Abstract: Wang Yangmings “unity of knowledge and action” is based on the existence of “nothing outside the mind”,while the split of this existence is the reason for the dichotomy of knowledge and action.As far as the essence of knowledge and action is concerned,“knowledge” is the manifestation of conscience as root of all things,and from the perspective of the continuity of mind and matter,the manifestation of conscience also means to be;“action” includes peoples thoughts and behavior,but as they and the presence of all things are one,“action” actually indicates the opening of conscience or to be.Thus,“knowledge” and “action” are both the manifestation of conscience in time,or different aspects of the same being.In terms of knowledge and action as kung fu,“knowledge” means intuiting conscience,and “action” refers to opening or extending conscience.However,with conscience non-existent but inseparable from existence and no distinction between subject and object in the true existence of the continuity of mind and matter,intuiting conscience means obtaining conscience by revealing conscience as a unified existence,so intuiting conscience is opening conscience.In conclusion,“knowledge” and “action” are two aspects of the same kung fu for extending conscience,the practice opening conscience as the true existence,which means to become the existence of the continuity of mind and matter is the nature of knowledge and action.

Key words: Wang Yangming, nothing outside the mind, unity of knowledge and action, conscience, existence