• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.32
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• pp.129-158
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• 2008

After Four-Seven debate in late 16C, Korean Neo-Confucian scholars had developed their theories on human nature and morality such as Insimdosimsoel (theories on the moral emotion and desire), Inmulsoengron(theories on human nature and animal nature), Mibalsimcheron(theories on the calm mind as the embodiment of morality). Confucian scholars had been active member of society since acceptance of Neo-Confucianism. They had the plans of social reforms on the basis of moral self cultivation from the elite Confucians to commoners. So the Confucian scholar took part in the foundation of new Confucian kingdom, the Joseon Dynasty(1392). Kwon gun(1352~1409), the famous Neo-Confucian scholar wrote Iphakdosoel(pictogram for beginer of Neo-Confucianism) which emphasized the importance of moral self cultivation and that the mandate of heaven in human nature is identical with Li, the moral principle which the origin of the human intrinsic moral ability as the basis of unity with man and heaven. He thought that ethical life is identical with mandate of heaven, so he insisted all the member of society should follow Li, the moral principle which the origin of human morality and social goodness. Also he emphasized the morality was the intrinsic and most important value of human being. Therefore ethical life became essential part of self cultivation. Joeng Ji-un(1509~1561) wrote the Chunmyongdosoel (pictogram of mandate of Heaven), the start point of Four-Seven debate in mid 16C. Joeng followed Kwon's theoretical line. He emphasized the importance of moral self cultivation and the human intrinsic moral ability. He wrote that the Four moral emotions arise from Li, the moral principle of mind, while Seven emotions arise from Ki, vital force of body. He insisted that human being should control Ki, the vital force to follow the Li, the moral principle of mind. This Korean Confucian scholars developed theories of morality and self cultivation. This theories not only show the philosophical speculation of Korean Confucian scholars but also show the social idealism and moral utopianism which grounded on the human morality. So they had trust in human morality which can guide human being into the right track to the good and peaceful society. These tendencies are main characteristics of Korean Neo-Confucianism which has seen from the begining of acceptance of Neo-Confucianism. Some modern philosophical criticism which insist the Korean Neo-Confucian theories such as Four-Senven theories was indulged in academic discussion are not only neglect the historical realty but also ignore the potential of Korean Neo-Confucian heritage.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.29-38
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• 2014

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).

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.24_2
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• pp.231-270
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• 2015

