唯識學으로 해석한 良知의 자기인식

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the self-reflective cognitive structure of Liangzhi(良知) based on the perspective of consciousness-only doctrine(唯識學). The specific research method is as follows. The present study presents the epistemological similarity between two theories in detail by comparing the major cognitive elements of Yangming philosophy and the consciousness-only doctrine, which is the cognitive subject(意), cognitive object(物), Liangzhi(良知) for the former, and the aspect of cognizing(見分), aspect of being cognized(相分), store- consciousness(阿賴耶識) for the latter. Depending on this similarity, the doctrine of conditioned arising of store-consciousness(阿賴耶識緣起) is applied to the cognitive structure of Yangming philosophy centered on the concept of Liangzhi. The study results show that Liangzhi, an immutable and fundamental mind, exists: ① The cognitive objects are created by the cognitive function of Liangzhi; and ② the cognitive subject which is generated from Liangzhi exist. Simultaneously, the cognitive structure; that is, the generated subject recognizes the created objects, is established. This is what this study calls ‘the self-reflective cognitive structure of Liangzhi.’ Through the cognitive structure as mentioned above, the epistemological crux of Yangming philosophy, ‘mind shapes everything’, can be properly grasped.