Difference between revisions of "Cult Ov 2 2024"

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Please upload your power point here: [[Media:Wu_Zetian_2024.pptx]]
 
Please upload your power point here: [[Media:Wu_Zetian_2024.pptx]]
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Please learn the vocabulary, read the text and answer the questions.
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Terms and Expressions
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*Wu Mei Niang 武媚娘
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*the imperial examination system 科举制度
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*officials in feudal times 臣子, 臣民
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*Guanzhong 关中地区
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*Guanlong aristocracy 关陇集团
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*North China Plain 华北平原
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*a system of spies 酷吏政治
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*secret police 酷吏
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*Wan Guojun 万国俊
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*Lai Junchen 来俊臣
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*the Manual of Accusation 《罗织经》
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*System of Land Equalization 均田制
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*Gentry 乡绅
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*Modified Chinese characters 则天文字
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*the Collected Tang Poems 《全唐诗》
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*the Collected Tang Essays 《全唐文》
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*regulated verse 格律诗
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*The Blank Stele 无字碑
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*the Qianling mausoleum 乾陵
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'''Gender: Wu Zetian - The Only Female Emperor of Imperial China'''
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Brief Introduction
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Wu Zetian (https://www. worldhistory. org/uploads/images/4558. jpeg?v=1623024902)
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Empress Wu Zetian (Empress Consort Wu, Wu Hou, Wu Mei Niang, Mei-Niang, and Wu Zhao, l. 624-705 CE, r. 690-704 CE) was the only female emperor of Imperial China. She reigned during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and was one of the most effective and controversial monarchs in China's history. (Mark, 2016)
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Politics
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One of the most important apparatus of government which fell into Wu Zetian's power was the imperial examination system: the basic theory and practice of which was to recruit into government service those men who were the best educated, talented, and having the best potential to perform their duties, and to do so by testing a pool of candidates in order to determine this objectively. Wu Zetian continued to use the imperial examination system to recruit officials in feudal times, and she introduced major changes in regard to the system that she inherited, including increasing the pool of candidates permitted to take the test, by allowing commoners and gentry, who were previously disqualified by their background, to take them. Another thing she did was to expand the governmental examination system and to greatly increase the importance of this method of recruiting government officials, which she did since 693. Wu provided increased opportunity for the representation within government to people of the North China Plain, versus people of the northwestern aristocratic families, (whom she decimated, anyway); and, the successful candidates who were recruited through the examination system became an elite group within her government. (The New Book of Tang)
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Additionally, at the beginning of Wu Zetian’s period of ascendency, Guanzhong was still the stronghold of the most nationally powerful aristocratic families, despite the fact that economic development in other parts of China had improved the lot of families in other regions. (The New Book of Tang)
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However, the Guanlong aristocracy was not willing to relinquish their hold on the reins of government; while, at the same time, some of the more newly wealthy families in other areas, such as the North China Plain or Hubei were eager for a larger share of national power of their own. Most of the opposition to Wu was from the Guanlong families of northwest China. Accordingly, she repressed them, instead favoring less privileged families, thus raising to the ranks of power many talented, but less aristocratic families, often recruited through the official examination system. Many of those so favored originated from the North China plain. Through a process of eliminating or diminishing the power of the established aristocracy, whom she perceived as disloyal to her, and establishing a reformed upper class in China loyal to her, Wu Zetian made major social changes.
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China during Wu Zetian’s Reign (https://www. worldhistory. org/uploads/images/4649. png?v=1614250808)
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Another important characteristics of Wu Zetian's governance is that her consolidation of power in part relied on a system of spies. She used informants to choose people to eliminate, a process which peaked in 697, with the wholesale demotion, exile, or killing of various aristocratic families and scholars, furthermore prohibiting their sons from holding office.
