From: Wang Zhongyang's Collection of Chongyang Education in Song Dynasty.

Original text:

Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are interlinked, and the three religions are never the same thing.

Translation:

Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are interlinked, and the three religions have always been a source.

Extended data:

Creative background:

Wang Zhongyang's practical thought is mainly Taoism, but it also accommodates Confucianism and Buddhism. He holds an open and inclusive attitude towards the relationship between the three religions and thinks that the three religions have something to blend with.

The seven-character metrical poem Sun Gongwen's Three Religions, which is often quoted, embodies this idea: "Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are interlinked, and the three religions have always been the same. Enlightening will let you know the difference, and Xiao Ming promises leniency. Who can compare with the spirit, the sun, the moon and the stars can be the same. Be sensible and look at the sky. " ?

In the first two sentences of this poem, "Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are interlinked, and the three religions have always been one ancestor", we simply think that Wang Zhongyang is a supporter of "the integration of the three religions". The last two sentences, "Understanding leads to knowing the differences, and Xiaoming promises tolerance", clearly show that if you can understand the three religions, you will understand that they are different, so you need to be tolerant of these differences.

This reflects that Wang Zhongyang's focus in this poem is how to deal with the relationship between the three religions. Although there are similarities and differences among the three religions, he does not think that the three religions are vertically integrated, but there are similarities and differences.