Abstract:
Given the functions of human nature, feelings, mind and will, we can follow Zhu Xi in integrating these functions of a human being into a holistic unity. Relative to human nature as identified as the ontological principle, mind or heartmind shows itself to embody and exhibit the ultimate reality of heaven and earth which realizes the dynamic of li and qi. In other words, mind in this sense has its original creative power, and thus has the power of independent will. On this basis, we can understand more clearly what is meant by Zhu Xi’s assertion that “mind unifies and commands nature and feelings”.We are then also capable of distinguishing the mind of the dao from heartmind of human beings. But how to overcome three kinds of problems for the heartmind of a human being so that we can reach the mind of the dao becomes the essential challenge of a human being and has to do with the selfcultivation by willpower of a human being. In this manner we come to see the crucial issues of the ultimate reality of human nature and human mind in Zhu Xi’s philosophy.
