The Moral and Religious Thought of Yi Hwang (Toegye) : A Study of Korean Neo-Confucian Ethics and Spirituality

This book presents Yi Hwang (1501–1570)―better known by his pen name, Toegye―Korea’s most eminent Confucian philosopher. It is a pioneering study of Toegye’s moral and religious thought that discusses his holistic ideas and experiences as a scholar, thinker, and spiritual practitioner. This study includes Toegye’s major texts, essays, letters, and biographies. Edward Chung explains key concepts, original quotations, annotated notes, and thought-provoking comments to bring this monumental thinker and his work to life. Chung also considers comparative and interreligious perspectives and their contemporary relevance. By offering groundbreaking insights into Neo-Confucianism, this book sheds fresh light on the breadth and depth of Toegye’s ethics and spirituality, and is an important source for scholars and students in Korean and Confucian studies and comparative philosophy and religion. Preface Acknowledgments Note on Transliteration, Translation, and Citation Style Contents About the Author Abbreviations Chapter 1: Introduction: Toegye’s Life and Scholarship 1 Toegye’s Reputation: Korean and International 2 Toegye’s Life and Scholarship References Abbreviations Primary Sources: Yi Toegye’s Works Other Primary Texts (Including Translations) Secondary Sources: Anthologies, Modern Works, and Comparative Studies Chapter 2: True Learning 1 True Confucian Learning 2 Rejecting Buddhism and Daoism 3 Opposing Wang Yangming 4 Conclusion References Abbreviations Primary Sources: Yi Toegye’s Works Other Primary Texts (Including Translations) Secondary Sources: Anthologies, Modern Works, and Comparative Studies Chapter 3: A Philosophy of Principle: Heaven’s Principle as the Transcendent 1 The Moral and Spiritual Significance of Principle (I/Li) 2 Heaven’s Principle as the Transcendent 3 Conclusion References Abbreviations Primary Sources: Yi Toegye’s Works Other Primary Texts (Including Translations): Secondary Sources: Anthologies, Modern Works, and Comparative Studies Chapter 4: The Four-Seven Debate on Emotions: Moral-Spiritual Meaning and Implication 1 Introduction: Historical Background 2 Four Beginnings and Seven Emotions: Different Origins and Meanings 3 Moral-Spiritual Implications for Self-Cultivation 4 Conclusion References Abbreviations Primary Sources: Yi Toegye’s Works Other Primary Texts (Including Translations) Secondary Sources: Anthologies, Modern Works, and Comparative Studies Chapter 5: Sagehood and Confucian Spirituality 1 Sagehood 2 Sagely Learning and Spiritual Practice 3 Conclusion References Abbreviations Primary Sources: Yi Toegye’s Works Other Primary Texts (Including Translations) Secondary Sources: Anthologies, Modern Works, and Comparative Studies Chapter 6: Self-reflection, Reverence (Gyeong), and Mind Cultivation (Simhak) 1 Self-Reflective Contemplation and Concentration 2 Reverence (Gyeong) and Mind Cultivation (Simhak) 3 Conclusion References Abbreviations Primary Sources: Yi Toegye’s Works Other Primary Texts (Including Translations) Secondary Sources: Anthologies, Modern Works, and Comparative Studies Chapter 7: Toegye’s Love and Spirituality of Nature: Toward a Modern Confucian Ecology 1 Confucianism and Ecology: Preliminary Reflections 2 Toegye and Confucian Ecological Spirituality 2.1 Self-Cultivation in Harmony with Nature 2.2 Reverence and Nature 2.3 Toegye’s Nature Poetry and Ecological Spirituality 3 Conclusion: Toward a Green Confucianism References Abbreviations Primary Sources: Yi Toegye’s Works Other Primary Texts (Including Translations) Secondary Sources: Anthologies, Modern Works, and Comparative Studies Chapter 8: Transcend the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Comparative Interpretation 1 Confucianism and Toegye on the Origin of Evil 2 Transcend the Problem of Evil 3 Conclusion: Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspectives References Abbreviations Primary Sources: Yi Toegye’s Works Other Primary Texts (Including Translations): Secondary Sources: Anthologies, Modern Works, and Comparative Studies Chapter 9: Self-transcendence as the Ultimate Reality: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Dialogue 1 Interreligious Dialogue and Confucianism 2 Toegye on Self-transcendence as the Ultimate Reality 3 A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Dialogue 4 Conclusion References Abbreviations Primary Sources: Yi Toegye’s Works Other Primary Texts (Including Translations) Secondary Sources: Anthologies, Modern Works, and Comparative Studies Chapter 10: Conclusion: The Modern Relevance and Significance of Toegye’s Thought References Glossary of Key Terms, Titles, and Names Index This book presents Yi Hwang (1501-1570)--better known by his pen name, Toegye--Korea's most eminent Confucian philosopher. It is a pioneering study of Toegye's moral and religious thought that discusses his holistic ideas and experiences as a scholar, thinker, and spiritual practitioner. This study includes Toegye's major biographies and letters as well as his famous Jaseongnok (Record of self-reflection) and Seonghak sipdo (Ten diagrams on sagely learning). Edward Chung explains key concepts, original quotations, annotated notes, and thought-provoking comments to bring this monumental thinker and his work to life. Chung also considers comparative and interreligious perspectives and their contemporary relevance. By offering groundbreaking insights into Neo-Confucianism, this book sheds fresh light on the breadth and depth of Toegye's ethics and spirituality, and is an important source for scholars and students in Korean and Confucian studies and comparative philosophy and religion. Edward Y. J. Chung is Asian Studies Director and Professor of Religious Studies at UPEI, Canada. He is the author of The Great Synthesis of Wang Yangming Neo-Confucianism in Korea (2020), A Korean Confucian Way of Life and Thought: The Chasnŏngnok by Yi Hwang (T'oegye) (2016), and Korean Confucianism: Tradition and Modernity (2015) This book presents Yi Hwang (15011570)better known by his pen name, ToegyeKoreas most eminent Confucian philosopher. It is a pioneering study of Toegyes moral and religious thought that discusses his holistic ideas and experiences as a scholar, thinker, and spiritual practitioner. This study includes Toegyes major biographies and letters as well as his famous Jaseongnok (Record of self-reflection) and Seonghak sipdo (Ten diagrams on sagely learning). Edward Chung explains key concepts, original quotations, annotated notes, and thought-provoking comments to bring this monumental thinker and his work to life. Chung also considers comparative and interreligious perspectives and their contemporary relevance. By offering groundbreaking insights into Neo-Confucianism, this book sheds fresh light on the breadth and depth of Toegyes ethics and spirituality, and is an important source for scholars and students in Korean and Confucian studies and comparative philosophy and religion. Edward Y.J. Chung is Asian Studies Director and Professor of Religious Studies at UPEI, Canada. He is the author of The Great Synthesis of Wang Yangming Neo-Confucianism in Korea (2020), A Korean Confucian Way of Life and Thought: The Chasnongnok by Yi Hwang (Toegye) (2016), and Korean Confucianism: Tradition and Modernity (2015)