印順法師對陽明學說的評論

Abstract

陽明心學以致良知說為主，強調「心即理」，「心外無物」，「心外無理」，謂格物致知，當向內「自求諸心」，不當向外索諸事物；又以「知行合一」、「致良知」為鵠的，頗具風采，翕來眾多追從者，對後世影響深遠。印順法師基於辨同異，對陽明學說提出不少回應，主要可歸納為五項：一是陽明重倫常之教，屬人乘善法，格局有限；二是陽明格物論，偏於心理的解說，並不周延；三是陽明等同良知為佛教的本淨心性，是一種曲解；四是陽明四句教，值得肯定，但有不足處；五是陽明知行合一說，仍有罅漏。這些評議，對吾人從另類角度觀察陽明學說應有助益。

Wang Yangming's theory of mind centers on ＂the realization of (original) knowledge (致良知)＂, emphasizing the notions of ＂mind as principle (心即理)＂, ＂nothing outside the mind (心外無物)＂ and ＂no principles outside the mind (心外無理)＂. The idea of ＂realizing knowledge by investigating things (格物致知)＂ is to ＂seek the mind within (自求諸心)＂ rather than to investigate external objects. His elegant theory, combining the goals of ＂unity of knowledge and action (知行合一)＂ and ＂the realization of (original) knowledge (致良知)＂, has attracted numerous followers and has had a deep influence on later generations. Master Yin Shun, through a process of identifying similarities and differences, has presented several responses to Yangming's theories, which can be categorized into five points: First, Yangming emphasizes the teachings on morality, which belong to the good laws for people of limited faculties. Second, Yangming's theory on investigating things is found lacking, in that it limits itself to the psychological dimension. Third, Yangming equals conscience to the Buddhist idea of the intrinsically pure nature of the mind, which is a misinterpretation of Buddhist doctrines. Fourth, Yangming's ＂four-sentence teaching (四句教)＂ should be commended, but there are still shortcomings. Fifth, there is still deficiencies in Yangming's theory of the unity of knowledge and action. These comments offer a fresh perspective for deepening one's understanding of Yangming's philosophy.