A Study of the Song Thinker Zhang Jiucheng

Abstract

<p>The primary purpose of this t he s is is to undertake a preliminary assessment of the Song thinker Zhang Jiucheng.</p> <p>Zhang was an important and controversial figure in Song thought. He was one of the few early Song thinkers who systematically commented on all the major Confucian Classics; he was also an advocate for the teaching of "Mind is Principle" and was deeply involved i n the Neo-Confucian movement reconciliating Chan Buddhist philosophy with the Confucian tradition.</p> <p>The task for this thesis is t o take a full-scale discussion of Zhang. I will study on the major aspects of Zhang including his biography, his teachers, and the characteristics of his philosophy respectively, and will make a clarification of some of the previous confusions and misrepresentat ions.</p> <p>This t hesis does not aim at drawing a final conclusion on Zhang, nor does it intend to solve all the disagreements about his teaching among scholars. By giving a preliminary introduction to and discussion of Zhang, this thesis functions only as a starting point for further study of Zhang's teaching and his role i n the development of the Song Neo-Confucianism.</p>