An In-depth Interpretation of Mencius' 'The Trees of Ox Mountain' Chapter: The Core of Innate Goodness and Cultivation of Mind and Nature
This paper takes the "The Trees of Ox Mountain" chapter from Mencius' "Gaozi" as its core text, integrating it with pre-Qin philosophical literature to deeply analyze the argumentative structure of innate human goodness, the mechanisms by which external environments harm the mind and nature, and the philosophical foundations and cultivation practices of the theory of innate goodness.
Chapter 28: Relevant Discourses in the Lüshi Chunqiu
The Lüshi Chunqiu (The Spring and Autumn Annals of Master Lü), compiled on the eve of the Qin unification, synthesizes various schools of thought. It discusses human nature and cultivation in several places, which can be cross-referenced with the "Wood of Ox Mountain" chapter.
The Lüshi Chunqiu (Benxing chapter) states:
"Human nature is good, just as water tends to flow downward. Everyone possesses a good heart and a good will. Evil arises afterward."
This unequivocally asserts the goodness of nature, using water's downward tendency as an analogy—completely consistent with Mencius in Gaozi II. "Evil arises afterward" is the best summary of the "Wood of Ox Mountain" chapter—evil (un-goodness) is not innate nature but something that arises subsequently.
The Lüshi Chunqiu (Xian Ji chapter) states:
"In all matters, the foundation must first be the rectification of the self; when the self is completed, the world will be completed."
"First rectify the self" (Xian zhi shen)—Cultivate oneself first. This aligns with the spirit of Mencius's "If held, it exists."
The Lüshi Chunqiu (Gui Sheng chapter) states:
"The Sage deeply ponders the world, and nothing is more precious than life."
"Nothing is more precious than life" (Mo gui yu sheng)—This resonates with Mencius's idea, "If they obtain nurture, nothing will fail to grow"—the ultimate purpose of "Yang" (nurture) is to preserve and develop life.