The chronological record of academic activities in the Ming Dynasty intellectual circles, 1522-1602

Author: Wu Zhen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-09-01
Features: This book is written in the form of a "timeline," focusing on revealing the organizational and developmental forms of the lecture movement, and emphasizes the examination of the intellectual background and philosophy of the lecture activities. In the year Dinghai, the master was thirty-seven years old and promoted to the position of Nanjing Chief of the Department of Guests and Scholars. (Page 1426) The "Preface to the Collection of Master Lü Jingye" in Volume 16 of the "Collected Works of Master Lü Jingye" records: For three years, I have been with Master Dongkuo Zou in Nanjing. Due to the distance between our residences, we could not meet often. However, whenever we met, we would engage in lectures, and each would insist on their own views, with about twelve or thirteen points of disagreement. At our first meeting at my residence, Dongkuo said, "Action is knowledge; just as if you do not reach the top of a tower, you will not see the objects on it." I replied, "If you do not see the staircase, how can you take steps to reach the top?" Dongkuo did not agree with this either. Later, while walking to the Imperial Academy in the snow, we had already passed the north of Chang'an Street. Dongkuo said, "How can one know the Imperial Academy without action?" I pointed to the hill ahead and said, "If these people do not first know the path to the Imperial Academy to lead the horses, how can my son and I go out of Jubaoguo Gate?" From then on, our discussions often followed this pattern. (Page 1-2)
According to the "Biography of Lord Wenzhuang" in Volume 3 of the "Collected Works of Master Zou Jusuo," at that time, Dongkuo Zou met with Zhan Ganquan, Lü Jingye, and others daily, and his disciples came daily. In Nanjing, he lived with Master Zhan Ruoyu and Lü Nanyang, and his disciples also came daily. Some criticized him, saying, "My brother does not enjoy learning, yet he speaks of Yao and acts like Jie." The lord replied, "Perhaps there are such cases, but is the world without those who speak of Yao but act like Jie? However, there are none who speak of Jie but act like Yao." The person was deeply moved and regretted it, and the next day also came to seek learning. (Page 324 top)
○ When Zhan Ganquan went north, he passed through Weiyang. His disciple Ge Jian built a temporary residence for Ganquan. Lü Jingye's "Record of Ganquan's Temporary Residence": The Ganquan Temporary Residence is the place where the present Vice Censor-in-Chief Ganquan Master Zhan Gong passed. In the Dinghai year of the Jiajing era, the master went north as the Chief Examiner of Education. He passed through Weiyang (Note: Sometimes written as "Weiyang," which is now Yangzhou). Fifty of his disciples arrived unexpectedly, and after staying for one day, dozens more came to pay their respects with gifts. The master enjoyed this and had a desire to stay. As the carriage was about to depart, Ge Jian requested to establish a meeting agreement for fellow disciples, and more people joined. Jian then planned to select a location one mile east of the city, following the veins of Ganquan Mountain, and built a temporary residence. He said, "This can honor the like-minded scholars and discuss the master's teachings." Yangzhou once had Ganquan Mountain, from which the hills of Shugang and others branched out.