Rujiao Zhengmai (Wang Shouren's Biography)

Author: Qian Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: Wang Shouren, styled Bo'an, styled Yangming, known as Yangming Master, was born in Yuyao, Zhejiang. His father, Wang Hua, became a top scholar in the 17th year of the Chenghua era (1481), and Wang Shouren followed his father to move to Shaoxing and also visited Beijing. Wang Shouren was the great synthesizer of subjective idealism during China's Song and Ming dynasties. He developed the teachings of Lu Jiuzhou to oppose the Cheng-Zhu school. He attracted numerous disciples from all over the country. After his death, "Wang Xue" (Wang's School) branched into several schools, but all shared the same origin, each with its own strengths. His philosophical ideas spread far and wide, particularly having a significant impact on Japanese academia. Wang Shouren was not only a philosopher and educator but also a renowned poet. He wrote extensively throughout his life. After his death, his disciples compiled the Complete Works of Wang Wencheng Gong in 38 volumes, with the most important philosophical works being the Record of Transmission and Practice and the Inquiry into the Great Learning.
Zhejiang, a land not vast but profound, has nurtured many cultural luminaries: Wang Xizhi, Xie Lingyun, Luo Binwang, Meng Jiao, Han Shan, Zhao Mengfu, Huang Gongwang, Wang Meng, Mao Dun, Xia Yan, Yu Dafu, Zhu Kezhen, Tong Dizhou. They devoted their talents to the inheritance and innovation of culture, achieving great accomplishments.
The "Biographies of Zhejiang Cultural Figures" series is a cultural project launched by the Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences in response to the call of the provincial party committee and government, introducing 100 biographies of ancient and modern Zhejiang-based cultural figures. This book is one of the series, introducing the orthodox Confucian scholar—Wang Shouren.