本文旨在探求「研究朱子義理」之方法論，蓋朱子因年歲甚長，一生絕大部分時間皆在從事學術活動，故有關義理著作甚為豐富雜多，於是形成朱子義理之多樣性，跟著造成各詮釋家不同之詮釋風貌，順此便衍生朱子歷史定位難確定之問題。為解決此問題，歷來學者有「晚年宗說」之論；只是學者並未確立其於研究朱子學之重要性，亦未論及所當據之資料及其具體內涵。本文除說明「晚年宗說」在朱子義理研究之必要性外；另謂朱子留世資料中，足以用來探究「晚年宗說」者當為：（一）標明記載年代；（二）年代為朱子六十歲至辭世間；（三）直接論述朱子本身義理；（四）以對答語且以日常詞彙表出者為佳；（五）對答對象若是朱子親信弟子益佳。而能合乎此等條件者，唯《朱子語類》卷113－120之「訓門人」；此八卷便為本論文認為探究朱子「晚年宗說」最恰當資料。至於具體探究「朱子晚年宗說」之內涵，本文以為可依：現況論、價值論、心性論、本體論、功夫論、境界論、外王論等生命實踐學之架構進行。唯本文僅就方法論提出芻議，實際分就各範疇作探究，則俟之他日。

This study aims to probe into the methodology of Chu Hsi doctrine. Since Chu Hsi had a long life and spent most of the time on academic activities, his works on doctrine were rich. Thus, Chu Hsi doctrines were diverse and the interpretations were various, making it difficult to define the historic position of Chu Hsi.In order to solve this problem, the scholars had the discussion of ”Wan Nien Tsung Shuo”; however, they neither validated the importance on study of Chu Hsi, nor suggested the related data and the specific content. This paper presents the importance of ”Wan Nien Tsung Shuo” in Chu Hsi doctrine research, and further suggests the Chu His' works which can be adopted to study ”Wan Nien Tsung Shuo” as follows: (1) those indicating years; (2) the time was from Chu Hsi at 60 years old to his death; (3) those directly discussing Chu Hsi's doctrines; (4) those with questions & responses and daily expression; (5) the subjects of questions & responses were Chu Hsi's disciples. The only qualified work is ”Hsun Men Jen” of ”Chu Hsi Word Category”, Volume 113-120. These eight volumes are the best materials to study Chu Hsi's ”Wan Nien Tsung Shuo”.This paper explores the content of ”Chu Hsi Wan Nien Tsung Shuo” by the framework of life realization, such as current theory, value theory, mind nature theory, ontology, practice theory, state theory, theory of expression of benevolent rule, etc. However, this paper only probes into methodology, and the exploration on the categories will rely on further research.