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Wu Zetian eliminated many of her real, potential, or perceived rivals to power by means of death (including execution, suicide by command, and more-or-less directly killing people), demotion, and exile. Mostly this was carried out by her secret police, led by individuals like Wan Guojun and Lai Junchen - who were known to have written a document called the Manual of Accusation, which detailed steps for interrogation and obtaining confessions by torture. (The New Book of Tang)
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Economy
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Many of Wu Zetian's measures were of a popular nature, and helped her to gain support for her governance. Wu Zetian came to power during a time in China in which the people were fairly contented, the administration was run well, and the economy was characterized by rising living standards. Wu Zetian, as far as the masses were for the most part concerned, continued in this manner. She was determined that free, self-sufficient farmers would continue to work on their own farm land, so she periodically used the System of Land Equalization, which also can be called as equal-field system, together with updated census figures to ensure fair land allocations, re-allocating as necessary. Much of her success was due to her various edicts (including those known as her "Acts of Grace") which helped to satisfy the needs of the lower classes through various acts of relief, her widening recruitment to government service to include previously excluded gentry and commoners, and by her generous promotions and pay raises for the lower ranks. (The Old Book of Tang)
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Culture
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About Modified Chinese characters, Empress Dowager Wu's cousin's son Zong Qinke submitted a number of modified Chinese characters intended to showcase Empress Dowager Wu's greatness in 690. She adopted them, and she took one of the modified characters, Zhao (曌), to be her formal name (i. e. , the name by which the people would exercise naming taboo on). Zhao was made from two other characters: Ming (明) on top, meaning "light" or "clarity", and Kong (空) at the bottom, meaning "sky. " The implication appeared to be that she would be like the light shining in the sky. (Zhao (照), meaning "shine", from which Zhao (曌) was derived, might have been her original name, but evidence of that is inconclusive. ) (The New Book of Tang)
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When it comes to literature, Wu Zetian's court was a focus of literary creativity besides her own literary work. Forty-six of Wu's poems are collected in the Collected Tang Poems and sixty-one essays under her name are recorded in the Collected Tang Essays. Although a lot of those writings serve political ends, there is one poem in which she laments her mother after she died and expresses her despair at not being able to see her again.
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Anime Figure
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During Wu Zetian's reign, the imperial court produced various works for which she was a sponsor, such as the anthology of the poetry of her court known as the Collection of Precious Glories, which contained poems by Cui Rong, Li Jiao, Zhang Yue, and others, arranged according to the official rank at the court of the individuals included. Among the literary developments that took place during the time of Wu Zetian (and partly at her court) was the final stylistic development of the "New Style" poetry of the regulated verse, by the poetic pair Song Zhiwen and Shen Quanqi. (The Old Book of Tang)
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Comments
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Empress Wu is a real historical figure, a vivid image of literature and art gallery. She is a distorted image of the patriarchal discourse for a long time. Departure from the Wu Zetian’s Female characteristics, from a gender perspective, this image has an important social and practical significance. (Liu Jian, 2013)
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The Blank Stele standing on the east side of the passage at the Qianling mausoleum in Shanxi province was built for Wu Zetian. Due to lack of historical records, its date and builder are still unknown, making the stele a mystery. Maybe this is just what Wu Zetian wanted—no one could define her whole life except time and history. (Zhang Yu, 2014)
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'''Questions'''
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1. Who was the only female emperor of Imperial China?
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2. Who wrote the Manual of Accusation?
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3. What system has been used to keep free, self-sufficient farmers continuing to work on their own farm land?
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4. How many poems which were written by Wu Zetian are collected in the Collected Tang Poems?
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5. How many essays under Wu Zetian’s name are recorded in the Collected Tang Essays?
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6. Did Wu Zetian write anything on her stele?
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References
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[1] Mark, E. (2016, March 17). Wu Zetian. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www. worldhistory. org/Wu_Zetian/
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[2] The New Book of Tang 《新唐书·卷四·本纪第四》
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[3] The Old Book of Tang 《旧唐书·卷六·本纪第六》
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[4] Liu Jian 刘健. (2013). 武则天形象演变研究(硕士学位论文, 陕西理工学院). https://kns. cnki. net/KCMS/detail/detail. aspx?dbname=CMFD201402&filename=1014211402. nh
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[5] Zhang Yu 张宇. (2014). 武则天的“无字碑”真的无字吗?. 中国国家博物馆馆刊(11), 63-70. doi:CNKI:SUN:ZLBK. 0. 2014-11-010.
  
