• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.17
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• pp.35-48
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• 2004

The third teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism have been coexisted and had effect on the oriental spirits for long times. The doctrines of the Confucianism, the Buddhism, and the Taoism are represented as 'moral culture', 'practice', and "training" respectively. The practices of three teachings had individual ways. But in the late Han-dynasty, they had coexisted and effects on one another, then finally had been united since the Song-dynasty. The Confucianism, which advocated "xiū-jǐ-zhì-rén(修己治人: Practising oneself and controlling others)" and "nèi-shèng-wài-wáng(內聖外王: Establishing natural law in oneself and presenting it to others)", put an emphasis on the practice for personality by "Kŏgzĭ(孔子)" and "Mèngzĭ(孟子)". For example, the practices of "Yăng qi(養氣)", "Jìn Xīn(盡心)", and "Cún Xīn(存心)" reflect this doctrines. In the Song-dynasty, "Zhū-xī(朱熹)" established the 'New Confucianism', the study of "Jū-Jìng-qióng-lĭ'", which put an equality with "human nature" and natural law. It is so-called as "Seong-li-hark" in Korea. Therefore, it came to life again by emphasizing 'jīng-shì: Ruling the world' and "moral culture". The Taoism, which pursued "yán-mìng-cháng-shòu(延命長壽: Maintenance of a Scanty existence long life)" and "dào-tōng-shén-xian"(道通神仙: Spiritual awakening Shén-Xian), originally put an emphasis on the practice of body and mind. For example, "Lăozi(老子)" and "Zhuāngzĭ(莊子)" suggested "bāoyī(包一)", "Shŏuyī(守一)", and "Zuòwàng(坐忘)". After the religious body of the Taoism had been established, "Gè-hóng(葛洪)" accomplished the "Nèidān(內丹)" and "Wàidān(外丹)" as practice methods. As times went over, the "Nèidān(內丹)" of "Yăng-Shēng-Wŭ-Dà-Yāo(養生五大要)" including "bì-gŭ(辟穀)", "fú-qì(服氣)", "dăo-yĭn(導引)", "fáng-zhōng(房中)", and "fú-ěr(服餌)", has been the mainstreams for practice. Since the Song dynasty, "sān-jiào-hé-yī-sī-xiǎng(三敎合一思想: Three Teachings are the each other same thoughts)" had been put on emphasis and the three teachings were effected one another, and all of them attached importance to practical training. Therefore, the practice ways in civil societies have been mixed, the origins of them are difficult to divide definitely. The Korean society also has the vague origins of them and reflects the theses historic traditions.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.31
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• pp.33-52
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• 2011

This study intends to understand Kobong's thought, especially the problem of Self-cultivation. Kobong, along with Toegye(退溪), is a major figure to understand Confucian ideas of Chosun in the 16th century. There has been a lot of research centered on Kobong's Four-beginnings(四端) and Seven-emotions(七情), but not much on the Self-cultivation of Kobong. Confucianism is basically to seek after actualization of Perfect Virtue(仁) and the way to be a sage, through the pursuit of self-discipline(修己 明明德) and social practice(安人 新民). The problems of Confucianism might be summarized as follows: interest and appreciation for the source of existence(知天/事天); harmony in relationships and practices(愛人/愛物); both of the above together. Therefore, Self-cultivation is to change the self, the subject of one's life, through the relationship between man and heaven. Kobong and Toegye had debated for about eight years(1559-1566) over the problem of human nature, especially emotion(情), and virtue and vice(善惡) fundamental position of Toegye is that the difference between Four-beginnings(四端) and Seven-emotions(七情) can be understood as emotion with qualitative distinction. By contrast, Kobong sees the relationship between Four-beginnings(四端) and Seven-emotions(七情) as that of total and partial. Discussion on the Four-beginnings(四端) and Seven-emotions(七情) is not restricted within the problem of logical analysis of concepts or theoretical validity, but come to a conclusion with the problem of Self-cultivation(修養). In this sense, Kobong tried to follow Neo-Confucian theory of human nature and self-cultivation, on the assumption of Confucian self-discipline and social practice.