Research On The Study Of Confucian Classics Of Guangdong In The Mid And Late Qing Dynasty

This thesis takes scholars of Guangdong Xuehaitang Academy as the research object,covering the seniors,students and other scholars.It focuses on the study of Xuehaitang scholars at the early stage of its establishment,the second generation of scholars,and Dongshu disciples.By describing the academic purposes of the three generations of scholars,the thesis presents the development process and overall appearance of Han Learning in Lingnan area in the mid and late Qing Dynasty.This paper is divided into four chapters.The first chapter introduces the regional academic tradition of Guangdong in Ming Dynasty and the characteristics of Guangdong style of study in the early and mid Qing Dynasty.In the mid-Ming Dynasty,Chen Xianzhang emphasized the theory of xin-xing.His disciple Zhan Ruoshui carried it forward.The Jiangmen School gradually developed into the first major group of Lingnan Study.They exchanged views with Yaojiang School and giving lectures respectively.The atmosphere of philosophy of mind was very prosperous for a time,and its influence lasted until the early Qing Dynasty.Since the end of Kangxi period,scholars such as Hui Shiqi,Weng Fanggang,Qian Daxin and Quan Zuwang have traveled and taught in Guangdong to promote the development of cultural education in Guangdong.During the reign of Jiaqing,Guangdong scholars Feng Minchang and Chen Changqi,returned to Guangdong to teach in the academy to rectify the vacant academic style and guide students to the study of traditional philology.With the efforts of scholars in and outside Guangdong,the literati had more opportunities to know Han Learning.The second chapter demonstrates the rise of Han Learning in Guangdong during the Jiaqing and Daoguang period.At the end of Jiaqing period,Ruan Yuan directed Guangdong and Guangxi,Xuehaitang Academy was established following the example of Gujing Jingshe Academy,with specialized courses of Classics,history,poetry and literature.Since then the influence of textual research in Guangdong gradually expanded.Guangdong Xigutang Academy gathered the first group of scholars who participated in the establishment of Xuehaitang Academy.They were appreciated by Ruan Yuan and studied the classics in addition to poetry and literature,which started the trend of Han Learning research in Guangdong.Li Fuping and Xigutang scholars Zeng Zhao and Lin Botong both study semantic exegesis and textual research.By analyzing their works on Mao Shi,we can see the track of the establishment and development of Han Learning in Guangdong.Among the early scholars of Xuehaitang Academy,Zeng Zhao has the highest academic level,who was skilled in language textual research.His study of Book of Songs was absorbed by famous Han Learning scholars in Jiangnan area,and his ritual studies was included in Qing Jingjie Xubian.Chapter three examines the perspective change of Xuehaitang scholars' classics study since Daoguang and Xianfeng period.Hou Kang,in a period of political stability and prosperity of Han Learning in Guangdong,put his emphasis on supplement to the inadequacies of the previous theory,and his problem consciousness was concentrated on the classics text itself.With the emergence of the abuses of Han Learning and the deepening of foreign invasion,some scholars began to reflect how to remedy the abuses and try to resist them.Chen Li advocated reconciling the Han and Song Learning to save the shortcomings of the style of study,and to study local knowledge and technology in order to cope with the impact of western learning.Mathematician Zou Boqi,specialized in Classics textual research with traditional study of astronomy and calendar,making it prominent in mainstream academia,and expecting it to compete with western knowledge.The fourth chapter focuses on the Dongshu School.During the reign from Daoguang to Tongzhi in Qing Dynasty,Chen Li,who was highly appraised by high-ranking officials and significant scholars,and his disciples who were active in academic,educational and political fields formed a group of influential scholars in Lingnan.Confronted with the decline of the study of Confucian classics in late Qing Dynasty,the disciples of Dongshu adhered to their academic principle.Gui Wencan is committed to his teacher's inheritance,pursues his study in Confucian classics with traditional philology and pay attention to the relationship between the classics and reality,regardless of the Han and Song boundaries.From the practice on the ideological trend of taking in both the Han School and the Song School since Qianjia period,it can be seen that behind their indication of connect Han and Song Learning,Dongshu's subsequent scholars tends to strengthen the Han Learning position and weaken the tendency of Neo-Confucianism in Song Dynasty.At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China,traditional academics gradually changed to modern ones.Ma Zhenyu taught Confucian classics in the old-style academies and the new schools,and insisted on continuing Confucian classics in the new educational system.His efforts and struggles are the epitome of old-style scholars of an era.Ruan Yuan founded Xuehaitang Academy,style of study in Jiangnan was introduced to Lingnan,and the textual research trend rose in Guangdong.Han Learning gradually replaced Neo-Confucianism as the academic mainstream.In the process of Lingnan academic development in the mid and late Qing Dynasty,Xuehaitang Academy occupied a special position.The scholar community centered on Xuehaitang participated in the beginning,accumulation and transformation of the study of Confucian classics in Guangdong,which facilitated the promotion of Guangdong's academic status,and made Xuehaitang Academy together with Gujing Jingshe Academy,become national models in Academies of Confucian classics and ancient learning.Xuehaitang Academy and Xuehaitang scholars constituted the most symbolic cultural identity of Lingnan region in the Qing Dynasty,and their influence continued to period of the Republic of China.