浅议《京华烟云》的“道”(1)

Abstract
Lin Yutang advocated the thought of “It ought to be order” of Taoism of Moment in Peking, with Confucianism as foil. The overall structure of the whole book was the philosophy of Chuangtse. It indicated the particular opinions how Taoists think of property ,pleasure-seeking, life and death, love and marriage. It illustrated clearly Taoists' philosophy ideas of their optimistic and magnanimous attitudes towards life What’s more, the author’s characteristic in introducing traditional Chinese culture to the west is using the form of novel, by which he created a variety of typical and lively characters.
Key words: Lin Yutang;  Moment in Peking;  Taoism

中文摘要
林语堂在《京华烟云》中以儒家思想为陪衬，弘扬了“顺应天道”的道家思想。全书以“庄周哲学”为笼络，透露出了道家对待财富、享乐、生死及婚恋的独特观点，阐明并推崇了道家思想达观豁然、心胸宽广的哲学理念。本书采用小说的艺术表现方法，塑造了形象鲜明、性格不一的人物是作者向西方人介绍中国传统文化的独到之处。
关键词：林语堂；《京华烟云》； 道

Introduction

Lin Yutang, born in Long Xi, Zhang Zhou, south of Fujian in 1895, was the son of Pastor Lin Zhicheng He first studied in free missionary schools in Xiamen, and then went to Shanghai St.John's University where he learned English by heart and read a lot of western books. When he graduated from St.John's University in 1916, Yutang accepted a teaching post at QingHua College in Beijing. There he found himself surrounded by Chinese history and realized how small the confines of his Christian education had been. Determined to make up to his inadequacy, he began to study traditional Chinese culture and became interested in philosophy of Chuangtse particularly.
In the literary world, Lin Yutang was one of the well-known writers, who was listed as one of the 'wisdom Figure' in 20th century in American Literature Area. In 1975, in the 41st International association of Poets, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists (PEN), he was selected as General assistant President of the association. And what's more, he was nominated for the candidate of Nobel Literature Prize. One of Yutang' s friends said that, the strong point of Yutan was to introduce Chinese culture to the foreigners and in return, to introduce foreign culture to the Chinese. Lin Yutang himself agreed to this completely. He used his own words: "two feet to cross over the eastern and western culture; One heart to comment the global articles." before 1936, he devoted most of his time and energy to bringing Chinese culture to the world. Many of his great works written in English such as My Country and My People. The Art of Living, Moment in Peking enjoyed great popularity in the west .He did contribute a lot to the exchange of eastern and western culture.
In the late 19th century and the first 50years of the 20th century, the eastern and western cultures experienced a great historic conflict. Chen Ping Yuan pointed out in his book Aesthetic Standards of Lin Yutang and Eastern and Western Cultures that:" To the Chinese intellectuals of the 20th century, there is no doubt that how to balance the eastern and western cultures is a very serious problem. One is the strong western concept; the other is the strong patriotic feeling of their nation. The struggle drives them to roaming between the eastern and western cultures.”[1] During this big hit, apart from Western learning, there is also Eastern learning, which is more important for the Chinese to spread our civilization. Lin Yutang owned a special way of thinking that resulted from his own special life experience and culture environment, which made him experience the different psychological process as the writers of his day. His thoughts about human culture had been divided into 3periods in his 'cultural novels': First, after he did the research of the traditional Chinese culture, through comparing the two thoughts Confucianism and “Tao”, he advocated “Tao”. Second, after the comparison of eastern and western culture, Lin Yutang’s balance of feeling was inclined to the Chinese culture. Third, from the view of human beings, he found out that the eastern and western culture had their own weak points and strong points when he observed the world culture from the global prospect, and finally he proposed the culture conception in the future----A good combination of Chinese and Western elements.[2]In this article of Moment in Peking, the emphasis will be placed on the first period----“Tao”, or say philosophy of Chuangtse.

