This paper aims to explain Tasan`s understanding of the Doctrine of Mean in terms of sincerity(誠). Tasan explicates both `knowing Heaven(知天).“ and `serving Heaven(事天)” in terms of sincerity. Because Heaven is identical with the Supreme Emperor (上帝, shangti) and perfectly sincere, the Supreme Emperor reveals itself all the time ; thus, it is easy for people to recognize Heaven. Human being`s sincerity is identical with `watchful over`s mind that he only knows(愼擉)“ that can be interpreted as human effort to follow the command of Supreme Emperor, and `watchful over one`s mind that he only knows` is nothing but `serving Heaven.` `Serving Heaven` as `watchful over one`s mind that he only knows` is conducted in the realm of human relationship. Cultivating Human Way through `watchful over one`s mind that he only knows` leads to achiving the qualities of Mean and Harmony, which in turn leads one to becoming a sage who is able to practice the Mean constantly. In this state one`s learning is also accomplished. In this way Tasan makes the connection between religious life and ethical life in his philosophy of sincerity. Tasan`s deep interest in religious life is influenced by Catholicism. Based on his Confucian conviction that the proper way of humankind is to live a humane life, Tasan provides the framework within which religion and ethics can be understood as being inseparable one.
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