Zhu Xi (Neo-Confucian)

Type Figure Region Southern Song Time 1130–1200 Also known as Master Zhu、Hui'an、Yuanhui

Zhu Xi (1130–1200) was a Southern Song Neo-Confucian philosopher and educator, courtesy name Yuanhui, sobriquet Hui'an, from Youxi, Fujian.

Timeline

1130–1175Youxi · Youxi CountyFrom Youxi, he studied under Li Tong and mastered Cheng–Zhu Neo-Confucianism. He passed the jinshi examination in 1148, later gathering disciples to teach, and from the 1140s gradually constructed a Neo-Confucian system centered on investigating things and extending knowledge. In 1175 he debated with Lu Jiuyuan at the Ehu meeting in Yanshan, illuminating the differences and similarities between the Principle and Mind schools.
1176–1196Zhangzhou · ZhangzhouIn 1189 he became prefect of Zhangzhou, building waterworks, reforming customs, and printing the Collected Commentaries on the Four Books and other works. After the Shaoxi inner abdication in 1194 he requested an outer post, serving as prefect of Tanzhou from 1194 to 1196, implementing the land-boundary system while gathering disciples to teach at Kaoting, with students throughout the southeast.
1197–1200Kaoting · Jianyang CountyIn 1198 Han Tuozhou launched the Qingyuan proscription, denouncing Zhu Xi's learning as false learning and stripping him of office and temple privileges. In 1199 further charges were fabricated against him, though disciples continued to study in secret. He died at Kaoting in 1200, posthumously named Wenzhong, and later generations honored him as Master Zhu.