The Double Negation Thinking of Li Rong: An Analysis of Commentary on Laozi
Author: Chun-Hung Lin
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
This article deals with the text of an important commentary of Laozi in theearly Tang Dynasty by Li Rong. We shall analyze the academic position of thecommentary and discuss the epistemological and ontological understanding foundin this double-negation school writing. We shall deal with three important issues:the Dao discourse (including double-negation discourse), the self-cultivationdiscourse, and the governing discourse. We will attempt to answer a number ofimportant questions. First, what was the starting point for Li Rong’s doublenegation thinking? Second, what is the ultimate meaning of double negation in LiRong’s work? Third, what does Li Rong mean by the concept of the “void andultimate origin” (虛極之理)? Fourth, how does Buddhist thinking influence LiRong’s double negation? Finally, how does the divine differ from and interact withthe secular? The core thesis will dwell on the concept that the ideal and sacred orderfuses with the practical and secular order by way of the thinking of double negation.The ideas of mind (心) and essence or nature (性) － acknowledged as the essenceof Dao (道性) in Li Rong’s commentary will also be important concerns in thispaper.
The paper will also touch upon some other important issues. First, it willexplore the relationship between the Daoist School, Confucian School andBuddhism during the Han dynasty, Wei-Jin era and Sui-Tang era. Second, thehierarchy of the political and religious affairs will be expounded on. This will befollowed by discussion on the body and the state, looking at whether the physical or mental should be emphasized, body formation in the state building process, andthe Buddhist influenced interpretation of Laozi.
The “Laozi Commentary by Li Rong” reflects the political and religioussituation at the time and conveys the internal essence of the political discourses ofDaoism, the Confucian School, and Buddhism on the Daoist religion. Undoubtedlythis writing itself is a part of the process of state formation or building and the resultof the dominance of political power during the Tang dynasty.