Lijing shili is a monograph on the Yili (Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial) by the Qing Confucian scholar Ling Tingkan. Modem scholars in discussing the academic history of Qing Dynasty often focus on the significance of Ling's monograph as one of the representative works of anti-lixue trend in the Qianlong-Jiaqing periods. Without discounting the value of this perspective, one is better reminded of another equally significant aspect of the monograph, namely, its adoption of the traditional approach to study Yi1i in terms of lili (ritual rules and regularities) as well as its attempt at a conc1usive study. This second aspect of Ling's monograph has long been neglected by scholars; as a resu1t, it remains yet to be brought under critical investigation. To fill the gap, this paper concentrates on analyzing Ling's contribution to the study of lili. It discusses the disadvantages of his approach and explores their possible amendments. On the basis of the discussion, the paper also raises the question of whether it is appropriate to characterize Ling's thought in terms of the concept of ”yili dai1i” (rituals in substitution for metaphysical principles).