Hsi CHU organized various and contradictory theories in Northern Sung Dynasty into a great learning system which replaced these previous theories, and was based on a theory unique to Confucianism, by being based on the Seisokuri setsu (Chinese philosophy, a theory that 'sei' [human inborn nature] is 'Li' [the law of moral act]) advanced by Yi CHENG, and the Tenri (a theory that 'ten' [providence] is 'Li' [the law of moral act]) advanced by Hao CHENG, while adapting the logical system of Buddhistic thought, the generative theory of Taoism, and gyoho (method of ascetic practices) of sitting calmly and quietly.
朱熹は、それまでばらばらで矛盾を含んでいた北宋の学説を、程頤による性即理説（性(人間の持って生まれた本性)がすなわち理であるとする）や程顥の天理（天が理である）をもとに、仏教思想の論理体系性、道教の生成論および静坐という行法を取り込みつつも、それを代替する儒教独自の理論にもとづく壮大な学問体系に仕立て上げた。