 
==='''李嫣然 12. Architecture: Shengjing Imperial Palace'''===
 
==='''李嫣然 12. Architecture: Shengjing Imperial Palace'''===

Revision as of 15:00, 14 March 2024

Welcome to our course website!

Session 1 OD Fri Mar 1 8:00-9:40 room 603: Organizational issues

FRI 8:00-9:40 中国文化概要 Cult Ov 2 2024 (1-16, 外国语学院大楼603 09161319.02) (S1 5.-8.3., S2 8.3., S3 11.-15.3., S4 15.3., S5 1.-5.4., S6 5.4., S7 8.-12.4., S8 12.4., S9 2.-3.5., S10 3.5., S11 6.-10.5., S12 10.5., S13 27.-31.5., S14 31.5., SX 3.-7.6., S15 7.6., SX 11.-14.6., S16 14.6.)

What we learn in this class

  • We learn about Chinese culture from international, especially Western perspective.
  • We learn about cultural phenomena, traditional Chinese culture.
  • We learn English and Chinese terminology in the area of Chinese culture.
  • We learn to think critically about cultural traditions and to appreciate the benefits from cultural traditions.
  • We learn how to determine the location and role of Chinese culture within global culture.
  • We learn basics of theories and models of intercultural communication and comparison.
  • We learn the appreciate and respect the diversity of multipolar cultures and of integration.
  • We become aware of the dangers of cultural discrimination (colonialism, religious missions, imperialism etc.).

Textbook

Here are 100 topics of the textbook. The names indicate which student translates which chapter of the textbook from English into Chinese. The topics written in bold will be presented as ppt in class.

涂海蓉 1. Geographic Nature as a Basis for Cultural Development

地理环境是文化发展的基础 

        中国是亚洲最大的国家，也是世界上人口最多的国家。它占地9560900平方公里（3691000平方英里），大约是世界陆地面积的十五分之一。根据最新的人口普查，截至2005年，中国的总人口已达到13.5亿。不论面积还是人口，欧洲（不包括俄罗斯）都仅是中国的一半。
        中国地处东亚，太平洋西岸，位于东半球北半部。她东西宽5000公里，南北长5500公里。中国的陆地边境线长达20000多公里，与14个国家接壤：东邻韩国；南接越南，老挝，缅甸；西南与印度，不丹和尼泊尔相接；西邻巴基斯坦，阿富汗；西北接俄罗斯，哈萨克斯坦，吉尔吉斯和塔吉克斯坦；北与蒙古接壤。中国隔黄海与日本相望，东南与菲律宾越南海相眺。
        中国大陆拥有世界上最长的海岸线之一，从北部中朝边境的鸭绿江口奔流至南部中越边境的北仑河口，总长18000公里。中国大陆东侧从北至南依次是渤海，黄海，东海，南海，均与太平洋合流。这片巨大的海域散布着5000多座岛屿。台湾是最大的岛屿，其次是海南岛和崇明岛。
        由于其地处欧亚大陆东南部及太平洋西岸，世界最大的大陆和最大的大洋之间的热储量差异造成了中国著名的季风气候。在冬季，发源于西伯利亚，寒冷干燥的极地大陆气团，支配着中国大部分地区；而在夏季，炎热潮湿的热带太平洋气团则影响着中国大部分地区。中国大部分区域是显著的大陆性气候，这种气候的日温差和年温差较大。
        中国的降水分布大致上从东南向西北递减。东南沿海部分地区的年降水量达到80英寸以上。长江流域降水量约40英寸。再往北，年降水量低于20英寸。中国正构思并规划一项重大的南水北调工程。
        中国地势西高东低，因此大部分河流的流向一般向东。地势由西向东可分为三个阶梯：高原，山地和平原。大体上，中国是一个多山的国家。丘陵，山地和高原覆盖了国家总面积的三分之二，居住着三分之一的人口。
        自然植被类型及其植物组成十分多样。中国的种子植物总数约为30000种，2700属。200多个属为中国特有。约有2500种林木。它们当中很多是重要的经济树种，如桐油树，樟树和漆树。丰富的植被和多样的地形养育了多种多样的动物。著名的动物有长江的大白鲟，东北部的东北虎，西部的娃娃鱼，大熊猫和西南部的金丝猴。
        根据《中华人民共和国宪法》，中华人民共和国是工人阶级领导的、以工农联盟为基础的人民民主专政的社会主义国家。人民行使国家权力的机关是全国人民代表大会和地方各级人民代表大会。国务院是最高国家行政机关的执行机构。
        首都北京是全国政治、文化和经济中心。国歌是《义勇军进行曲》。国徽的中心是五星照耀下的天安门，周围是谷穗和齿轮，充分体现了中国人民共和国的宪法范畴。

