A Modern Interpretation of Zhu Xi’s Lixue (禮學): With a Special Focus on the Formal Characteristics of Zhu Xi’s Study of Rites

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Two varying opinions have emerged with regards to Zhu Xi’s lixue (禮學, study of rites). One of these argues that unlike Confucius’ lixue, Zhu Xi’s overemphasis on the formal features of li (禮, rites) caused the latter to become rigid and heteronymous. Moreover, Zhu Xi’s lixue eventually became the theoretical basis for the stagnation of Chosŏn society. Meanwhile, the other stance maintains that regardless of its standing as the main cause of rigid formality, the Zhu zi jia li (朱子家禮, Zhu Zi’s Family Rituals) constitutes an integral part of Korean traditions that must be preserved and passed on to future generations. For instance, the latter stance points to the fact that the guanli (冠禮, capping ceremony) and jili (笄禮, hair-pinning ceremony) prevalent amongst the sadaebu (士大夫, literati) class during the Chosŏn era, continues to be recreated in the present era.

This study strives to reconsider Zhu Xi’s lixue from the standpoint of its formal nature. This undertaking can be construed as a reflection of the fact that the above-mentioned contrary evaluations of Zhu Xi’s lixue have failed to carry out sufficient theoretical examinations of the formal aspect of this study of rites. The importance of such an exercise lies in the fact that if the formal characteristics contained in Zhu Xi’s lixue are found to have constituted nothing more than an implement through which to suppress humans, then attempts to bring about the inheritance of this lixue in the modern era would effectively become futile. With this in mind, this study focuses on the formal characteristics of Zhu Xi’s lixue in order to analyze the implications of the formalism contained therein. Moreover, an attempt is also made to prove that Zhu Xi’s lixue was based on a compromise between ancient rites (古禮, guli) and current fashions (時俗, shisu), that is, the harmonization of tradition and modernity. Furthermore, the author also strives to shed light on the logic upon which Zhu Xi based his attempt to reach a compromise between ancient rites and current fashions. Ultimately, this study reaches the conclusion that the methodology employed by Zhu Xi to incorporate ancient rites can serve as a model when it comes to the incorporation of traditional rites in the contemporary era.

This study as such attempts to identify the significance of the formalistic characteristics of Zhu Xi’s lixue, and to search for a modern methodology through which Zhu Xi’s lixue can be used to incorporate traditional rites.