Liu Zongzhou (1579–1645), also known as Liu Jishan, was a Confucian scholar from the Ming dynasty, born in Shanyin, Shaoxing. He is considered the last master of Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism and is known for his criticism of the teachings of Wang Yangming.[1] After the Ming dynasty was destroyed by the Qing dynasty, Liu Zongzhou died on 8 June of the self-imposed starvation at age 68.[2]
One of his students Zhu Yuan (祝淵) committed suicide by hanging himself.[3] Another one of his students Wang Yushi (王毓蓍) committed suicide by drowning himself.[4]
Along with Hu Hong, Liu Zongzhou's thoughts are regarded as part of a third stream of Neo-Confucianism by Mou Zongsan.