李珣 2. Aesthetic ideals and social customs: Chinese Marriage Customs

谭雅兰 3. Aesthetic ideals and social customs: Habits, Ways of Contacting

雷慧婷 4. Aesthetic ideals and social customs: Marriage-Accompanying Songs in Hunan

李舒婧 5. Aesthetic ideals and social customs: Crying Marriage of Tujia

雷慧婷 6. Aesthetic ideals and social customs: The Four Most Handsome Men in Ancient China

裴心弦 7. Animals: Panda

林如茵 8. Architecture

储守娟 9. Architecture: The Forbidden City

李嫣然 10. Architecture: Four Famous Bridges

李嫣然 11. Architecture: Four Great Pavilions

李嫣然 12. Architecture: Shengjing Imperial Palace

李嫣然 13. Architecture: Three Great Towers in China

陈佳雯 14. Architecture: Fengshui in Chinese Architecture

裴心弦 15. Army and weapons: Chinese Ancient Weapons

宋成爽 16. Army and weapons: Terracotta Army

李珣 17. Astrology: Chinese Astrology

李珣 18. Astrology: Calendar, The 24 Solar Terms

李珣 19. Astrology: Twelve Animals of the Chinese Zodiac

谭雅兰 20. Beverages: Milk Tea

李思瑾 21. Beverages: Tea

李思瑾 22. Beverages: The Liquor Culture of Ancient China

林如茵 23. Body movement performance: Chinese Lion Dancing

李思瑾 24. Body movement performance: Stilts

段思雅 25. Body movement performance: Traditional Chinese Dance

牟一泓 26. Chinese Writing: Ancient Writing and Painting Tool, Writing Brush

陈佳雯 27. Chinese Writing: Calligraphy

牟一泓 28. Chinese Writing: The Evolution of Calligraphy

胡煜杰 29. Chinese Writing: Chinese Characters

牟一泓 30. Chinese Writing: Chinese Characters and Scripts

裴心弦 31. Clothing: Chinese Clothing

宋成爽 32. Clothing: Batik (Lanran)

陈佳雯 33. Clothing: Cheongsam

涂海蓉 34. Confucianism: Confucian Culture

涂海蓉 35. Confucianism: Chinese Traditional Culture-Five Constant Virtues

朱然 36. Confucianism: Classical Philosophy - Confucius and Confucianism

涂海蓉 37. Confucianism: Classical Philosophy - Reading The Analects

宋成爽 38. Education: Ancient Chinese Education

段思雅 39. Education: Historical Figures, The Four Talented Women of Ancient China

谢香琳 40. Education: Modern Chinese Education System

谢香琳 41. Education: The Nine-Grade Official Selection System in Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties

谢香琳 42. Education: Yuelu Academy (One of the Four Most Prestigious Academies)

段思雅 43. Facial Make-up

段思雅 44. Facial Make-up: Cosmetics, Traditional Chinese Make-Up

卢逸萱 45. Facial Make-up: Face Changing in Sichuan Opera

陈卓 46. Fine Arts: Painting

陈卓 47. Fine Arts: Bada Shanren and Qi Baishi

陈卓 48. Fine Arts: Painting Riverside Scene at Tomb Sweeping Day

杨子璇 49. Fine Arts: Seal-cutting

杨子璇 50. Games: Go 围棋

杨子璇 51. Games: Kite Flying

陈佳雯 52. Games: Mahjong: An Ancient Chinese card play

林如茵 53. Garden Culture: Gardens

卢逸萱 54. Garden Culture: Bonsai (Penjing)

