Jin Cheng Cong Cao

Author: Zheng Wen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-11-01
Features: The content of this book reveals the characteristics, foundational knowledge, and intellectual breadth of Master Zheng. Master Zheng believed that scholarship must first establish the three guiding principles of textual criticism, historical context, and geography. Then, around these principles, one must discern truth from falsehood, identify the subject matter, analyze the structure, discuss the evolution, interpret the underlying message, and clarify the main purpose. These principles may sound straightforward, but achieving them is far from easy! Without profound academic foundation and a diligent, patient attitude toward scholarship, reaching Master Zheng's level is nearly impossible. The shortcomings of modern scholars often lie in insufficient textual criticism skills, superficial or distorted interpretations of the original text, limited knowledge of geography and history, lack of cross-referencing between different sources, and empty discussions about ideas. They rush to construct "systems" to gain fame and establish themselves as experts, which is why few achieve true maturity.