About 知儒編
Ming · by 周夢秀撰
31,390 · about 105 min
*Zhiru Bian* (Knowing Confucianism) is an important Buddhist work authored by the lay Buddhist Zhou Mengxiu during the Ming Dynasty. The book emerged against the intellectual backdrop of the late Ming period, which was characterized by the fusion of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Its purpose was to harmonize Confucian thought with Buddhist principles. Through systematic organization and comparison, the author, Zhou Mengxiu, elucidates the inherent common ground between Confucian ethics and Buddhist teachings, emphasizing their shared pursuit of self-cultivation and benefiting society. The book primarily explores the complementary relationship between Confucian theories of mind and nature, ethical perspectives, and Buddhist Wisdom (Prajñā) and meditative practices. It embodies the spirit of Chinese Buddhism engaging in dialogue and innovation based on indigenous culture. As one of the representative works of the "Unity of the Three Teachings" trend during the Ming-Qing transition, *Zhiru Bian* holds a significant position in the process of Buddhism's Sinicization and provides valuable documentary resources for later studies on Confucian-Buddhist relations.