Xingli daquan 性理大全

Xingli daquan 性理大全, also called Xingli daquan shu 性理大全書, is a compendium on Neo-Confucian teachings compiled on imperial order by a team under the guidance of Hu Guang 胡廣 (1369-1418), courtesy name Guangda 光大, style Hao'an 晃菴, from Jishui 吉水, Jiangxi.

The compilation begun in 1414 and was presented to the throne a year later. It includes quotations from the writings of 120 Song-period philosophers. Hu's collected writings are called Hu Wenmu ji 胡文穆集. He participated in the compilation of the veritable records of the dynastic founder, Taizu shilu 太祖實錄, and in the two compendia Wujing daquan 五經大全, and Sishu daquan 四書大全 (together called Wujing-Sishu-Xingli daquan 五經四書性理大全). The title of the Xingli daquan was inspired by Chen Chun's 陳淳 (1159-1223) book Xingli ziyi 性理字義 or Xiong Gangda's 熊剛大 Xingli qunshu 性理羣書.

The book with a length of 70 juan begins with full quotations of the core texts of early Neo-Confucianism. The second half of the book consists of explanations to 13 central terms and propositions like the relation between the universal principle (li 理) and substance (qi 氣), the human character (xing 性) in relation to the universal principle, the conduct of Confucians, the correct way of rulership, etc. Each of the 13 sections has sub-chapters.

The book was used as a textbook in all important educational institutions of the Six Ministries, the Directorate of Education (guozijian 國子監) and throughout all prefectures of the empire.

The text was shortened in the early 18th century and refined to the widely used compendium Xingli jingyi 性理精義. The original was printed by the imperial printing shop and the Shiguzhai Studio 師古齋. In 1455, Master Wei 書林魏氏 of the Renshitang Hall 仁實堂 published a private edition. Wu Mianxue 吳勉學 printed the text in 1597. A fascimile of the official version was published by the Imperial Household in 1673. The text is also included in the imperial series Siku quanshu 四庫全書.