顏山農(1504-1596)「化儒學為宗教」的思想傾向之理論根據在於他的「七日閉關法」。「七日閉關法」作為宋明理學中「靜坐」工夫的獨特形態，不單塑造了顏山農的儒學思想，更在他使用「七日閉關法」為工夫教法中，把其所得的「天機先啟，孔昭煥發」之神秘體驗作為「執體以應用」的為學取向。如此，顏山農在「七日閉關法」中的悟道與證道體驗遂成就了他具有「化儒學為宗教」思想傾向的獨特定位。從宋明理學「靜坐」工夫傳統看，顏山農的「七日閉關法」是「靜坐」工夫有取於二氏的過渡型態；從「三教合一」思想的發展看，顏山農雖有取於二氏的「宗教形式」卻有別於後來林兆恩(1517-1598)的三一教。

Yan Shannong's 顏山農 religious conception of Confucianism was based on his method of ＂shutting oneself in for seven days＂ (qiri biguan fa 七日閉關法). This method not only shaped Yan's view of Confucianism, but it also informed his teaching and his description of mystical experience as zhiti yi yingyong 執體以應用. Yan's theory of enlightenment and his personal preaching experience endowed him with a unique position in the Taizhou 泰州 school. From the perspective of Neo- Confucianism's meditative practice and syncretic development, it is apparent that Yan's method of ＂shutting oneself in for seven days＂ had a special meaning.