Witness Realm: The Purpose of Liu Zongzhou's Philosophy

Author: Li Zengang
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Features: This book is a revised and expanded version based on Professor Zengang's doctoral dissertation. He harmonizes the past and present, integrates Eastern and Western thought, demonstrates profound insight, and presents numerous innovative perspectives. The book enters into the academic context of the late Ming Dynasty, where the decline of Zhu Xue and the transformation of Wang Xue were taking place. When in the imperial court, Ji Shan proposed the way of benevolence; when retired to the countryside, he cultivated the Confucian classics to save the world and its people. The book interprets his intellectual journey, spiritual characteristics, and logical structure from this background. It explores the harmonious integration and mutual verification of the mind-body and nature-soul, the fusion of temperament with principle, the establishment of the moral mind, and the interconnectedness of mind, will, knowledge, and perception. Ji Shan demonstrates how the mind manifests the nature, stabilizing the subjective mind and realizing the metaphysical nature. Through the unity of essence and practice, self-examination and sincerity, quiet contemplation and active observation, he achieves the integration of principle and matter, the unity of the Dao and the vessel, the moral mind and the human mind, rationality and temperament, nature and manifestation, and ultimately reaches the state of harmonious mind and nature, embodying the sage. In this book, his approach, presentation, integration, logic, and structure differ from contemporary works. His interpretation, understanding, and insights are also unique and exquisite.