Abstract
Objectives : In ministerial-fire theory(相火論) of Zhu Dan-Xi(朱丹溪), the meanings of monarch-fire(君火) and ministerial-fire(相火) described in papers published nowadays are not the same. Therefore, it is necessary to rebuild a clear concept. Methods : To understand the relationships among 'heaven(天)'-'human(人)' and 'name(名)'-'position(位)', the core concept of the ministerial-fire theory(相火論) of Zhu Dan-Xi(朱丹溪), I examined the relationships between 'heaven(天)' and 'human(人)' in Neo-Confucianism(性理學) of Song(宋) Dynasty and reviewed the notes of Wang Bing(王冰) which were quoted by Zhu Dan-Xi(朱丹溪) to set the concept of monarch-fire(君火) and ministerial-fire(相火). I studied relevant texts. Results : In ministerial-fire theory(相火論) of Zhu Dan-Xi(朱丹溪), monarch-fire(君火) is perceived as being from greed(人欲) that can cause hyperactivity(妄動) of ministerial-fire(相火), whereas ministerial-fire(相火) is perceived as being able to control monarch-fire(君火) by following the orders from heaven. This point of view is different from the past which recognized monarch-fire (君火) as the owner and ministerial-fire(相火) as the servant. Conclusions : Zhu Dan-Xi(朱丹溪) received the ideological impact of Neo-Confucianism, and accepted the notes of Wang Bing, recognized monarch-fire(君火) as 'name(名)' and ministerial-fire(相火) as 'position(位)', so he voiced the ministerial-fire theory(相火論) that perceived monarch-fire(君火) as fire(火) of the five processes(五行) of human body that came from greed, ministerial-fire(相火) as being in a position to hear the order from the 'heaven(天)' to control monarch-fire(君火). But the concept of ministerial-fire(相火) which he set connoted a confusing meaning of 'nature(性)' and 'way(道)' of Neo-Confucianism. In the later process to solve the problem, life-gate theory(命門學說) was raised, and many researchers had tried to remove the meaning of hyperactivity from the ministerial-fire(相火).