This thesis examined Chu Hsi's self-cultivation theory as the representative theory of cultivation in Confucianism, while juxtaposing it to self-cultivation theory in Daesoon thought, concentrating on its similarity and difference. Neo-Confucianism is a scholarship which has wielded a tremendous influence upon East Asia, while functioning as an official scholarship for long period up to Yuan, Ming, and Ching period, after achieving its synthesis by Chu Hsi. After 13th century, Neo-Confucianism has been a representative academic system in Confucianism, and self-cultivation theory was in its center. It suggested various virtues that classical scholars have to equip to fulfill the sainthood and the politics of royal road. The self-cultivation theory of Chu Hsi was developed upon the basis of the theory 'Li-Qi' and the theory of mind. Here, the practice of Geokyung(morally awakened state with a reverent spirit in every moment) and Gyeokmul-tsiji(reaching into the utmost knowledge through investigation of things) formed a nucleus of Chu Hsi's self-cultivation theory. While Geokyung was to reveal one's true nature through cultivation of mind, Gyeokmul-tsiji was to demonstrate the complete use of mind's essence and function. Chu Hsi's self-cultivation theory attempted to realize the unity of heaven and man, and through cultivating self and governing people, it also tried to achieve its ideal of the society of Great Union(Daedong). Daesoon Thought is originated from Sangjenim who has descended to this world as a human being called Jeungsan. He went on his circuit to rectify the disorder of heaven and earth for 9 years to rectify the Three worlds of heaven, earth and human being which were faced with total annihilation due to its rule of mutual conflict, while creating an earthly paradise. Respecting the will of Sangjenim, Dojunim established the foundation of Do through launching 'Meukeukdo' and setting tenet, creed and object so that the cultivators (Doins) could believe and respect the truth of Sangje's great itineration (Daesoon). Among those, the two components of creed, which are four fundamental principles and the three fundamental attitudes are of great account as precept and cardinal point. Through this means, the cultivators of Daesoonjinrihoe aspire to guard against self-deception through transforming the human spirit, to realize earthly immortality through renewing human beings, and to create an earthly paradise through transforming the world. This thesis attempted to compare and analyze the theory of self-cultivation in Neo-Confucianism and Daesoon Thought in the aspect of ground, method, and object of cultivation. First, as for the ground of cultivation, the doctrines of Chu-tzu and Daesoon thought place the essence of cultivation on 'heaven'. Yet, whereas the former postulates Taekeuk (the Great Ultimate) as a principle as well as the heaven of a natural order, Daesoon thought postulates Sangenim as the heaven of superintendence as well as the heaven of a natural order, signified as its equation of Daesoon with circle, along with the unity of Meukeuk (Endlessness) and Taegeuk (the Great Ultimate). Further, the doctrine of Chu-zhu and Daesoon thought is identical in the point that both thoughts see mind as the subject of cultivation, while trying to restore a pure essence. Nevertheless, whereas Neo-Confucianism intends to give scope to ability of the complete use of mind's essence and function, Daesoon Thought sees mind as the essence which is used by spiritual beings and as an organ that heaven, earth and human being rely upon as the center of the universe. In the aspect of method of cultivation, the doctrine of Chuzhu lays emphasis on the rational factor in that it brightens its 'myung-deoki'(bright inner virtue),' while trying to correspond to the law of heaven on the basis of 'Geokyung' and 'Gyeokmul-tsiji.' On the contrary, Daesoon thought lays much emphasis on faith factor in that it aspires for human perfection based on the restoration of conscience by cultivating Daesoonjinri with sincerity, reverence and faith along with 'quieting the heart-mind', 'quieting the body', 'respecting the God of the Ninth Heaven', and 'observing ritual practice on the basis of the faith in Sangjenim. Yet, both thoughts have similarities in that cultivation of body forms the basis and that they attempt to realize their ideals through cultivation in daily life while taking 'Guarding against self-deception' as the key method of self-cultivation.' However, the principle of Chu-zhu can be said to be a voluntary and autonomous practice based on scripture of the saint as well as self-reflection. On the other hand, Daesoon thought reveals certain difference in that it combines faith factor with one's self-effort by concentrating on cultivation under the presence of Sangjenim as the object of belief and the spirits of heaven and earth. In the aspect of object of cultivation, both thoughts share similarities in that the saint and the perfected gentleman with a moral virtue as an ideal image of men in both thoughts attempt to realize each of their 'myung-deok' in human nature as a heavenly mandate while respecting morality. Further, they also share similarity in the point that the desirable characters in both thoughts want to participate in harmonious creation and nurturance. Yet, the perfected gentleman with a moral virtue is also characterized by its aim for a new heaven and earth where there is no mutual conflict but mutual beneficence, by promoting the moral influence and virtue of Sangjenim over one's own virtue, while practising the mutual beneficence of all life through harmonious union of divine beings and human beings.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.116-137
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• 2012

The topic of this study is to ask and answer about 'What matters most in medicine'. And the purpose of this study is to establish paradigm which guarantee 'the original principles of science in medicine' and 'the safety of human life in medicine'. The organized characteristics of this study is as follows. 1. 'The harmony of nature (heaven, earth and human)' is the base of medicine. Because medicine control life directly and all life is 'the son of nature'. 2. 'The harmony of Eum and Yang' is the essential power of universe and the key of metabolism of all life including human, animals and plants. Because 'the nature of universe' and all 'Life field' is 'electro-magnetic field'. 3. The Convergence of Oriental medicine and Western medicine orients 'the harmony of Eum and Yang'.

