TTLV: Research on the Complete Elementary School Texts of Zi Zhu Zi (Main text, Commentary, Summary)

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name: Tran Thanh Nga 2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: June 28, 2001

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision number for student admission:Decision No. 5626/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in the training process: Extension of study period according to Decision No. 9028/QD-XHNV dated December 23, 2025, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

7. Thesis title:StudyComplete Elementary School Book(Main text, Commentary, Summary)

8. Specialization: Sino-Vietnamese Studies; Code: 8220104

9. Scientific supervisor: Dr. Dinh Thanh Hieu

10. Summary of the thesis results:

1.The thesis provided an overview of the author and the circumstances surrounding the creation of the work.Elementaryas well as the process of dissemination and adaptation of the work in East Asian countries, and clarifying the methods of reception.ElementaryIn Vietnam. Specifically in Vietnam, Confucian scholars have made the following choices.Elementary school concentrationTran Tuyen used it as the base for engraving and circulation under the name.Complete Elementary School BookHowever, they did not stop at simply accepting the original Chinese text, but also made adjustments and compiled a material more suitable to the learning and educational needs of the time, which isAbridged Edition of Zi Zhu Zi Elementary SchoolThis clearly reflects the trend of localizing the original text.Elementarywithin the Confucian educational environment of Vietnam.

2.Regarding the content structure ofComplete Elementary School BookThe thesis has Based on the original text of the book, the structure of the work is determined to consist of 6 chapters.Establishing teachings, Enlightening the family, Respecting relatives, Raising the rooster, Family sayingsandGood deeds. In there,Establishing a religion,Minh LuanandDear Sir/MadamThese are the three main pillars, serving as the theoretical framework establishing the principles, objectives, and methods of primary education. The remaining chapters include:Chicken neck, Family sayingsandGood deedsThis thesis expands upon and proves the theories of the three introductory chapters. Simultaneously, it clarifies the position of primary education within the entire Confucian academic system, considering it a foundational stage before progressing to higher education. At this stage, primary education focuses on the practical application of specific tasks related to daily life, thereby nurturing character and shaping moral qualities through the most ordinary behaviors.

3.The thesis clarified Tran Tuyen's style of annotation regarding...ElementaryThe thesis comprises two parts: the main text and the commentary. The commentary, as presented by Tran Tuyen, is structured into four levels of increasing difficulty and breadth. According to the thesis's statistics, the commentary is approximately 1.42 times larger than the main text, demonstrating that the commentary system not only serves as a supplement to the main text but also becomes the dominant component in terms of volume, thereby providing readers with additional Confucian knowledge.

4.In Chapter 3, the thesis clarified the Vietnamese Confucian perspective on moderation in its compilation.Abridged Edition of Zi Zhu Zi Elementary SchoolThis does not alter the original intention of Zhu Xi, and at the same time, clearly defines this document as serving elementary learners, aiming to cultivate and transform the human heart. Based on that, the thesis points out thatSummaryIt's not simply a shortened version ofComplete Bookbut also an adaptive form ofElementaryduring its spread into Vietnam. Notably,SummaryIt was not only compiled in an abridged style, but also included additional sections.Appendix to the Book of GoodnessWith diverse sources of citation, including Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, it is clear that Vietnamese Confucian scholars made efforts to localize Chinese works during the process of receiving and using them.Elementary.

11. Practical applications: (if any)

The research findings of this thesis can be applied in several fields:

- Teaching Sino-Vietnamese Studies: A useful reference material for students or readers interested in Confucian classics.

- Scientific research: Contributing to supplementing information and documentation aboutComplete Elementary School BookandAbridged Edition of Zi Zhu Zi Elementary Schoolin Vietnam.

12. Future research directions: (if any)

- Conduct further research on Confucian works related to primary education.

13. Published works related to the thesis:

(List the works in chronological order if available)

But Tran Thanh Nga (2022), "Research on the issue of 'First learn manners' in ancient primary education through the heavens"Minh LuanbookThe Complete Elementary School Book of Zi Zhu,Sino-Vietnamese Studies 2022, World Publishing House, pp. 443–454.

