna Cave in Anyue, Sichuan, can be interpreted from many angles. Some people read a cultural strategy from it, and some people read a social ideal from it, all of which tell some truth. I am ingenious and want to interpret harmonious culture as a sound state of mind. In my opinion, the word "harmony" in the word "harmony" should refer to the collection of people's various spiritual demands. There is a simple reason. Only with more than two elements can we talk about "combination"; If it is only a single factor, there is no "combination" at all. Many factors put together, conflict may occur, but it may not happen. Even if there is a conflict, it cannot be solved. If the conflict is successfully resolved, it will enter a state of "harmony". The so-called "harmony" should refer to the unity of diversity and conflict resolution. Obviously, in this sense, "harmony" and "sameness" are different, so Confucius advocates "harmony but difference", and it is not easy to unify and coordinate people's various spiritual needs and enter the "harmony" mentality. It is obviously impossible to rely on only one theory, and a variety of theories must be comprehensively applied. In traditional cultural resources, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are indispensable elements to cultivate a harmonious mentality. The three religions meet the needs of China people in a certain aspect of their spiritual life and help them form a harmonious mentality. Confucian spiritual interest can be summed up in three words, namely "material benefit"; To sum up in two words, that is "promising"; To sum it up in one word, that is "Zhang". Confucianism advocates virtue, meritorious service, career, being an official and being active. Why did Confucius and Mencius travel around the world? Still looking for something to do! They care about the country and the people, are warm-hearted and care about the world. Are all saints who can't stay. Confucius is a man who can't stay. He didn't warm the mat in his spare time and left before the mattress was warm. He took the initiative to find something to do, "knowing what he can't do", which is "affordable" in the current words. Confucianism is like a grain depot and a spiritual gas station, inspiring people to move forward. Anyone can't leave the food store, so to speak, for a moment. "People are iron and rice is steel. If you don't eat a meal, you will be hungry." People cannot live without food; You can't live without spiritual food. The spiritual interest of Taoism is "muddling along". Two words, called "inaction"; In a word, it is called "relaxation". The interests of Taoism and Confucianism seem to be opposite, but in fact they complement each other. Learning to be nervous is a science; Learning to relax is also a science: it is indispensable for people. People work during the day, which is "Zhang"; When sleeping at night, you need to "relax", otherwise you will lose sleep. People can't always "relax" or "be relaxed": they need to relax, cooperate with each other and get what they want. The ancients understood this truth very well, advocated the unity of the two aspects, and implemented the "civil and military way." "Miscellanies of the Book of Rites" wrote: "If Zhang doesn't relax, he can be civil and military; Easy and not open, both civil and military. The first is to relax, and the way of civil and military affairs is also. " In Zhu Gekongming, we can see a successful example of the complementarity between Confucianism and Taoism. His belief in life is "quiet and far away, indifferent to bright aspirations." "Quiet" and "indifferent" embody the interests of pioneers, while "Zhiyuan" and "Zhi Ming" embody the interests of Confucianism. When you are in adversity, Taoism will also tell you: don't be trapped in mental pain, be broad-minded, have a long-term vision, understand the truth that "disaster is in happiness, disaster is imminent", and master calm and smooth survival skills, so it has a comforting effect. Taoism is like a drugstore. When people encounter mental confusion, it is not enough to eat food alone, but also to take medicine. You must go to the drugstore to buy medicine. The spiritual interest of Buddhism is "letting go". In a word, it is "empty". Let It Go is a story told by Zen. There was a rich boy who brought a lot of money. In order to become a Buddha, he visited a famous teacher and finally met a monk. This monk is a Zen master. He told the young man, "Don't you want to become a Buddha? I tell you there is a place where you can become a Buddha! " The young man couldn't wait to ask, "Where is it?" The Zen master said, "Don't you see a thick wooden pole there?" You climb to the top of that pole, and you will become a Buddha. "The young man, put the purse on the ground, hurriedly climbed up. When he climbed to the top of the pole and looked back, the old Zen master picked up his wallet and walked away. The old Zen master asked the young man, "Have you become a Buddha? "The young man suddenly realized that if he could let go of everything (including the idea of becoming a Buddha), he would become a Buddha! So we can use the word "let go" to express the spiritual interest of Buddhism. In Buddhist terms, "letting go" means seeing through the world of mortals, removing ego and dharma, and positioning the goal of spiritual pursuit in the paradise on the other side. Buddhism does not oppose marriage between men and women, but does not agree with the secular view of love. According to Buddhism, two people get married because of karma. What is the "karma and harmony, illusion"? Put down the annoying feeling and stop suffering from it! Buddhism is a fine work, which wants to solve the troubles in life and realize spiritual liberation, and advocates that the soul can be purified in the yearning for eternal bliss. All aspects of people's spiritual needs can be solved in China's philosophy. Suppose an unmarried young man meets a girl he likes. At this time, Confucianism will encourage him: Young man, hurry up and chase her boldly. " Guan Guan's pheasant dove is a gentle and graceful lady and a good gentleman in Jianghu. "Young men who seriously pursue girls are likely to succeed, resulting in a lingering love story; But it is also possible to fail and not get it. In the latter case, young men must be mentally miserable. " I can't wait, but I can't sleep. "I can't sleep and I can't stop. How to get out of trouble? At this time, Taoism would comfort him like this: young man, want to open up a little, lovelorn, nothing, there are plenty of fish in the sea, start all over again! As for Buddhism, it may be said to young men like this: benefactor, do you see clearly, is beauty really beautiful? " Color is empty, and empty is color. " Why do you take that beauty seriously? According to Buddhism, beautiful women are not beautiful at all. The beauty of a beautiful woman is just an illusion. Take beauty as a "bone view". You see that she has "white teeth and lips", which is not the reality of all laws. Youth is short, that is, a few years. In a few hundred years, you will go to see that beautiful woman. Is she still beautiful? It's a pile of bones! In Buddhism's view, "letting go" is not enough, but also "letting go", that is, don't take beauty seriously and don't take it to heart. Confucianism and Taoism are China's inherent knowledge, mainly focusing on philosophy of life. Confucianism tells people how to spend their lives honestly, while Taoism tells people how to spend their lives easily. As for what will happen after death, neither family cares much. Buddhism is a kind of knowledge introduced from India, mainly about the philosophy of human death. Buddhism has designed a place of "ultimate care" for people, which marks the spiritual direction of transcendence and tells people how to bid farewell to the world cleanly. The philosophy of human death and the philosophy of life seem to be opposite. Only in this way can they form a complementary relationship: if you can't understand death, how can you understand life? Comprehensive application of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism can even break the barrier between life and death. Isn't it a state of mind? Confucianism and Taoism complement each other and stress "the relaxation of learning"; Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism complement each other, and further talk about "life and death and learning together": three religions practice together to form a harmonious mentality. Zhang Zai said in Mingxi: "Yes, I obey; No, I'd rather. "This can be said to be a portrayal of a harmonious mentality. The "thing" he said is to be an official, which embodies the interests of Confucianism to "support"; By "shun", he means turning adversity into shun and conforming to the interests of Taoism. His so-called "peace" is nothing to ask for, no guilt, and it contains the interest of Buddhism in "letting go".