西游解读前言一
Preface to the Interpretation of Journey to the West - Part One
中国传统文化是儒释道三家紧密结合共同作用的结果，它们为什么能够结合在一起？它们是怎样结合在一起的？这种结合有什么伟大意义？
The traditional culture of China is the sacred fruit of the profound integration and synergistic action of the Three Teachings—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Why were they able to unite? How did they unite? What is the sublime significance of this union?
中国传统文化源远流长、辉煌灿烂。数千年来，博大精深的中国传统文化始终引领着人类思想的大潮，使中华民族巍然屹立于世界之林。古老而伟大的中华民族在其几千年的发展史上，经历了无数次外敌入侵和内乱纷争。面对一次次破坏，优秀的中国传统文化总能引导中华民族化险为夷，一次又一次顽强地重新走上统一富强的道路。
The traditional culture of China possesses an ancient, flowing source and radiates resplendent brilliance. For millennia, this vast and profound culture has ceaselessly guided the great tides of human thought, enabling the Chinese nation to stand majestically among the peoples of the world. Throughout its millennia-long history, the ancient and venerable Chinese nation has endured countless foreign invasions and internal strife. Facing each devastation, the sublime Chinese traditional culture invariably guided the nation through peril, enabling it to tenaciously return, time and again, to the path of unity and prosperity.
中华民族是一个以农耕为主的民族，与游牧民族相比，农耕民族在武力方面存在很大劣势。在悠久漫长的历史上，伟大而古老的中国屡受军事强国的入侵。人是思想的动物，思想指挥行动，强大不在于武力，而在于思想、在于文化，文化的强大才是真的强大。优秀的中国传统文化面对每一次入侵，都能从思想上完成对敌人的同化，使敌人融化为中华民族的一分子。这就像流星，流星的每一次入侵，最终都必然融化于地球母亲的怀抱。优秀的中国传统文化不仅能够同化外敌，而且能够平息内乱。我们伟大的祖国虽然经历了很多内乱，但她不仅没有在内乱中分崩离析，相反能够在历次内乱后不断融合，越来越强大。
The Chinese nation is primarily agrarian. Compared to nomadic peoples, agrarian societies historically held a significant disadvantage in martial prowess. Across the vast expanse of history, the great and ancient land of China was repeatedly invaded by formidable military powers. Yet, humanity is an animal of thought; thought directs action. True strength lies not in force, but in thought, in culture. The power of culture is the ultimate power. Facing each invasion, the sublime Chinese traditional culture accomplished the spiritual assimilation of the invaders, dissolving them into the body of the Chinese nation. Like meteors whose fiery descent inevitably ends in dissolution within the embrace of Mother Earth. This culture not only assimilated external foes but also quelled internal strife. Though our great motherland endured numerous civil conflicts, she never fragmented. On the contrary, after each period of turmoil, she fused anew, emerging ever stronger.
为什么会这样呢？这是因为真正的统一是文化的统一，文化的统一才能实现国家的统一。历史上虽然中华大地历经分裂，但这种分裂仅仅只是表面现象。从最终的结果来看，这种暂时的分裂仅仅只是行政管理上的条块分割。无论怎样分裂，无论多么严重的军阀割据，他们在思想文化上始终是高度统一的。正因为思想文化上高度统一，因此任何形式的任何分裂最终都必将重新走向统一。这正是中国传统文化强大生命力的表现，假若我们没有优秀的博大精深的统一的中国传统文化，那么任何一次分裂都必将造成永久分裂。
Why is this so? Because true unity is *cultural* unity. Only the unity of culture can achieve the unity of the nation. Though the land of China experienced periods of fragmentation in history, this division was merely superficial. Ultimately, these temporary divisions were merely administrative partitions. No matter the division, no matter how severe the warlordism, there remained a profound unity in thought and culture. Precisely because of this deep cultural unity, every form of division inevitably flowed back towards reunification. This is the manifestation of the indomitable vitality of Chinese traditional culture. Without this excellent, vast, profound, and unifying culture, any fragmentation would have led to permanent rupture.
分分合合、合合分分，最终走向大一统，走向大同世界，这正是文化的力量，这正是中国传统文化的伟大和辉煌！为什么中国传统文化具有如此强大的生命力呢？要认识这个问题，我们必须认识儒释道，因为儒释道是中国传统文化的核心，是中华文明的主体和标志。儒释道三家既有共同之处，也有各自优势。它们取长补短、互相吸收融合，最终形成统一的优秀的中国传统文化。
Division and reunion, reunion and division – ultimately flowing towards the Great Unity, towards the World of Great Harmony (Datong) – this is the power of culture! This is the greatness and glory of Chinese traditional culture! Why does it possess such potent vitality? To understand this, we must understand Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, for they are the core of Chinese traditional culture, the very body and emblem of Chinese civilization. These Three Teachings share common ground yet possess distinct strengths. They complemented each other, absorbed and fused together, ultimately forming the unified and sublime Chinese traditional culture.
