Zhu Note "university" Original Meaning

Zhu Xi ever said he had spent his whole life in studying the Great Learning , just as Sima Guang compiled ZiZhi TongJian. Zhu Xi's theory is closely connected with this book. Zhu Xi admired the Cheng brothers, Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi. They both influenced the Great Learning's philosophies. Their ideas met with strong official opposition, but were reconstituted by Zhu Xi. Zhu Xi rearranged and recommended on the Great Learning, and especially he added his epistemology ("investigation of things") to the original. According to his system, li is referred to the human soul, mind, or the supreme creative principle and it works its way out in a person. In this thesis, I want to show Zhu Xi's philosophy by way of interpreting the Great Learning annotated by Zhu Xi, and find a way of communication between li and Li.There are two chapters. In Chapter 1, I try to explain Zhu Xi's the Great Learning, which contained"realization of li","rectification of hearts","cultivation of persons"and"regulation of families and states"that are in turn. Of course, logically,"investigation of things"is considered as the starting point of the way of the great learning. Meanwhile,"investigation of things"and"extension of knowledge"are indivisible. Before getting into the great learning, a person should enter the litte learning, where he forms his habit, which means one holds in awe and veneration. This habit is very important for any Confucius'student. When one achieves peace of mind, he reaches the condition of"Cheng"and his thought is pure and sincere. Then, his heart is rectified and his person is cultivated. In a word, investigating the matter that surrounds oneself causes a fuller understanding of the entirety of the cosmos. Also, it will cause a further understanding of relationships and the daily affairs of life. All of this is to achieve moral action and behavior. Furthermore, it is to bring balance and harmony and a degree of governance to certain aspects of one's life including family and state. This is the way of the great learning.In Chapter 2, I analyse the relation of li(principle) and Li(Rites). Zhu Xi maintained that all things are brought into being by the union of two universal aspects of reality: li(principle) and qi(material). In opinion of the confucianists, li and qi are relevant to Dao and qi(practice or rules). The four categories make up Zhu Xi's Neo-Confucianism system. As is known to all, the feature of Chinese philosophy is considered that axiology gets in touch with ontology. Meanwhile, Li literally means"rites"but it can be used to refer to"ceremonial"or"rules of conduct". The term has come to generally be associated with"good form"or"decorum". The absolute power of Li is displayed in the Record of Rites:"Of all things to which the people owe their lives the rites are the most important."The ideas of Li become closely associated with human nature, ethics and social order as the population integrated into their lives. Li is beneficial to society because it forces people to recognize and fulfill their responsibilites toward others. Therefore, Li contains li. The way of Li also lies in the way of the great learning, including manifesting virtue, renovating the people, and abiding by the highest good.