Chapter1. Correlative Introduction of
Moment in Peking
Moment in Peking was written in 1938, when the Sino-Japanese war broke out. Mr. Lin's daughter Lin Rusi recalled:" In the spring of 1938, an idea to translate the Red chamber Dream dawned on my father after careful consideration, he found that The Red Chamber Dream was written long ago from now, so he changed his mind to write a novel which reflect the mordent life of China.”[3] The westerners could understand this novel more easily because the time and the background this novel set on was close to the author’s day.  In March of 1938, Lin Yutang began to design the characters and plot of the novel. After five-month fermentation, he started to write on 8th, August of 1939. It cost Lin a whole year totally. This great work that Lin Yutang shed his heart’s blood on was the most beautiful and most fresh flower in the garden of Lin’s novels.
This shining flower was rooted in the soil of national spirit and patriotism. It was written at the beginning of Sino-Japanese War, which decided the importance of patriotism. Lin Yutang revealed his motive of production of this novel in the letter to Yu Dafu , that is , to remember the brave soldiers in the front who died for our nation. Lin Yutang believed that an intellects of China, during the vital moment, he should connect his own fate to that of his motherland. He also believed that as a writer, the sharpest weapon was the pen and the works. In this book the author intended to tell the west how china the big and old nation, experienced the great pains, suffering and still made the progress bit by bit in a certain particular time (from early to mid of the 20th century). So in this novel, we can read many Chinese history stories such as Boxer Rebellion, The May 4th Movement of 1919, etc. The author showed us an especial life attitude of “Tao” through the description of different life attitudes and experience of different characters from different families in a certain time. The author believed that thought of Tao school was a very particular kind thought in that time because it was in a sense superior to Confucianism which had been playing a predominant role in China over a long time especially the feudal Confucian ethical code which constrains and stifles human nature. What’s more, some of its views embodied democracy, freedom, independence of personality, all of which the west pursue. In this sense, thoughts of Tao School and the western culture have something in common while they have their own characteristics. In a word, Moment in Peking is the vehicle of thoughts of Lin Yutan. That's to say; this novel indicates the author’s thinking. Lin Yutang’s daughter Lin Rusi said in her book On Moment In Peking: “Life is like a dream” was the gist of Moment In Peking. But as a matter of fact, the opinion of Lin Yutang’s own was not completely similar to that of his daughter. He became greatly aware of the changeable nature of things and human beings on the basis of the objectives of Taoism, aware of the brevity of life, and of ultimate nihility, without negating the relative meaning of life. Meanwhile, on the basis of the view of taking things philosophically and naturalism, on the condition of looking into the real side of life, he advocated to follow the big Way, to liberate spirit, and to live a happy life, which should be pointed out as an important thought of Lin Yutang’s philosophy of life. The actor, Yao Si'an, the Taoist and his elder daughter, Yao Milan are of Lin Yutang ' s favorite. The author once said:" If I were a woman, I would be MuLan."[4]Yao Mulan therefore becomes the perfect woman image in his eyes. And this kind of perfection is not only due to her appearance. The more important factor is her character of magnanimity, open mind, optimism, humor sense, innocence and full of imagination, which form under the influence of his father’s Taoist thought. These thoughts and personalities are greater and more glamorous in the society in which the Confucianism predominates.

Chapter2. The embodiment of “Tao” in 
Moment In Peking

Thought of Tao School is not only an important part of Chinese thought but also becomes an international one "Taoism accounts for a side of the Chinese Character which Confucianism cannot satisfy.”[5] There is a natural romanticism and a natural classicism in a nation, as in an individual. Taoism is the romantic school of Chinese thought, as Confucianism is the classic school. Actually, Taoism is romantic throughout. Firstly, it stands for the return to nature and the romantic escape from the world, and revolt against the artificiality and responsibilities Confucian culture. Secondly, it stands for the rural ideal of life, art and literature, and the worship of primitive simplicity. And thirdly, it stands for the world of fancy and wonder, coupled with a childishly naive cosmogony."[6]In the culture of Tao School, “Tao” is the origin of everything, is existing and long-lasting. LaoTzu said in his Tao Te Ching:" Tao gave birth to the one, the one gave birth successively to two things, three things, up to ten thousand (i.e., everything)."[7]That is why Taoists insist on always being natural. They believe that everything is decided by nature, by their fate, but not by themselves. So-called 'good fortune' and 'bad fortune' are the same in their eyes. Because they know that "It is upon bad fortune that good fortune leans, upon good fortune that bad fortune rests"[8] There fore," to do nothing ""to love by quietude"." to act only by inactivity"." to have no wants" become their motto. Through this novel we can see clearly that thought of Tao School really affect Taoists' views of material and property, pleasure-seeking, life and death, love and marriage. Below it will be analyzed from these four aspects.

