Chiao Hung (1540?–1620), Chinese historian and philosopher affiliated with the T’ai-chou school, often referred to as the left wing of Wang Yang-ming’s hsin-hsüeh (learning of the mind). However, he did not repudiate book learning; he was very erudite, and became a forerunner of evidential research. He believed in the unity of the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. In opposition to Chu Hsi’s orthodoxy he made use of insights of Ch’an (Zen) Buddhism to give new interpretations to the classics. Learning for him is primarily and ultimately a process of realization in consciousness of one’s innate moral nature. See also BUDDHISM , CHU HSI, NEO – CONFUCIANISM , WANG YANG – MIN. S.-h.L. & A.K.L.C.