Sun Xidan's (1736-1784) "Collected Commentaries on the Book of the Rites" is an important study of the classic. It was of special significance in relevant scholarship in mid-Qing China (18th century) because it represented the efforts of Qing scholars on the ideological transition from neo-Confucianism to the study of the rites. Based upon the philosophical framework of the Yongjia School, Sun Xidan's scholarship on the rites concerned verification of the existence of "heavenly principles" and "human conscience". Through his advocacy of the "reciprocal aids between sentiment and the rites", Sun aimed to eliminate the elements of antagonism between human sentiment and human desire. He played an active role in justifying certain doctrines of the Yongjia School, such as "achieving deeds and renown" and "comprehending historical evolution".