Zhu Xi

18 October 1130 – 23 April 1200

Zhu Xi (1130-1200) was a Song dynasty philosopher, historian, and official who became the most influential Neo-Confucian thinker in Chinese history. His synthesis of Confucian thought and his commentaries on the Four Books later became the orthodox basis of the imperial civil service examinations for some six centuries.

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Life events

Born in Youxi, Fujian
18 October 1130

Zhu Xi was born in Youxi county, Fujian, where his father Zhu Song was serving as a local official.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Passed the jinshi imperial examination at age 18
1148

Zhu Xi earned the jinshi degree unusually young, though he spent most of his life in scholarship rather than high office.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Studied under the Neo-Confucian master Li Tong
c. 1160

Zhu Xi became a disciple of Li Tong, an heir to the Cheng brothers' school, which decisively shaped his commitment to Confucian learning.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Compiled Reflections on Things at Hand (Jinsilu) with Lu Zuqian
1175

Together with Lu Zuqian, Zhu Xi compiled an influential anthology of Northern Song Neo-Confucian writings as a primer for students.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Debated Lu Jiuyuan at the Goose Lake Temple meeting
1175

At the famous Goose Lake debate, Zhu Xi and Lu Jiuyuan argued over method in self-cultivation, defining a lasting divide in Neo-Confucian thought.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Revived the White Deer Grotto Academy
1179

While serving as prefect of Nankang, Zhu Xi rebuilt the White Deer Grotto Academy and drew up its influential articles of learning.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published his collected commentaries on the Four Books
c. 1190

Zhu Xi's commentaries on the Analects, Mencius, Great Learning, and Doctrine of the Mean established the Four Books as the core Confucian curriculum.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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His teachings proscribed as 'false learning' in a political purge
1196

During the political ascendancy of Han Tuozhou, Zhu Xi's school was condemned as spurious learning and he was stripped of his positions.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Jianyang, Fujian, still under official proscription
23 April 1200

Zhu Xi died while the ban on his teachings remained in force; his thought was rehabilitated and canonized in the following decades.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