An Interpretation and Influence of Filial Piety in Zhu Xi's Annotations of the “Four Books”
abstract
Study of the "Four Books" is the most important part of Zhu Xi's system of scholarship. Zhu Xi first proposed the names of the "Four Books" and devoted his life to research and inquiry of these books. He compiled the Analects of Confucius, Mencius, University, and Doctrine of the Mean and built up the Taoist system of the "Four Books". Gradually, he established the theoretical system as well. Zhu Xi's life is a classic interpretation of his career, and his “Four Books” and Chapters Collection Notes shows that he is a master of the Song and Sinology. He elevated the status of the "Four Books", replacing the "Five Classics" as the core of Confucian classics and then established the grand and subtle system of Confucianism.
"Four Books" and Chapters Collection Notes is the masterpiece of Zhu Xi's life. Later generations of scholars have praised its content because of its precision and meticulousness. Its aim was to exert the heart of the saints, which was the actual purpose of Five Classics, and Ming Lun’s guiding principles. However, the reason this book is important for future generations is because of the Imperial Examination of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Looking at Zhu Xi's comments, it is more emphasized on philosophy and various factions. The research results of the “Four Books” system are gathered in the University Chapters, Analects of Confucius, Analects of Meng Zi, and Zhongyong Collection Notes; Zhu Xi's compilation of Confucian history into these "Four Books" provided new opportunities for the inheritance and development, which made these books the mainstream of the study of Confucianism in the Southern Song dynasty.
Zhu Xi was a student of Cheng Hao and Cheng Wei's third generation disciple Li Dong. Zhu Xi was a teacher of the two-way theory. He believed that everything in the universe is composed of philosophy and qi. The two-way argumentation of filial piety is accomplished through ren. Zhu Xi also believed that filial piety is the difference of philosophy, and he proved the legitimacy of filial piety through the theory of heaven; Zhu Xi's "Four Books" and Chapters Collection Notes on the interpretation and practice of filial piety inherits and develops the concepts of sincerity, timidity, and the hidden thoughts of the father and son. Moreover, regarding the relationship between ren and xiao , according to the inherited idea of Cheng Yi, Benevolence is the foundation of filial piety. Zhu Xi demonstrated that filial piety is the foundation of ritual, righteousness, and wisdom for the Junzi. Under this influence, his disciples and later-studies also examined, interpreted, and disseminated filial piety, which had an important impact on later generations’ writings on filial piety.
This thesis attempts to understand the interpretation of filial piety in the “Four Books” by Zhu Xi’s pre- and post-Confucian sages. It also analyzes the context and meaning of Zhu Xi's interpretation of filial piety in “Four Books” and Chapters Collection Notes. With the value provided by this analysis and a discussion on contemporary filial piety, I hope that the current society’s concept of filial piety will gradually improve.
Keywords：Zhu Xi、"Four Books"、"Four Books"and Chapters Collection Notes、
filial piety、Confucianism