中国传统文化是儒释道三家紧密结合共同作用的结果，它们为什么能够结合在一起？它们是怎样结合在一起的？这种结合有什么伟大意义？接下来我们探讨这些问题：
The traditional culture of China is the sacred fruit of the profound integration and synergistic action of the Three Teachings—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Why were they able to unite? How did they unite? What is the sublime significance of this union? Let us now explore these questions:
儒释道三家都是研究"心"的，都是研究思维的，都是对我们的思想进行研究，这是它们的共同之处。在对思想的研究中，它们都主张"善"。尤其重要的是儒释道对"善"的认识并不建立在泛泛而论的说教上，而是建立在严格的实证基础上。这种实证不仅能够使人们深入认识"善"，而且能够给人们带来健康快乐，这是儒释道学说能够得到普及的根本动力。善莫大焉，"善"是健康快乐的源泉，也是社会安定团结的基础。
The Three Teachings all investigate the "Heart-Mind" (Xin), all explore consciousness, all delve into the nature of our thoughts. This is their common ground. In this exploration, they all advocate "Goodness" (Shan). Crucially, their understanding of "Goodness" is not based on vague platitudes, but on rigorous *practical realization*. This realization not only allows people to deeply comprehend "Goodness" but also brings them health and happiness. This is the fundamental impetus for the widespread acceptance of the Three Teachings. There is no greater good than "Goodness"; it is the source of health and happiness, and the foundation of social stability and harmony.
正因如此，中国古代的统治者都很推崇儒释道，人民也自愿深入学习儒释道，这是儒释道能够不断发扬光大的时代背景和现实需要。儒释道虽然都研究"心"，但它们的研究却各有不同侧重点：
Therefore, the rulers of ancient China revered the Three Teachings, and the people willingly immersed themselves in their study. This was the historical context and practical necessity that allowed Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism to flourish continuously. Though all explore the "Heart-Mind," their investigations have distinct emphases:
儒家侧重于研究我们当前这种思维状态的思维现象、精神面貌，这一点类似于心理学，因为心理学也是侧重于研究我们当前这种思维状态的思维。尤为重要的是儒家对"心"的研究，侧重于社会管理，服务于"人世"。
Confucianism focuses on the phenomena of thought and the spiritual demeanor within our *current* state of consciousness, akin to psychology's focus on present-mind cognition. Crucially, Confucian study of the "Heart-Mind" emphasizes *social governance*, serving "engagement with the world"
"学而优则仕"是这种思想的真实写照，也是中国知识分子和政治牢牢捆绑在一起的重要原因。儒家的这种"人世"思想既有其积极一面，也有其不利之处。在学术分科越来越细的今天，这种"学而优则仕"的思想容易造成学术无法独立，对学术研究造成不利影响。
"Excel in learning, then enter government service"epitomizes this ideal and is a key reason Chinese intellectuals became closely tied to politics. While this Confucian "worldly engagement" has positive aspects, it also has drawbacks. In an age of increasingly specialized disciplines, this ideal can hinder academic independence and adversely affect scholarly research.
佛家和道家对"心"的研究都以"出世"为最终目的，但二者也有不同之处：佛家侧重于从"思维"角度进行研究，道家则侧重于从"物质（身体）"角度进行研究。儒释道涵盖"出世"和"入世"两个方面，这样就能形成一个稳态结构。这种稳态结构的最大优势在于能够使知识分子"进则经世济民，退则独善其身"，这样就不至于使知识分子在仕途不利时产生大的问题，从而有利于保持社会稳定和国家统一。
Buddhism and Taoism both aim for "transcendence from the world" in their study of the "Heart-Mind," but differ in approach: Buddhism emphasizes investigation from the perspective of "consciousness," while Taoism focuses on the "material (body)" aspect. Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism together encompass both "worldly engagement" and "world transcendence". This forms a dynamic equilibrium. Its greatest advantage lies in enabling intellectuals to "advance and govern the world to aid the people; retreat and cultivate the self to perfect one's virtue". This prevents major issues arising when intellectuals face political setbacks, thereby benefiting social stability and national unity.
正因为儒释道同属一个稳态系统，都是研究"心"的，具有同的研究方向，因此儒释道在发展的过程中逐渐走向统一，形成三教合一的局面。儒家理论的高峰是理学，理学的核心是关于"心"的理论。它摄取了释道的大量哲学思想、思维形式和修持方法，使三者密切结合起来，难解难分，充分展现出三教合一的态势。尤其到了王阳明时期，三教合一的观念得到进一步强化，儒学也因此而更加完善，影响更加深远。
Precisely because the Three Teachings belong to one harmonious system, all studying the "Heart-Mind" with a shared orientation, they gradually unified during their development, forming the synthesis of the Three Teachings. The pinnacle of Confucian theory, Neo-Confucianism , centers on the theory of the "Heart-Mind." It assimilated vast amounts of philosophical thought, cognitive frameworks, and cultivation methods from Buddhism and Taoism, intimately weaving the three together, inseparably manifesting the trend of Three Teachings Unity. This synthesis was further strengthened during the time of Wang Yangming, leading to a more complete Confucianism with even deeper influence.
