Zhang Juzheng comments on "Mencius": Up and Down Imperial Readings

Author: Chen Shengxi et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Known as "Renowned Scholars Teaching National Classics," The Commentaries on the Imperial Readings by Zhang Juzheng is a lecture series by Zhang Juzheng, the Chief Minister (Prime Minister) of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty, and the scholars of the Hanlin Academy, which was used to teach the "Four Books" to the Wanli Emperor. It includes five texts: The Analects of Confucius, The Great Learning, The Doctrine of the Mean, Mencius, and The Book of Documents. The original text was written in colloquial vernacular Chinese of the Ming Dynasty. In addition to adding modern punctuation to the entire text, the compilers and annotators also provided annotations and translations, making it more accessible and easy to understand. At the same time, this series incorporates the lessons from historical rise and fall summarized by the great statesman Zhang Juzheng and others, as well as their reformist ideas. It also offers many unique insights into major historical issues. It can help readers understand the educational practices of the imperial court at the time and is also valuable for improving leadership skills in national administration. This book primarily focuses on commenting on Mencius, a work by Mencius. There are seven chapters of Mencius passed down through the ages, one of the Confucian classics. Mencius was a disciple of Zisi and inherited and developed the thoughts of Confucius, becoming the second most revered Confucian master after Confucius, known as the "Second Sage." He is often referred to alongside Confucius as "Confucius and Mencius."