Pangguan Zhuzixue (A Bystander's Perspectives on Zhu Xi Studies)

"Pangguan Zhuzixue (A Bystander's Perspectives on Zhu Xi Studies)" is a collection of essays and articles on the Confucian philosopher, classicist, and scholar-official Zhu Xi (1130–1200) in the context of his times, as well as some reflections on aspects of his legacy in modern times.

For over eight centuries, Zhu Xi has been credited as the principal figure in the revival of Confucianism, which others label "Neo-Confucianism," in China after centuries of Buddhist and Daoist cultural dominance. For instance, the last four imperial dynasties in China adopted the Four Books, which he championed, along with his commentaries on these classical texts, as the core of the educational and civil service systems from 1241 to 1905.

Tillman's essays represent aspects of his longstanding penchant for showing the diversity within even within Confucianism and also that many other thinkers and scholar-officials contributed to developing and establishing these ideas and gaining endorsement and utilization by the Song dynasty. The essays explore various aspects of China's economic, educational, cultural and philosophical history from the the Song era (960-1279) and with some discussion of its legacy in modern times.