林如茵 55. Garden Culture: The Summer Palace

储守娟 56. Garden Culture: Qingming Riverside Landscspe Garden

储守娟 57. Gender: Wu Zetian: The Only Female Emperor of Imperial China

储守娟 58. History: Carl and Cixi

吴梨萍 59. Interieur: The Folding Screen

吴梨萍 60. Landscapes and Tourism: Four Buddhist Shrines

吴梨萍 61. Landscapes and Tourism: Four State-Level Cultural Relics

潘彤 62. Landscapes and Tourism: Landscape, Five Famous Mountains

潘彤 63. Landscapes and Tourism: Mogao Grottoes

潘彤 64. Landscapes and Tourism: The Culture of Mount Tai


肖烨 65. Landscapes and Tourism: Canal Culture：The Grand Canal（The Peking-Hangzhou Grand Canal）

肖烨 66. Landscapes and Tourism: The Ancient Tea Horse Road

肖烨 67. Landscapes and Tourism: Tourism, Nanking-An Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties

喻鑫众 68. Language: Chinese Language

喻鑫众 69. Language: Chinese Dialects

喻鑫众 70. Language: Chinese Folk Argot


胡煜杰 71. Literature: Ancient literature - Chinese Classical Fairy Tales 胡煜杰 72. Literature: Ancient literature - Chinese Mythology

朱然 73. Literature: Ancient literature - Classical Literature

卢逸萱 74. Literature: Ancient Literature - Four satirical novels in ancient China

罗嘉怡 75. Literature: Ancient literature: Four Folk Stories of Ancient China

宋成爽 76. Literature: Ancient Literature - Take Su Shi as an example. Relegation Literature in Ancient China

罗嘉怡 77. Literature: Ancient Literature: The Classic of Mountains and Seas

罗嘉怡 78. Literature: Ancient literature: Yuefu

罗杨 79. Literature: Premodern literature - China's Four Great Classical Novels

罗杨 80. Literature: Premodern literature - Li Bai's “The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter” and its translations

罗杨 81. Literature: Premodern literature: Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio

李舒婧 82. Literature: Premodern literature: Tang-Song

李舒婧 83. Literature: Tang and Song - Classical Prose Movement of late Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty

李舒婧 84. Literature: Modern Literature

谭雅兰 85. Literature: Modern Literature: Qian Zhongshu (Ch'ien Chung-shu)

朱然 86. Literature: Modern and Contemporary Literature: Literature, Science Fiction, and Fantasy

罗淑珍 87. Literature: Contemporary Literature

罗淑珍 88. Martial Arts: Huo Yuanjia

罗淑珍 89. Martial Arts: Qigong

龙雨涵 90. Martial Arts: Taiji (Tai Chi) Shadow Boxing

龙雨涵 91. Martial Arts: Wushu

龙雨涵 92. Martial Arts: Frolics of the Five Animals (Wuqinxi)

姜睿 93. Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

喻鑫众 94. Medicine: TCM - Acupuncture and Moxibustion

姜睿 95. Medicine: TCM - Diagnosis and Pharmacology

姜睿 96. Medicine: TCM - The Development of Chinese Medicine

向璐 97. Medicine: TCM – The Chinese Medical Sage Zhang Zhongjing

向璐 98. Minority cultures: Lisu People and Daogan Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

向璐 99. Minority cultures: The Ethnic Minorities’ Costumes

雷慧婷 100. Money culture: Currency, Jiaozi (A Paper Currency in Northern Song Dynasty)

Homework until Session 2

Please make a Chinese translation of the text of the topic you selected for presentation including questions at the end of the textbook text. When you select a topic, please coordinate with your class representative that no other students selects the same topic.

Preparatory homework for every session

Please prepare the topics of the following session by reading the respective texts in the textbook and by answering the respective questions.

Homework until Session 5

Please translate another topic you are interested in into English. When you select another topic, please coordinate with your class representative that no other students selects the same topic.

Homework until Session 10

Please translate another topic you are interested in into English. When you select another topic, please coordinate with your class representative that no other students selects the same topic.

Homework until Session 15

Please translate another topic you are interested in into English. When you select another topic, please coordinate with your class representative that no other students selects the same topic.

