Zhu Xi: Basic Teachings

Zhu Xi was a Confucian thinker during the Song dynasty who believed that the tradition needed to be revived to restore China's greatness. This book presents his teachings, which were influential in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. It includes selections from his conversations with disciples, translated in a conversational style.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The renowned Confucian scholar Zhu Xi, who lived from 1130 to 1200, held a pivotal position during the Song dynasty (960–1279). His profound teachings had a lasting impact on China, shaping its educational system for centuries after his death. Beyond China, Zhu's ideas resonated with elites in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, who embraced his inspired and authoritative synthesis of Confucian thought.

In Zhu's assessment, China faced a dire situation as its once-great Way of life was threatened by external adversaries and internal moral decline. He believed it was his mission to revive the Confucian tradition, which he saw as the source of China's greatness, and ensure its transmission to future generations. To accomplish this, Zhu drew upon the entirety of the Confucian heritage, encompassing the sacred texts of ancient sages and the more recent writings of renowned thinkers from the tenth and eleventh centuries.

This book serves as a comprehensive introduction to Zhu Xi's innovative philosophical system, known as the "Neo-Confucian" school. It offers selections from the Classified Conversations of Master Zhu, a lengthy collection of Zhu's conversations with his disciples. Through these texts, Zhu Xi delves into the Confucian teachings of the past, revising and refining his understanding of them, and ultimately shaping them into a coherent and comprehensive system of thought.

Daniel K. Gardner's translation of these discussions and sayings adopts a conversational style that makes Zhu's ideas accessible to both new and advanced readers. By presenting Zhu's thoughts in a relatable manner, this translation facilitates a deeper understanding of his contributions to Chinese philosophy and his enduring influence on the world.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 141 x 215 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231206334