This paper is a biographical collaboration of findings with regards to the historically disputed relationship between Ch'en Pai-sha and Wang Yang-ming. An analysis of Wang's poem demonstrates that Wang was Ch'en's true successor when hereceived a symbolic embroidered garment from Chan Kan-ch'lian, and even sworeto remain faithful to his work until he died. The reasons Wang chose not to disclose this relationship publicly were due to political considerations, but consistently, more to do with his mentor's philosophy of self-realization. This study will challenge the official record of Ming History and the long accepted belief that Ch' en and Wang could not have been related. The paper begins with an anatomy of Wang's Eight Songs written in prison in 1506, followed by an analysis of Ch'en's "Guide to learning", in order to fur the demonstrate how Wang's doctrines of "unity of knowledge and action" , "theextension of innate knowledge" , and "the philosophy of self-realization" were originated from Ch'en Pai-sai. All explanations are based on biographical and circumstantial evidence which supports the arguments of this paper that the line of transmission among these three thinkers are clearly traceable. Thus, the mystery that has remained elusive to scholars over five centuries has now been resolved.