Final paper after Session 16

Please think of a new topic of a phenomenon of traditional or modern Chinese culture. Please use the same format as the other topics in the textbook, including text, terms, references, questions. Whenever you indicate a reference, please also mention the page number. When you select another topic, please coordinate with your class representative that no other students selects the same topic and confirm with the instructor that the topic is appropriate.

Session 1 Student presentations

涂海蓉 34. Confucianism: Confucian Culture

Please upload your power point here:

Media:Confucian_Institutes_2024.pptx

儒学：儒家文化

引言

儒家是由孔子建立，孟子发展，荀子整理的学术流派。迄今，它仍然保持着一定的生命力。儒家以儒学为指导思想，其中心思想是恕、忠、孝、悌、勇、仁、义、理、智、信。（李晓愚，2010年，第31页）

先秦时期，百家争鸣，儒家与其他百家学术流派处于同等地位。秦始皇焚书坑儒后，儒家的发展受到严重打击。后来，为了维护封建专制统治，汉武帝听从了董仲舒“罢黜百家，独尊儒术”的建议，加强思想专制，儒家得到复兴。（张岂之，1990年，第20页）“儒家”“儒学”“儒教”的概念是不同的，儒家是理论学派，儒学是社会阶层，而儒教是信仰。（陈智斌、杜爱红，2017年，第60-61页）

老子创立了中国道家学派；孔子始创了中国儒家学派；孙子开创了中国兵家学派；墨子是战国初期墨家的创始人。儒学有助于指导行为规范，建设社会秩序；道家注重培养自然观念和精神发展方向；法学服务于国家政治管理的制度建设；兼爱和非攻的概念是墨家的两大基石。

儒学的大一统思想在国家统一、增强民族凝聚力和文化价值融合方面发挥了重要的作用。（谭苏，2012年，第68页）历经两千多年的发展和演变，儒家文化建立起了一个完整的思想体系，包括政治、教育、道德、伦理、行为规范、生活技巧等各个方面。它贯穿华夏历史，培育了中华民族的智慧与灵魂，形成了根深蒂固的思维、心理与生存模式。（向春玲，2008年，第42-43页）

儒家文化分析

智慧发展

孔子是伟大的教育家，也是平民教育的先锋者和实践者。儒学被确立为正统文化后，统治者和百姓都尊崇孔圣教义，重视教育。在这种背景下，保持高度的文化修养与礼教浸润是基本的要求。隋朝，隋文帝发明科举考试，学而优则仕，这鼓舞了寒门学习通过勤奋学习改变自己的生活。（张岂之1990，19）

中华民族世世代代十分重视对子女的教育，这有利于提高整个民族的思维能力。然而，中后期政府的腐败、官僚的黑暗让许多文人学士对仕途感到绝望，对理念感到怀疑。此外，四书五经是儒学的主要学习内容。除了官办学校，私塾和自学几乎无法达到六艺的要求。（张岂之，1990年，第21页）因此，四书五经被作为学生学习的重点，而六艺并没有得到高度重视。

精神指引

精神层面，儒学主张“天行健，君子当自强不息；地势坤，君子以厚德载物。”（张岂之，1990年，第86页）仁者爱人，体现了“天人合一”的精髓，也是儒学最精辟的内涵。这种哲学号召人们积极奉献社会。在现代，它仍具有生命力，是未来人们精神方向的基本要求。（李晓愚，2010年，第32页）

秩序构建

野蛮时期与落后时期的共同点是，一小部分人掌权，压迫奴役大部分人，结果导致劳动分工和财富分配不公，产生了相应的社会等级制度和观念。因为儒学发展于封建社会的过渡时期，孔孟思想植根于唯心主义天命观，没有突破社会等级制度的束缚。此外，他们甚至提倡贵贱有别，强调了等级划分的重要性。（李芳萍，2013年，第56页）

