Cheng Yi (philosopher)

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Chéng Yí (Chinese: 程颐, Wade-Giles: Ch'eng I; also known as Cheng Yichuan [Ch'eng I-ch'uan]; courtesy name: Zhengshu; 1033-1107) was a philosopher in China who worked with his older brother Chéng Hào (程灏), a tutor to Zhū Xī. Like his brother, he was a student of Zhōu Dūnyí, a friend of Shào Yōng, and a nephew of Zhāng Zǎi. The five of them are called the "Five Great Masters" of the 11th century by Zhu Xi.

Cheng Yi entered the national university in 1056, and received the "presented scholar" degree in 1059. He lived and taught in Luoyang, and declined numerous appointments to high offices. In 1086 he was appointed expositor-in-waiting and gave many lectures to the emperor on Confucianism. He was more aggressive and obstinate than his brother, and made several enemies, including Sū Shì (a.k.a. Sū Dōngpō), the leader of the Sichuan group. In 1097 his enemies were able to ban his teachings, confiscate his properties, and banish him. He was pardoned three years later, but was blacklisted and again his work was banned in 1103. He was finally pardoned in 1106, one year before his death.

[edit] Reference

• James D. Sellman, "Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi," in Great Thinkers of the Eastern World, Ian McGreal, ed., New York: Harper Collins, 1995, p. 111-115.