I. View of material and property
"Scorn wealth and rank, deride fame and gain "is the concrete portraiture of Chuangtse in terms of view of material property. All these thoughts reach among the people; they change into an ideological level of taking a light view to everything. The common people do not know much hows and whys of Tao School, but when they encounter difficulty in daily life, their friends and relatives comfort them: “Don’t take the matter to heart.” As for property, Taoists take a light view of wealth. “Money is mere worldly possessions. We are not born with it, and can not bring it with us when we die.” “Gold is not so expensive, peace and pleasure worth more.” Peace and leisure can be experienced directly. It’s better for us to enjoy the ready-made peace and happiness, to enjoy life than to go to pursue the useless gold. Yutang creates the character Yao Si'an in order to find a body for the soul of thoughts of Tao School. At the beginning of the novel, as Yao Si'an appears, he shows a different special philosophy of life. He thinks that:" If you are right, nothing happens to you will ever be wrong." He also believes that:' Men propose, and the good decides."[9]We can see his philosophy of Chuangtse from his attitude towards money, fame and gain, social position. The first chapter in the novel refers that the Yao family intend to move back to Hang Zhou hometown so as to take the shelter of the war and suffering. At the time of departure, Mr.Yao told the general housekeeper who stayed to guard the house:" If any looters come, do not risk your old life for these trash and rubbish! They are not worth it!"[10]Mr.Yao considers what other people thinks as extremely precious treasures" trash and rubbish", which indicates that, the view about money and material resulting from thought of Tao school is to become indifferent to fame and gain. This kind of indifference of money also appears at the time of his daughter's marriage ceremony. When it refers that "MuLan's wedding was to be one of the grandest Peking has seen." There are four reasons; the fourth one is that "because MuLan's father had begun to take a very light view of his wealth."[11] "Wealth was to him like a fireworks display tracing lines of fire in the dark sky--with plenty of splutter and brilliance, and ending in smoke, ashes, and the chanted ends on the ground."[12]To take a light view of wealth, fame and gain is just the philosophy of Chuangtse. In the background in which the Confucianism occupied the leading position, at the time when the nation's situation was characterized by troublous and intranquilty, many men and women fight one another or even betray the interests of the nation, only for money, fame and gain. For example, the son of New family New Huaiyu called "god of wealth" is insatiably avaricious. He even becomes lackey of Japanese just for money. In these people's eyes, "Money can drive ghost turning a millstone." so they prefer wealth to remaining indifferent to "external things". What Mr.Yao said "A man should not be excited means" having no wants", which results in quiet in the state of mind. "Having no wants" can go further to gain the freedom of heart. This is a kind of leading mind no matter in the western society full of material desires or in ancient China at that time. In a word, thought of Tao School supplies the people a correct view towards material and property in the present society. We mustn’t neglect to pursue the mental property and mustn’t pay all attention to the pursuit of material enjoyment.

II. View of pleasure-seeking
On one hand, Tao School considers consumption of material as human being’s essential and natural pursuit. In scientific sense, limited and simple consumption can maintain human’s life activity, which is normal condition of life." On the other hand, Tao School considers returning to Nature to be the zenith of theoretic interest, so Nature is logically contained in the process of life for “Tao”, which generates inextricably their approving and advocating pleasure of life."[13]And enough satisfaction with Nature' forms the view of pleasure. Chuangtse always praises that: “Be full first, and then go on a pleasure tour.” Pursuing enjoyment of material is an essential and correct human need. However, the health of body is not contrary to the quiets of heart. In the balance of structure of body and heart, the two elements are of the same importance. “The people should be contented with their food, pleased with their clothing, satisfied with their homes, should take pleasure in their rustic tasks.”[14] What’s more, simplicity and fewness of desires are raised to a near level of ontology. In this sense, limitation of desires becomes a pursuit of one’s own. Laotzu advocates “knowledge less and desire less” life, he thinks: “Only by knowing when it is time to stop can danger be avoided.” He said: “To be content with what one has are, and no one can despoil you; who stops in time nothing can harm. He is forever safe and secure.” “No lure is greater than disaster greater than not to be content with what one has, no presage of evil greater than that men should be wanting to get more.” So truly: “He who has once known the contentment that comes simply through being content, will never again be otherwise than contented.” In the book, there are many details description showing such an opinion. For instance, at the beginning of the book mentioning the original presence of the two Yao’s daughters." The beautiful young woman appeared again with two girls, both dressed very simply in white cotton jackets, one with green, and the other with void trousers."[15] Generally speaking, the daughters of the rich family are all "golden branches and jade leaves". So they will probably dress up themselves with jewels. However, we can see obviously the dressing difference of the two sisters from others through the word "simply". What's more, Mr. Lao doesn't advocate, "binding feet", either. He thinks that "binding feet" is a corrupt custom which destroy severely the Chinese women's health. Therefore, his daughters didn't bind feet since childhood; instead, they let their feet develop naturally. This view is totally different from Confucian view of thinking" binding feet "to be "women's character". As for Yao Si’an, he likes collecting antiques, and so on. To sum up, the Taoists' view of pleasure seeking is to be natural.

III. View of life and death

In Chuangtse's opinion, human's life and death depend on fate, that is to say "Death and life is fate." (From Chuangtse. Master). A man’s birth doesn’t act for himself, because he himself doesn’t exist at all at that time. Self comes from nothing, after one’s birth, there has been an “I”, “I” come to this world being stark naked. What am “I”, “I”’ arrival doesn’t get the permission of self. This kind of pure passive existence is fate itself. At the end of life, different from the time of birth, we have the ability to decide. But when we each face one’s death, does Death once talk it over with you and get your permission? No! It seems that we can choose a small amount of ways of death, but we cannot choose to live permanently, this, is fate, too. All the scientific rules point out the truth, the unchangeable truth. Facing the tremendous unknown field that is before birth and after death, a kind of drifting sense towards life cannot be avoided. That is the reason why Tao School sets human beings on “fate”. When LaoTzu talked about “fate”, he said, “Return to the root from which they grew. This return to the root is called quietness;

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