Zhu Xi -- the Fujian Philosopher who Transformed S.E. Asia

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Zhuxi -- The Fujian Philosopher who Transformed S.A. Asia!
Tong'an Links Tong'an Main PageSu Song--Tong'an's Renaissance Man Tong'an Museum Matang Village--Xiamen's #1 Village Philosopher Zhuxi
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Wuyi Mountain (Zhuxi spent years there)

Zhuxi (1130–1200), whose reinterpretation of Confucius (neo-Confucianism) transformed most of S.E. Asia, was born October 18, 1130 in Fujian Province's Youxi and educated by his father, a local official. Zhuxi probably had more influence on China than anyone but Confucius because his "Four Books" (the teachings of Confucius and his disciple Mencius, with Zhuxi's commentaries) was China's primary text for primary education and civil service exams for centuries.

Zhuxi passed the highest civil service exam at age 18 when the average age was 35--and some continued to retake the exams into their 70s or 80s before succeeding or passing on without passing the test. Over the centuries Confucianism had lost ground to Daoism and Buddhism, so the Neo-Confucians adapted Confucian principles to tackle the fundamental nature of reality. Zhuxi visited Li Tong, one of the foremost Neo_Confucians, and when he was 30 he several months studying under Li Tong, at which time he turned to Confucianism.

Zhuxi's first official position was as registrar in the Fujian town of Tong'an. He reformed local tax and criminal systems, improved the local school, and created a formal code of conduct and ritual. Tong'an was the last official appointment that Zhu Xi accepted until 1179 because he did not care for politicking, preferring the life of a teacher and scholar. But even as a scholar he continued to present memorials to the emperor to make his views known. It was just as well that he left politics. His outspoken and uncompromising criticism destroyed any chance he'd have had of rapid advancemen. For example, he repeatedly emphasized that if the Emperor wanted moral transformation of China, he needed to first transform his own morals. Zhu Xi was eventually barred from political activity, and when he died April 23, 1200, he was still in political disgrace, though his reputation was restored soon after his death (when, of course, he was no longer a threat).

In 1241, Zhu Xi was posthumously honored by a tablet placed in the Confucian Temple. The Korean Yi Dynasty (1392–1910) chose Zhu Xi's Neo-Confucianism as the state ideology, and the Japanese also adhered to his teachings during the Tokugawa period (1603–1867).

For more info about Zhu Xi, visit Wuyi Mountain, where he spent many years.

Tong'an Links Tong'an Main PageSu Song--Tong'an's Renaissance Man Tong'an Museum Matang Village--Xiamen's #1 Village Philosopher Zhuxi
Fujian Firewalkers Confucius & Confusionism Parks & Attractions
Wuyi Mountain (Zhuxi spent years there)

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