• Journal of Korean Philosophical Society
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• v.105
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• pp.243-268
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• 2008

Wang-ch'ung(왕충) negated the theory of efficacy between the Heaven and a Man(천인감응) based on Yin Yang(음양) and Five Elements(오행) that was popular at that time. The Heaven is just solid one without a mouth and ears. The order of nature is circling in its own way regardless of the will of human being. Jung classified psychological types of the human being into the introversion and extroversion. From this point of view, Wang-ch'ung(왕충) is belong to extroversion philosophy. He criticized modern society by using effect and evidence, and expressed it as critical moral philosophy and political ideal.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.43
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• pp.107-139
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• 2014

Tasan Chong Yak-yong has criticized Zhu Xi's metaphysical viewpoints of human being. Therefore he revealed his viewpoint of human being and the theory of moral practice through his thoughts about the Lord of Heaven and human nature with spiritual inclination toward goodness. He has drawn the Lord of Heaven into Confucianism again. Heaven as the Lord endows human being with a nature that enjoys virtues and detests vices. It watches human being's good and evil. Here we can say Heaven is a outer efficient cause of moral behavior. According to Tasan, human being has its own 'self directed weight'自主之權 so that he can make a judgment and decision about what to do. Therefore we have to do manifest this moral inclination which is a inner efficient cause of moral behavior. That is to say, we must follow the order of daoxin道心 inside our mind. If we did go against it, our mind would be uncomfortable. Now through the method of so-called shu恕 we need to put filial piety孝 fraternal respect弟 compassion慈 into practice. These three moral practices represent the spirit of reciprocity in Confucianism. These lead us to make an achievement of ren仁, representative virtue in the theory of moral practice. Our moral practice means the fulfillment of humanity. This is the way to serve Heaven. Tasan insists that theses are the core thoughts of Confucius and Mencius.

• Journal of Korean Philosophical Society
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• v.141
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• pp.287-311
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• 2017

The major purpose of this article is to analyze Lee Jema's idea of 'cultivating the self,' and therefore reveal a difference between his idea and 'cultivating and nurturing (the mind)' shown in traditional medicine and Neo-Confucianism. For this purpose, I first analyzed 'cultivating and nurturing (the mind)' of traditional medicine and Neo-Confucianism and showed Lee Jema's originality by studying philosophical foundations of Sasang constitutional Medicine. The idea of 'cultivating and nurturing (the mind)' is transcendental in that it pursues the unity between humans and the principle of natural changes or the Heaven. However, Lee Jema developed his own medical theory by analyzing an ontological structure of human beings and nature and life, and reinterpreting four beginnings on the basis of experience. He reinterpreted humans as a being in the structure of time and space, and relationships with others. In addition, he reinterpreted nature and life and four beginnings as the capability of wisdom and action and the function of mind and body. Therefore, he tried to overcome a transcendental thinking to aim for the unity of humans with the Heaven. Also, he discovered that the most important reason for disease is biased emotions (moral/private) because biased emotions influenced the function of mind and body. The causal relationship is the basis of his medical theory. Therefore, his idea of cultivating the self is focused on being careful not to make emotions biased. This reveals that even though Sasang constitutional theory came from the traditional medical theory and Confucian morality, it developed on a different philosophical foundation. In this regard, I tried to differentiate Lee Jema's idea of cultivating the self from 'cultivating and nurturing (the mind)' which aims for the unity between humans and the principle of changes or the Heaven.

