Once Zhu Xi criticized Lü Zuqian for “being extra careful in the study of histories, but does not pay much attention to the classics.” Based upon this observation, this dissertation seeks to examine how Lü Zuqian approached and studied the Confucian classics, such as the Book of Change, the Book of Documents, the Book of Odes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals. This research shall focus on how Lü defines and characterizes the difference between the classics and histories while he engaged in the interpretation of these texts, and how he applies his knowledge of history into the study of classics. Moreover, due to Zhu Xi’s disapproval, Lü Zuqian’s scholarship was often overlooked by his posterity. Thus, this dissertation shall dwell into the differences between Zhu and Lü on how they analyze the Confucian classics, and further highlight their different approaches to scholarship.
Drawing inspirations from Cheng Yi, Lü Zuqian developed his own interpretation of the Book of Changes. Lü presided over the publication of Cheng Yi’s Yi chuan (Commentary on the Book of Changes) twice, and his own work resonates with Cheng Yi’s understanding of the Book of Changes – from the judgment of the trigrams and each component lines, to his comprehension of the philosophy of principle (lixue), to how he integrates history into the interpretation of the Book of Changes, he follows Cheng Yi’s approach in all these aspects. Zhu Xi did not agree with Cheng Yi who seeks to use the Book of Changes to illuminate on interpersonal affairs. This explains why Zhu and Lü, though both inherited Cheng Yi’s ideas, advanced in different directions. In addition, Lü Zuqian had participated in the restoration of the ancient version of the Book of Changes. The Gu Zhouyi (Ancient Text of the Book of Changes) Lü compiled later became the foundation of Zhu Xi’s Zhouyi benyi (The Original Meaning of the Book of Changes), which had a profound impact on later generations. This dissertation shall provide a survey of the textual materials surrounding Lü’s compilation, clarifies certain misunderstandings in the existing scholarship, and examines why Zhu Xi would adopt Lü’s work as his base text.
Second, through examining the compilation, circulation, bibliographical details and philosophical inclinations of Donglai boyi (Erudite Discussions at Donglai), this dissertation contends that the ideas presented in Zengxiu Donglai boyi (A Revised Version of the Erudite Discussions at Donglai) are generally compatible to Lü Zuqian’s school of thought, even though the current edition of the text has been supplemented by Lü’s student Shi Lan. This dissertation will also delve into Donglai Shushuo (Donglai’s Explication of the Book of Documents) and extrapolate Lü Zuqian’s views on the changes happening in the three historic dynasties of Xia, Shang and Zhou, as well as his views on the virtues of the sages. This dissertation will also illustrate how Lü defends the Duke of Zhou in the heated controversy over the Duke’s decision to act as regent.
Third, this dissertation explores how Lü Zuqian understands the poems in the Book of Odes by a close analysis of his Lüshi jiashu dushi ji (Reading Notes from the School of the Lü Family on the Book of Odes) and his debates with Zhu Xi. Lü and Zhu differ on issues concerning with the Preface to the Book of Odes, Confucius’ discussion on “not letting one’s thought deviate toward the inappropriate,” and whether the Book of Odes can be used in court rituals and sacrificial ceremonies. Ultimately, their disagreement stems from their varied identification of “debauched odes.”
Fourth, Lü Zuqian had a strong preference for the Zuo Tradition when he studied the Spring and Autumn Annals. Thus, this dissertation shall first elucidate Lü’s understanding of the relationship between the Annals and its commentaries by discussing how he situates the Zuo Tradition, as well as how he comprehends the affiliation between Confucius and this commentarial tradition. Furthermore, this dissertation will then turn to Lü’s analysis of the Annals by investigating his views of the heavenly principles and human desires, his ethical reasoning, his judgment of the distinctions between kingship and hegemony, as well as his interpretation of the Sino-barbarian cultural differences. This dissertation will also shed light on Lü Zuqian’s historiographical thoughts by examining how he analyzes the Zuo Tradition.
Based on the above research, this dissertation concludes by re-evaluating Zhu Xi’s criticism of Lü Zuqian for being too invested in the study of history and dismissed the learning of classics. This dissertation argues that: although Lü considered both the Book of Documents and the Book of Odes as historical records, Lü attached relatively more importance to the preface of both classics and their relations with Confucius. Unlike Zhu Xi, he had no doubt on the authorship of these prefaces. Lü’s persistence and conservatism, in fact, demonstrates his eagerness to protect the authority of the classics. Zhu Xi’s dissatisfaction with Lü Zuqian is hence a perfect illustration of their difference in choices between philosophy and history, and the tension between innovation and conservation.