Liu Zongzhou (1578–1645; the birth year is also given as 1579) was a Ming-dynasty scholar and thinker, described as a Chinese Neo-Confucian scholar.
His style name was Qidong, and he used sobriquets including Kenian, Kenianzi, the two written forms of Niantai, Niantai Xiansheng, Jishan, and Jishan Xiansheng.
His former name was Liu Xianzhang; his posthumous names included Zhongjie, Zhongzheng, Zhongduan, and Zhengyi.
Life
He was a native of Shanyin and had household registration in Kuaiji. His father was Liu Po, and his mother, Lady Zhang, died in 1601; the maternal grandfather is given under two written forms. His relatives included the cousin Liu Jingzhong, his son Liu Zhuo (1613–1664), and his grandson Liu Maolin.
He passed the jinshi examination and ranked fifth in the third class.
In 1604–1605 and again in 1612–1614 he served as xing ren si xing ren; from 1621 to 1623 he was yi zhi si zhu shi. His offices also included guang lu si cheng and shang bao si shao qing, followed by tai pu si shao qing in 1623.
In 1624 he became you tong zheng; in 1629–1630 he served as the fu yin of Shuntian Prefecture, followed by gong bu zuo shi lang in 1636, li bu zuo shi lang in 1641, and zuo du yu shi in 1642 and 1644.
He was marginalized by Wei Zhongxian and was at one point removed from the official registers; he died amid a national crisis in 1645.
Teaching and associations
He taught disciples and established academies, charitable schools, or family schools. His friends included Yun Richu and Lü Zengshi.
His students included Huang Zongxi, Huang Zongyan, Wan Tai, Zhang Zhengchen, Chen Hongshou, Zhang Lixiang, Shen Yun, Yun Richu, Zhu Yuan, and Dai Yi.
He corresponded with Gao Panlong, Huang Daozhou, Qi Biaojia, and Fan Jingwen. Qiu Zhao'ao and Li Kai made his learning their object of adherence, while Li Yishi followed it as a private disciple.
Works
His authored works include *Zhengren sheyue*, *Renpu*, *Yiyan*, *Yitu shuo*, *Lunyu xue'an* (ten juan), and *Renji tu* (one juan).
Other authored works include *Yuanzhi*, *Huiyu* (one juan), *Zhengxue jie*, *Xueyan* (two juan), *Shengxue zongyao* (one juan), and *Renpu leiji* (two juan).
Titles also associated with him include *Liu Jishan ji*, *Liuzi quanshu* (40 juan), *Liuzi quanshu buyi* (24 juan), *Liu Niantai zoushu*, and *Zhengren xiaopu*.
References
- CBDB Liu Zongzhou (34748)
- Wikidata Liu Zongzhou (Q10816714)