The Religious Thought Of Chu Hsi

Recognized as one of the greatest philosophers in classical China, Chu Hsi (1130-1200) is known in the West through translations of one of his many works, the Chin-ssu Lu. This study offers an examination of Chu Hsi's religious thought, based on readings of both primary and secondary sources.

"A major transformation in thought took place during the Southern Sung (1127-1279). A new version of Confucian teaching, Tao-hsueh Confucianism (what modern scholars sometimes refer to as Neo-Confucianism), became state orthodoxy, a privileged status which it retained until the twentieth century." "Existing studies of the new Confucianism generally depict a single line of development to and from Chu Hsi (1130-1200), the greatest theoretician of the tradition. In this study of unprecedented scope, however, Hoyt Cleveland Tillman offers an integrated intellectual history of the development of Tao-hsueh Confucianism which for the first time places Chu Hsi within the context of his contemporaries. Tillman's methodological strategy allows a rich, complex picture of the Tao-hsueh movement to emerge - one that is sure to transform the field of Sung Confucianism." "To reconstruct the evolution of the Tao-hsueh group, Tillman studies a number of Confucians from four distinct periods, reflecting the basic diversity that existed among them. His discussion is deeply grounded in political and philosophical history and in research on the social networks that joined the members of the Tao-hsueh group. Within this framework, he provides a vivid account of the changing scope of the movement, tracing its development into a "fellowship" and at times a political faction and demonstrating its movement from diversity to gradually increasing exclusiveness, particularly under the influence of Chu Hsi. Close attention is given to confrontational writings and debates within the group, which covered such issues as humaneness, the function of the mind, uses of the Book of Changes, social welfare programs, teaching methods, expediency, and the grounds for knowledge and authority." "A superbly erudite work, Confucian Discourse and Chu Hsi's Ascendancy is an invaluable contribution to the study of the history of Confucian thought in China."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Recognized as one of the greatest philosophers in classical China, Chu Hsi (1130-1200) is known in the West primarily through translations of one of his many works, the Chin-ssu Lu. In this book, Julia Ching offers the first book-length examination of Chu Hsi's religious thought, based on extensive reading of both primary and secondary sources. Ching begins by providing an introduction to Chu's twelfth-century intellectual context. She then examines Chu's natural philosophy, looking in particular at the ideas of the Great Ultimate and at spirits and deities and the rituals that honor them. Next, Ching considers Chu's interpretation of human nature and the emotions, highlighting the mystical thrust of the theoretical and practical teachings of spiritual cultivation and meditation. She discusses Chu's philosophical disputes with his contemporariesin particular Lu Chiu-yuanand examines his relationship to Buddhism and Taoism. In the final chapters, Ching looks at critiques of Chu during his lifetime and after and evaluates the relevance of his thinking in terms of contemporary needs and problems. This clearly written and highly accessible study also offers translations of some of Chu's most important philosophical poems, filling a major gap in the fields of both Chinese philosophy and religion.

Dr. Yong Choon Kim is a distinguished scholar and educator. He wrote this book to fill the need for a concise introduction to the philosophical and religious ideas of the East. The work is analytical, comparative, and critical presentation in three parts: Indian Thougt, Chinese Thought, abd the Thoughts of Korea and Japan. It can serve for such courses as Oriental Philosophy, Eastern Religions, World Religions, Comparative Religion, and Comparative Thought. It may also be used in other introductory courses in Religion, Philosophy, and Asian Culture. The book should be very useful to the general reader interested in Oriental Thought and culture.

This compact volume shows how the Four Books -- the Greater Learning, the Analects, the Mencius, and the Doctrine of the Mean -- have been read and understood by the Chinese since the twelfth century. Included are selected passages in translation, accompanied by Daniel Gardner's comments and the selected commentary of Zhu Xi (1130-1200), the renowned Neo-Confucian thinker. The book provides an introduction to the later imperial Confucian tradition; introduces the reader to Zhu Xi's commentarial understanding of the Four Books; suggests how Neo-Confucians, like Zhu Xi, through commentary, gave coherence and meaning to the Four Books collectively; and illustrates the nature of the standard educational curriculum.