The Practice and Self-Cultivation Ways of Zhu Xi

As the great master of neo-Confucianism,Zhu Xi argued that causality is the first principle of all things,and that causality actually refers to moral ethics centered of three cardinal guides and five constant virtues,on the basis of which he put forward the self-cultivation principles as bearing in mind,investigating nature of things and then acquiring knowledge.These principles not only relate closely to his belief in ontology,duel nature of human beings,and relation between knowledge and practice,but also serve for separating nature from fate,hierarchy and status.Hence,Zhu's self-cultivation ways have something in common with neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasty,and also differ from other neo-Confucians with some remarkable features.