- Tran Thanh Nga (2024), "From the workAbridged Edition of Zi Zhu Zi Elementary Schooland the reception of Zhu Xi's views on primary education in Vietnam,"Sino-Vietnamese Studies 2024, Publisher.The World, pp. 84–100.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Tran Thanh Nga 2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: June 28, 2001 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number:5626/QD-XHNV,Dated29/12/2023 

6. Changes in academic process: Extension of study period under Decision No. 9028/QD-XHNV dated December 23, 2025, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

7. Official thesis title: AResearch ofZi ZhuXi's Xiaoxue(Main text, Annotation, Summary)       

8. Major: Sino – Nom 9. Code:8220104

10. Supervisors: Dr. Dinh Thanh Hieu

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

1. This thesis provides an overview of the author, the historical background of the compilation ofXiaoxue, as well as the processes of transmission and adaptation of the work across East Asian countries, while also clarifying the mode of reception ofXiaoxuein Vietnam. In the Vietnamese context, Confucian scholars selected Chen Xuan'sXiaoxue jizhu(Annotation of Xiaoxue)as the base text for woodblock printing and circulation under the titleTu Chu Tu Tieu Hoc Toan Thu(The Full text of Zi ZhuXi's Xiaoxue). However, they did not simply adopt the original Chinese classic in its entirety; rather, they revised and recompiled it into a text more suitable to the educational and learning needs of the time, specificallyTu Chu Tu Tieu school map(The Summary of Zi ZhuXi's Xiaoxue). This reflects a clear tendency toward the localization ofXiaoxuewithin the Vietnamese Confucian educational context.

2. Regarding the structure and content ofTu Chu Tu Tieu Hoc Toan Thu, this thesis identifies six chapters based on the original text:Establishing education(Interchange)Clarifying human relations(Minh luan)Respecting yourself(The Sutra of Lamentation)Examining antiquity(Ke co)Exemplary sayings(Delicious), andExemplary character(Thien hanh). Among these, the first three chapters function as the core pillars that establish the principles, objectives, and methods of elementary education. The remaining chapters serve to expand upon and substantiate the theoretical framework established in the opening sections. In addition, this thesis clarifies the position of elementary education within the wider Confucian educational system, considering it as a foundational stage prior to higher learning. At this stage, education emphasizes the practice of concrete activities embedded in everyday life, thereby cultivating character and forming moral qualities through ordinary actions.

3. This thesis clarifies Chen Xuan's method of commentary onXiaoxue, which consists of two components: the main text and the annotations. The annotations content is organized into four progressive levels with increasing degrees of complexity and expansion. According to the thesis's statistical findings, the volume of commentary is approximately 1.42 times greater than that of the main text. This demonstrates that the commentarial system serves not merely as a supplement to the original text but rather becomes the dominant textual component in terms of volume, thereby providing readers with additional Confucian knowledge.

4. In Chapter Three, this thesis clarifies the abridgment principles adopted by Vietnamese Confucian scholars in compilingTu Chu Tu Tieu school map: preserve Zi ZhuXi's original intention while clearly positioning the text as educational material for beginners, aimed at moral cultivation and the transformation of human character. On this basis, the thesis argues that theSea surfaceis not merely a shortened version of theTotal revenue, but rather represents a form of adaptation ofXiaoxueduring its transmission into Vietnam. Notably, theSea surfacewas not compiled solely through abridgment; it was also supplemented with the sectionAppendix of ethical content, which incorporates diverse sources drawn from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. This demonstrates the efforts of Vietnamese Confucian scholars to localize a Chinese classic in the process of receiving and applyingXiaoxue.

12. Practical applicability, if any:

The findings of this thesis may be applied in several fields:

- Teaching of Sino – Nom Studies: serving as a useful reference for students and readers interested in Confucian classics.

- Academic Research: contributes additional documentary information to the study ofTu Chu Tu Tieu Hoc Toan ThuandTu Chu Tu Tieu school mapin Vietnam.

13. Further research directions, if any:

- Further research on works related to elementary education within the Confucian tradition.

14. Thesis-related publications:

(List them in chronological order)

ButTran Thanh Nga (2022), "Research on the issue of 'First learn manners' in ancient primary education through the heavens"Minh LuanbookThe Complete Elementary School Book of Zi Zhu,Sino-Vietnamese Studies 2022, World Publishing House, pp. 443–454.

- Tran Thanh Nga (2024), "From the workAbridged Edition of Zi Zhu Zi Elementary Schooland the reception of Zhu Xi's views on primary education in Vietnam,"Sino-Vietnamese Studies 2024, World Publishing House, pp. 84–100.