Neo-Confucianism, also known as the School of Principle, emerged in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) as a response to the growing influence of Buddhism and Taoism on traditional Confucian thought. It sought to synthesize the teachings of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and became the dominant philosophical and ethical system in China for over 700 years. The development of Neo-Confucianism was led by several key figures who played a crucial role in shaping its doctrines and influencing its spread.

One of the most influential figures in the development of Neo-Confucianism was Zhu Xi (1130-1200 CE). He was a scholar, philosopher, and educator who is often referred to as the “Great Sage” of Neo-Confucianism. Zhu Xi’s interpretations and commentaries on the Confucian classics, particularly the Four Books (Analects, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, and Mencius), became the foundation of Neo-Confucian thought. He emphasized the importance of self-cultivation and moral perfection, and his teachings became the basis for the Neo-Confucian emphasis on the unity of knowledge and action.

Another key figure in the development of Neo-Confucianism was Wang Yangming (1472-1529 CE). He built upon Zhu Xi’s teachings and introduced the concept of “innate knowledge” or “intuitive understanding” (liangzhi). According to Wang Yangming, every individual possesses an innate moral knowledge that can be accessed through introspection and self-reflection. He also emphasized the importance of moral action and believed that knowledge without action was useless. Wang Yangming’s ideas had a significant impact on Neo-Confucianism and influenced its development in Japan and Korea.

Cheng Yi (1033-1107 CE) and Cheng Hao (1032-1085 CE), known as the Cheng Brothers, were also key figures in the development of Neo-Confucianism. They were renowned scholars and philosophers who advocated for a return to the original teachings of Confucius and Mencius. The Cheng Brothers emphasized the importance of the “investigation of things” (gewu) and the study of the “principle” or “reason” (li) in understanding the world. Their teachings had a significant influence on Zhu Xi and other Neo-Confucian thinkers.

Other important figures in the development of Neo-Confucianism include Zhang Zai (1020-1077 CE), who introduced the idea of “qi” (vital energy) as the fundamental force of the universe, and Lu Jiuyuan (1139-1193 CE), who emphasized the importance of intuition and inner moral cultivation. These and other Neo-Confucian thinkers contributed to the development of a complex and diverse philosophical system that blended Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist ideas.

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