Zhan Ruoshui (1466–1560) was a Ming-dynasty Chinese philosopher and thinker. His courtesy name was Yuanming, with the variant Yuanming (原明). Yuanyi (元易) is also recorded; his sobriquet was Ganquan, and scholars called him Ganquan xiansheng; in later life he used Moweng (默翁). He was initially named Lu (露), also used the name Minze (民澤), changed his name to Yu (雨) to avoid a grandfather's taboo, and later adopted Ruoshui (若水). He was from Zengcheng in Guangdong.
Life
At a young age he studied under Chen Xianzhang. He passed the Guangdong provincial examination in 1492; in 1505 he earned the jinshi degree in the Yichou examination and placed third in the second class. He was selected as a shujishi and appointed a compiler.
While at the Hanlin Academy, he lectured at the same time as Wang Shouren; he also exchanged views with Lü Nan and was soon sent as an envoy to Annam. During the Zhengde era, his mother died, and he returned home in mourning, guarding her tomb for three years. After the mourning period ended, he settled at Xiqiao Mountain, built a lecture lodge, and required students to learn ritual before they could take their seats at his lectures.
At the beginning of the Jiajing era, he entered the court and was promoted to a reader of the Hanlin Academy; he also served as Vice Minister of Rites. In Jiajing 3 he became Nanjing Director of the Imperial College, in year 7 Nanjing Vice Minister of Personnel, in year 12 Nanjing Minister of Rites, in year 15 Nanjing Minister of Personnel, and in year 18 Nanjing Minister of War, after which he retired and returned home. His other titles included lecturer at the imperial lectures, supervisor of the compilation of the national history, and Tongyi dafu.
Thought and teaching
His learning took “recognizing Heaven’s Principle wherever one is” as its guiding principle. He advocated advancing knowledge and action together, rejected “knowledge first, action later,” and differed in this respect from Wang Shouren’s teaching. His learning occupied a leading position in the Lingnan school.
He later held lectures at Xiqiao Mountain; more than 3,000 people followed him over the years, and he founded Ganquan Hermitage.
Later life
After retirement he lectured at Tianguan (天關). He died in 1560 at Yushan Hermitage in Panyu; the date is disputed, being given as either May 16 or May 26. He was later reburied at Tiancan Ridge in Zengcheng.
He was posthumously granted the rank of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent; his posthumous name is given as Wenjian (文簡), but another form is Wenzhuang (文莊).
Family
His great-grandfather was 湛汪, his grandfather 湛江, his father 湛瑛, and his mother Chen-shi (陳氏). His elder brothers were 湛禎祥, 湛孟新, 湛昇, 湛仲良, 湛釗, 湛子成, and 湛祖冕; his younger brothers were 湛公, 湛成, and 湛欽. His wife was Yuan-shi (袁氏).
Works
His writings include 泉翁大全集, in 85 juan, and 甘泉先生續編大全, in 33 juan.
Other major classical works include 格物通, in 100 juan, 聖學格物通, in 100 juan, and 春秋正傳, in 37 juan. 二禮經傳測 is listed as a work of 68 juan, while the title 三禮經傳測 is also found. His other works include 新論, 甘泉新論, 甘泉問辨, 心性圖說, 心性書, 遵道錄, 樵語, 古小學, 四書測, and 五經測. His poetry and prose collection 甘泉集 comprises 32 juan.
References
- CBDB Zhan Ruoshui (131191)
- 搜韵 湛若水 (50650)
- Wikidata Zhan Ruoshui (Q13553235)
- 法鼓佛教人名规范数据库 湛若水 (A007181)