Huanyou Li, M.A.

Responsibilities

"Wang Fuzhi’s Views of Buddhism and their Influence, focusing on Xiangzongluosuo 相宗络索"

Li Huanyou received his M.A. in Chinese Philosophy from East China Normal University in 2020 with a thesis focusing on Wang Fuzhi’s Views of Transformation of Qi as the Heavenly Way.

His doctoral research project mainly studies Wang Fuzhi’s criticisms of Buddhism and their influence. Wang’s views of Buddhism are more profound than scholars generally thought, not only because of the complexity of his criticisms of Buddhism, but also the neglected influence of his writings on modern thinkers, such as Tan Sitong (谭嗣同, d. 1898 AD), Xiong Shili (熊十力, d. 1968 AD). His view is unique in the sense that it is a fusion of seemingly conflicting thoughts of Confucianism and Buddhism, especially the Cittamātrin(Mind-Only School). First, the dissertation will check the difference between Wang Fuzhi’s criticisms of Buddhism and the thinkers’, especially the Confucianists’, before him. The second part will examine Wang Fuzhi’s depictions of Buddhism and their implications. The third part will study the correlations between Wang Fuzhi’s views on Buddhism and his other thoughts. The last part will check the influence of these views on the later thinkers.