Tags
Summary
Editor's review
As an editor, I believe the book's value lies in its strong practicality and capacity for inspiration. It is not merely an ancient philosophical text but a 'methodology' for settling body and mind amid a chaotic world and for honing wisdom through action. Compared with purely theoretical deduction, Chuanxilu brims with the tension of dialogue and the vitality of thought; readers can directly feel the earnest, pragmatic atmosphere of inquiry between Wang Yangming and his disciples. For modern readers, the book's emphasis on 'tempering oneself through affairs' and its discussion of eliminating the 'thief in the mind' still carry a power that speaks directly to the heart, offering an ancient yet fresh perspective for coping with present-day anxiety and clarifying obstacles to action. This book should be read slowly rather than quickly, and one must chew over it repeatedly in light of one's own experience to gradually enter its gate. This Harbin Publishing House edition provides basic annotation and translation, removing some textual obstacles for beginners and serving as one of the reliable entryways into the world of Wang Yangming's School of Mind.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in traditional Chinese culture and philosophy, especially Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism, who wish to understand the basic ideas of the School of Mind.
- Explorers seeking guidance in personal cultivation and spiritual growth, eager to integrate philosophical reflection with lived practice.
- People facing real-life choices and confusion about action, hoping to draw inspiration from ancient wisdom to respond to challenges with greater clarity and strength.
- Readers with some foundation in classical Chinese, or those willing to patiently learn classical texts through translation and annotation.
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting a rigorously structured, systematic history of philosophy or theoretical monograph.
- Those seeking light, entertaining reading and unable to accept a text that requires repeated reflection and personal introspection.
Reading tips
- On first contact, read through the vernacular translation to grasp the overall meaning and the outlines of the core concepts (mind is principle, unity of knowledge and action, extending innate good knowledge).
- On the second reading, try a close reading against the original text and annotations, focusing on passages that resonate with your own life experience, and take notes.
- Combine reading with reflection, seeking opportunities in daily life to 'temper yourself through affairs' and practice 'the unity of knowledge and action,' thereby deepening your understanding of the text.
About the publisher
Harbin Publishing House is a comprehensive city publisher known for classic works and social fiction. Its "Little Blue Book Classic Works Collection" includes modern literary masterpieces such as Lu Xun's Wandering and A Madman's Diary, and Xiao Hong's The Story of Hulan River; the complete Lu Xun fiction is also in its catalogue. In history, Lü Simian's History of the Two Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties appears in multiple volumes, while foreign literature and Eastern philosophy are represented by Yukio Mishima's The Temple of the Golden Pavilion and Spring Snow. Its authors include Lu Xun, Xiao Hong, Lü Simian and Yukio Mishima, as well as Yang Xiao, Tong Fan, Dong Haiyan and others. Common categories cover classic works, social fiction, history, foreign literature, Eastern philosophy and essays. Public information is limited, so this profile focuses on the publishing directions reflected in its 500 titles.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 导 言
- 卷上
- 徐爱录
- 陆澄录
- 薛侃录
- 卷中
- 钱德洪序
- 答顾东桥书
- 答周道通书
- 答陆原静书
- 又
- 钱德洪跋
- 答欧阳崇一
- 答罗整庵 少宰书
- 答聂文蔚
- 二
- 训蒙大意示教读刘伯颂等
- 教约
- 卷下
- 陈九川录
- 黄直录
- 黄修易录
- 黄省曾录
- 钱德洪录
- 钱德洪序
- 黄以方录
- 钱德洪跋
FAQ
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About the author
Wang Yangming (1472–1529), originally named Wang Shouren, courtesy name Bo'an, and styled Yangming, was a native of Yuyao, Zhejiang. A Ming-dynasty thinker, philosopher, and military strategist, he is regarded as the great synthesizer of the School of Mind. He advanced doctrines such as "mind is principle," "unity of knowledge and action," and "extending the innate moral knowing," and together with Lu Jiuyuan he is associated with the Lu-Wang School of Mind. His works include Records of Transmission and Practice (Chuanxilu) and The Complete Works of Wang Wencheng Gong, and his thought has influenced China and East Asia for centuries. The collection contains 39 related works, including Wang Yangming's Collected Works and Chuanxilu, commonly classified under Eastern philosophy, literary appreciation, classics, and biography. His writings consist mainly of lecture records and letters, direct and sincere in tone, combining philosophical depth with practical orientation, and serve as an important entry point for understanding Ming-dynasty School of Mind and East Asian intellectual traditions.
