주희의 『주역참동계고이(周易參同契考異)』에 나타난 만년 사상 연구- 연단술의 재해석과 새로운 영생관의 모색-

Abstract

This article does not regard Zhouyi chantongqi kaoyi 周易參同契考異 as an isolated area in Zhu Xi’s philosophy. Instead, I have investigated it in relation to his thought in the latter years of Zhu Xi’s life, especially the thought concerning the key concept of his philosophy, li (理, principle). Zhouyi chantongqi is related with the cosmology and a priori Yi-logy (xiantian yixue 先天易學). However, Wei Boyang(魏伯陽), the author of Zhouyi chantongqi borrows the concept of yin-yang(陰陽) and the principle of guaxiang(卦象) from a priori Yi-logy in order to establish the basis of external alchemy, not for the interpretation of Zhouyi. Therefore, the relationship with cosmology and a priori Yi-logy had only the second-hand link. According to Zhu Xi, the text, from which external and internal alchemy are extracted, is based on li as the common basis of science and natural philosophy. In this context, he tries to establish the external and internal alchemy as natural philosophy on the basis of li. According to Zhu Xi, external alchemy is the method to search for the elixir that is made of the same kind of material with the One (yizhe 一者) in the monism of Taoism. Although Zhu Xi admits that the elixir consists of the same with the everlasting thing, he basically criticizes external alchemy and the Taoist monism from the perspective of li-qi(理氣) dualism. Meanwhile, Zhu Xi reinterprets internal alchemy on the basis of li-qi dualism. The xianren(仙人), Zhu says, who have performed the training of internal alchemy and acknowledged as immortals in those days, are not immortal. Although Zhu Xi approves the possibility to delay the dispersion of bodily qi-energy through the respiration of internal alchemy within the limits of life spam, he insists that internal alchemy is also within the limit of cultivating qi-energy (yangsheng 養生) like external alchemy. However, cultivating mind (yangxin 養心) makes possible the new prospect of immortality based on li. That is to say, the self-cultivation connected with li is able to guarantee a sort of the immortality and eternal life, whereas the cultivating qi-energy cannot do that in the end.