• Journal of Daesoon Thought and the Religions of East Asia
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.41-59
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• 2022

Caodaism is a new religion from Vietnam which began in late 1925 and spread rapidly across the French colony of Indochina. With a broad syncretic aim, the new faith sought to revivify Vietnamese religious traditions whilst also incorporating religious, literary, and spiritist influences from France. Like Catholicism, Caodaism kept a strong focus on its monotheistic nature and today Caodaists are eager to label their religion a monotheism. It will be argued here, however, that the syncretic nature of this new faith complicates this claim to a significant degree. To make this argument, we will consider here the nature of God in Caodaism through two central texts from two important stages in the life of the religion. The first is the canonized Compilation of Divine Messages which collects a range of spirit messages from God and some other divine voices. These were received in the early years of the faith. The second is a collection of sermons from 1948/9 that takes Caodaist believers on a tour of heaven, and which is entitled The Divine Path to Eternal Life. It will be shown that in the first text, God speaks in the mode of a fully omnipotent and omniscient supreme being. In the second text, however, we are given a view of paradise that is much more akin to the court of a Jade Emperor within an East Asian milieu. In these realms, the personalities of other beings and redemptive mechanisms claim much of our attention, and seem to be a competing center of power to that of God. Furthermore, God's consort, the Divine Mother, takes on a range of sacred creative prerogatives that do something similar. Additionally, cadres of celestial administrators; buddhas, immortals, and saints help with the operation of a cosmos which spins on with guidance from its own laws. These laws form sacred mechanisms, such as cycles of reincarnation and judgement. These operate not in the purview of God, but as part of the very nature of the cosmos itself. In this context, the dualistic, polytheistic, and even automatic nature of Caodaism's cosmos will be considered in terms of the way in which they complicate this religion's monotheistic claims. To conclude, this article seeks to demonstrate the precise relevance of the term 'monotheism' for this religion.

• Journal of Korean Philosophical Society
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• v.116
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• pp.411-435
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• 2010

Ken Wilber(1949~) tries to approach integration of philosophy, emphasising the advent of the perennial philosophy in the exchange of scholarships at the present day. He suggests All Quadrant(四象限) for the first step to reach his integrated approach. In addition, his approach concretizes for AQAL(All Quadrant, All Level). His AQAL approach which can be divide into inside/outside, singular/plural, or interobjectivity/intersubjectivity is applied to a lot of fileds such as ecology, management, criminology, medical treatment and its boundary is getting bigger. The merits of Quadrant is that it can solve the problem of the plain(平原), which resolves the strength of subjective interior(cultural contexts) into the external existence(social system). From view of Dongmu Lee Je-ma(1837~1900), a former philosopher, Sa-Sang theory['Affairs-Mind-body-Objects(事心身物)', 'Heaven-Human-nature-Order(天人性命)] is in accord with Wilber in content. In Dongmu's writing, Quadrant(Affairs-Mind-body-Objects') called Sa-Sang theory(四象學) or Sasang Constitional Medicine(四象醫學) is basic component in order to explain the structure of all nature. 'Heaven-Human-nature-Order'; That is, 'Affairs-Mind-body-Objects' results in 'Heaven-Human-nature-Order' focused on human being(human body) in the universe. In other words, Sa-Sang theory is the same as the Wilver's inclusive perspectives from the universe and human being. Dongmu's Sa-Sang theory is compared with C. G. Jung(1875~1961)'s psychology and it helps both fields confirm the foundation and extend the province of application. Comparision of Dongmu's Quadrant with Wilber's is not just analogical reasoning. In comparison, Dongmu's Sa-Sang theory is more delicated and crystallized than Wilber's in medical prospective. Dongmu regards Quadrant not as diseases, but as origin of Physiology and Pathology. And he explains all of their courses as Quadrant.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 1999

The aim of this study is to consider the meaning of the traditional dwelling house and the cardinal points. The cardinal points is a complex concept of the body-scheme direction and celestial direction. This paper explains the meanings of the traditional dwelling house under the following three subtitles; dwelling as the image of the cosmos; dwelling as the center of the world; dwelling as the subjective space. The traditional dwellings have the prominent characteristic of the image of the cosmos and the center of the world which is regarded the human and the architecture as the microcosmos, and which communicates the heaven with the earth. The traditional dwellings which aims to harmonize the human with the nature have the subjective and meaningful space which articulates the nature through the self-systematization.