道家的修持方法侧重于物质方面，物质建立在"选择性思维"基础上，伴随着"选择性思维"的形成而同步形成，而"选择性思维"是非常不稳定的，这就导致道家在修持中容易出现问题。为了解决这些问题，道家的全真派吸取佛家思想，首先从思维方面进行修持，待心性稳定后再从物质（身体）方面进行修持，这就是"性命双修，先性后命"。全真派的形成标志着道家的发展实现了三教合一，也标志着道家理论得到进一步完善，具有更强的可操作性。
Taoist cultivation methods traditionally emphasized the material aspect. However, material form is founded upon "selective thinking" , which arises simultaneously with it. As "discriminating thought" is inherently unstable, it often caused problems in Taoist practice. To resolve this, the Quanzhen (Complete Reality) School of Taoism absorbed Buddhist insights. It advocated cultivating the mind first , stabilizing the heart-mind, *before* cultivating the material body. This is "Cultivating Both Nature and Life Force, Nature First Then Life Force". The emergence of the Quanzhen School marked Taoism's achievement of Three Teachings Unity and a significant refinement of Taoist theory, enhancing its practicality.
佛学从其发源地来到中国后，和中国本土文化充分结合，逐渐步人顶峰，形成禅宗。禅宗的形成使佛教更加平易近人，更加易于普及。在禅宗形成后，佛学得到大规模发展。它深深扎根于大众，极大地推动了社会发展，使中国传统文化更加辉煌灿烂！
After Buddhism arrived in China from its birthplace, it fully integrated with the native culture, gradually reaching its zenith with the formation of Chan (Zen) Buddhism. The rise of Chan made Buddhism more accessible and easier to disseminate. Following its establishment, Buddhism flourished on a grand scale. Deeply rooted among the populace, it profoundly propelled social development, making Chinese traditional culture even more resplendent!
佛学在儒释道三教合一的进程中，发挥了核心作用，它使儒释道对"心（思维）"的研究形成了完整体系。为什么佛学能够发挥如此巨大的作用呢？这是因为佛学在对"心"的研究中发现了"思维根本状态（如来藏）"。这一成果使我们能够从源头研究思维，使我们能够认识到这个世界的本质，使我们能够真正认识和掌握世界的基本演变规律，从而为其他各个学科的发展指明方向。
Buddhism played a pivotal role in the synthesis of the Three Teachings. It enabled the study of the "Heart-Mind (Consciousness)" by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism to form a complete system. Why could Buddhism exert such immense influence? Because in its investigation of the "Heart-Mind," Buddhism discovered the "the fundamental state of mind", the *Tathagatagarbha* . This discovery allows us to study consciousness at its source, to recognize the essential nature of this world, and to truly understand and master the fundamental laws governing its evolution. Thus, it illuminates the path for the development of all other disciplines.
正因如此，直到今天佛学仍然发挥着极其重要的作用，其它任何学科的发展从某种意义上来说其实都是在诠释佛学，比如，相对论、量子力学等现代科研成果无一不在诠释佛学，它们都是在印证佛学的科学性。由于佛学研究直指源头，因此其它学科都无法脱离佛学范畴，从根本上说它们都属于佛学的应用学科。
Therefore, Buddhism continues to play an indispensable role even today. In a sense, the development of any other discipline is an interpretation of Buddhism. Modern scientific achievements, such as relativity and quantum mechanics, are all interpreting and corroborating the scientific validity of Buddhism. Because Buddhist research points directly to the source, no other discipline can ultimately escape its scope; fundamentally, they all belong to the applied sciences of Buddhism.
基于佛学的深刻性和完整性，思维本体学把自己的理论架构建立在佛学基础上，以佛学为基础融合儒学、道学、心理学、量子力学等诸多学科综合而成。
Based on the profundity and completeness of Buddhism, *the primordial state of mind* constructs its theoretical framework upon the Buddhist foundation, integrating Confucianism, Taoism, psychology, quantum mechanics, and other disciplines.
总之，儒释道三教合一使中国传统文化形成了完整科学的理论体系，产生了影响深远的研究成果，如中医学等。我们要高度重视和深入研究中国传统文化，要加强传统文化的传播工作。
In summary, the synthesis of the Three Teachings forged Chinese traditional culture into a complete and scientific theoretical system, yielding profoundly influential achievements such as Traditional Chinese Medicine. We must attach great importance to and deeply study Chinese traditional culture, and vigorously strengthen its dissemination.