Feb 19, 2011 © Ulrich Theobald
Zhuzi yulei 朱子語類 "Thematic discourses of Master Zhu", also called Zhuzi yulu 朱子語錄 or Zhuzi yulei daquan 朱子語類大全, is a collection of discussions between the eminent Neo-Confucian philosopher Zhu Xi 朱熹 (1130-1200) from the Southern Song period 南宋 (1127-1279) and his disciples. It is an imitation of the "Confucian Analects" Lunyu 論語. The 140-juan-long book was compiled by Li Jingde 黎靖德 (fl. 1270). The texts itself were written down by Zhu Xi's disciples after the Master's passing away.
In 1215, Li Daochuan 李道傳 (jinshi degree 1196) collected the notes of 33 different persons and printed them in Chizhou 池州 (in today's Anhui province), with the title Chilu 池錄 "Records from Chizhou". In 1238, his younger brother Li Xingchuan 李性傳 (1174-1255) published a further collection of 42 texts in Raozhou 饒州 (in today's Jiangxi province), the so-called Raolu 饒錄 "Records from Raozhou". A third collection, Jianlu 建錄 "Records from Jian'an", was published by Wu Jian 吳堅 in the mid-1260s in Jian'an 建安 (today's Jiande 建德, Zhejiang), including the texts of 33 persons. This collection was divided according to themes into so-called yulei 語類 "thematic discourses". In 1219, Huang Shiyi 黃士毅 published the so-called Sichuan version (Shuben 蜀本), and in 1252, Wang Bi 王佖 published one in Huizhou, the so-called Anhui version (Huiben 徽本). Li Jingde united these collections, polished the text, eliminated redundancies, and published them as one book in 1270, covering 26 themes.
Studies, excerpts and reorganisations on the book were written by Wang Yue 王鉞 (jinshi degree 1659; Zhuzi yulei zuan 朱子語類纂), Yan Yuan 顏元 (1635-1704; Zhuzu yulei ping 朱子語類評), Zhang Lüxiang 張履祥 (1611-1674) and Lü Liuliang 呂留良 (1629-1683; Sishu Zhuzi yulei zhaichao 四書朱子語類摘抄), Zhou Zaiyan 周在延 (Zhuzi sishu yulei 朱子四書語類) and Cheng Chuan 程川 (Zhuzi wujing yulei 朱子五經語類).
The Zhuzi yulei is an important source for the study of Zhu Xi's philosophical thinking. The book was published in different versions, many of which differ from each other. The earliest print dates from the Xianchun reign-period 咸淳 (1265-1274). In 1473, Chen Wei 陳煒 published a further print. The Zhuzi yulei is included in the series Liushi zhuanjingtang congshu 劉氏傳經堂叢書 and Siku quanshu 四庫全書.
Table 1. Contents of the Zhuzi yulei 朱子語類
| 1. |
理氣 |
Liqi |
On universal order and material substance |
| 2. |
鬼神 |
Guishen |
On ghosts and spirits |
| 3. |
性理 |
Xingli |
On the universal order in the human character |
| 4. |
學 |
Xue |
On learning |
| 5. |
大學 |
Daxue |
On the Great Learning |
| 6. |
論語 |
Lunyu |
On the Confucian Analects |
| 7. |
孟子 |
Mengzi |
On the Master Meng |
| 8. |
中庸 |
Zhongyong |
On the Doctrine of the Mean |
| 9. |
易 |
Yi |
On the Book of Changes |
| 10. |
書 |
Shu |
On the Book of Documents |
| 11. |
詩 |
Shi |
On the Book of Songs |
| 12. |
孝經 |
Xiaojing |
On the Book of Filial Piety |
| 13. |
春秋 |
Chunqiu |
On the Spring and Autumn Annals |
| 14. |
禮 |
Li |
On the ritual books |
| 15. |
樂 |
Yue |
On music |
| 16. |
孔孟周程張邵朱子 |
Kong, Meng, Zhou, Cheng, Zhang, Shao, Zhuzi |
Confucius, Mengzi, Zhou Dunyi, the brothers Cheng, Zhang Zai, Shao Yong and Zhu Xi |
| 17. |
呂伯恭 |
Lü Bogong |
Lü Bogong |
| 18. |
陳葉 |
Chen Ye |
Chen Ye |
| 19. |
陸氏 |
Lushi |
Master Lu |
| 20. |
老氏 |
Laoshi |
On Daoism |
| 21. |
釋氏 |
Shishi |
On Buddhism |
| 22. |
本朝 |
Benchao |
On the present dynasty |
| 23. |
歷代 |
Lidai |
Through the ages |
| 24. |
戰國漢唐諸子 |
Zhanguo, Han, Tang zhuzi |
The masters of the Warring States, Han and Tang periods |
| 25. |
雑類 |
Zalei |
Miscellaneous themes |
| 26. |
作文 |
Zuowen |
On writing |
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