Shu Sheng Zisi

Zisi (Kong Ji) was a native of the State of Lu and the grandson of Confucius, born to Confucius’ son, Kong Li. Revered as Shu Sheng (the Sage of Transmission), Zisi inherited the teachings of Zengzi and passed them on to Mencius, forming the philosophical lineage later known as the Si-Meng School. Zisi carried forward Confucius' doctrine of The Doctrine of the Mean while pioneering Mencius' theories on human nature and mind, which significantly influenced Neo-Confucianism during the Song Dynasty.

In the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song, Zisi was posthumously honored with the title Marquis of Yishui. In the Yuan Dynasty, during the Zhishun era, he was further enshrined as Duke Shu Sheng.

Zisi's work, The Doctrine of the Mean, is considered a cornerstone of Confucian philosophy, laying down the highest moral standards and principles of self-cultivation. Its concepts, including the Five Universal Ways, Three Virtues, and Nine Guidelines, elucidate practices such as self-discipline through inner vigilance, loyalty and forgiveness, and sincerity as the ultimate virtue.

Zisi not only inherited Confucius’ thoughts but also expanded upon them, establishing The Doctrine of the Mean as the essence of Confucian learning. He emphasized moderation and harmony as fundamental principles, elevating sincerity as the essence of the universe and unifying heaven, humanity and all things. These contributions became an essential theoretical framework for later Confucian thought.