YI Hwang (T’oegye, 1501-1570) is an eminent thinker in the history of Asian philosophy and religion. His Chasŏngnok (Record of self-reflection) is a superb Korean Neo-Confucian text: a special collection of twenty-two letters to his close disciples and colleagues, as selected by T’oegye himself. It continuously guided his self-reflection and became an inspiring text for others including some leading Japanese Neo-Confucians. Its philosophical merit is as outstanding as his Sŏnghak sipto (Ten diagrams on sage learning) and “Four-Seven Debate Letters”; however, the Chasŏngnok is more interesting ... More

YI Hwang (T’oegye, 1501-1570) is an eminent thinker in the history of Asian philosophy and religion. His Chasŏngnok (Record of self-reflection) is a superb Korean Neo-Confucian text: a special collection of twenty-two letters to his close disciples and colleagues, as selected by T’oegye himself. It continuously guided his self-reflection and became an inspiring text for others including some leading Japanese Neo-Confucians. Its philosophical merit is as outstanding as his Sŏnghak sipto (Ten diagrams on sage learning) and “Four-Seven Debate Letters”; however, the Chasŏngnok is more interesting and engaging with T’oegye’s holistic knowledge and experience of self-cultivation, thereby revealing the dignity and depth of his character, ethics, and spirituality. This book is an original scholarly work that offers a fully annotated translation of his Chasŏngnok with notes, cross-referencing citations, and interpretive comments. Chung’s Introduction presents a groundbreaking discussion of T’oegye’s life and thought. As the first comprehensive study of the Chasŏngnok, this book is a welcome addition to the current literature on East Asian classics, philosophy, and religion. It discusses T’oegye’s thought-provoking contribution and will shed new light on Confucian wisdom, providing scholars, students, and others with an excellent primary source. It also reminds us about the converging horizon between Confucianism and other spiritual traditions regarding the moral and transcendent truth of human existence.