这种背景下，他们所倡导的“仁”在政治管理方面有很大的局限性。百姓的政治地位不能得到公平对待。反之，这种所谓的“仁”呼吁改善百姓生活条件，统治阶级获得更多利益。然而，它的目的是维护社会秩序，调解社会矛盾。这也是封建统治者支持儒学的根本原因。本质上，儒学并没有促进社会公平，相反，它致力于维护不公平的封建社会等级制度，加剧了奴役。事实上，在长期的封建统治下，等级观念已经变成了民族心理的一部分。随着时代与文明的进步，天命观和社会秩序思想变成了中华民族的心理桎梏。（李芳萍，2013年，第56页）

消除封建等级思想和形式主义理念后，儒学的一些哲理在现在社会仍然产生着积极的影响。具体来说，“仁”和“博爱”的精神有利于培养人们的精神；“国家属于人民”的理念反映的积极奉献社会的责任感，可以扩展为不同国家所共享的社会与政治哲学。（李晓愚，2010年，第33页）

孝悌增进了家庭的和睦与稳定；忠信礼恕有利于不同国家、社会和人民之间的关系。“忠”意味着人民应该对国家和民族保持忠诚；“友”“恕”在化解各种矛盾与敌意中发挥着重要作用；谈到“孝”“礼”，许多封建社会遗留的的繁文缛节应当被根除，更注重实际。（向春玲，2008年，第39-41页）

儒家文化的当代价值

今天，儒家文化仍然具有重要意义。我们必须在中华民族优秀传统的基础上，结合当今时代特征与实际国情，探索儒家文化的价值。儒家文化影响中国民族两千余年，已深入到中国社会的方方面面。（向春玲，2008年，第39页）

思想政治教育

儒家文化主张以人为本，高度重视人的价值和尊严。（张岂之，1990年，第51-57页）

多年来，中华民族深受这一优秀哲理影响。在此背景下，其行为模式与心理结构被赋予了独特性，主要表现在两个方面。一是自尊自爱，学会关爱自己。除此之外，也要通过不断提升道德修养增强自尊，实现人的价值发展。二是尊重他人，通过尊重、理解和关心他人来体现对他人人格的尊重。（向春玲，2008年，第39-40页）

现代化经济建设

当今形势下，一些思想内容仍然具有生命力，对促进现代化经济建设，培养中国人民现代爱国主义情感产生着积极影响。（李承宗，2002年，第65页）

首先，儒家文化强调“仁”的思想与组织意识。它有利于培养集体主义思想，为中国现代经济提供精神支柱。（李承宗，2002年，第65页）

由于儒家文化体现的集体主义人生观，个人充满了对他人和集团的义务感和责任感。在此背景下，他们的自我修养旨在治国齐家平天下。因此，个人的价值与国家的兴衰紧密相连，所以他们有强烈的责任感。“天下兴亡，匹夫有责”成为了数千年来的共同信念。这种社会责任感会产生巨大的驱动力，推进国家与社会的发展。（谭苏，2012年，第68页）

第二，儒家文化的“自强”意识和“求是”主张增强了民族精神，为中国经济现代化提供了源动力。（李承宗，2002年，第66页）

《易传》指出：“天行健，君子以自强不息。”它意味着不断发展是自然的法则，君子应当追求进步，坚强不屈。千年来，中华民族在这些思想的影响下形成了奋发图强的优良传统。今天，我们弘扬“自强不息”与“实事求是”的精神，就是要进一步增强民族精神，为社会主义现代化提供强大动力。（李承宗，2002年，第67页）

第三，儒家文化的“改革创新”理念有利于进一步改革开放，加快中国社会主义现代化。在认可不断发展是自然法则的基础上，儒家文化提出了“创新”思想。《礼记》中有言：“苟日新，日日新，又日新。”《易经》曰：“革故鼎新。”（李承宗，2002年，第67页）

这个理念不仅为历史中的改革创新奠定了理论基础，也为当今社会主义经济政治体制改革提供了宝贵经验。对内，弘扬创新精神能够极大地增强中国人民的改革意识。对外，它有利于扩大儒家文化的国际影响力，进一步对开外放。（李承宗，2002年，第67页）

法制建设

儒家文化高度重视个人修养，高度文明的法治社会应该由高素养的公民组成。儒家，在中国有着千年历史的学术流派，已成为中华文化不可或缺的组成部分。（李晓愚，2010年，第32-33页）

如今，中国提出将德治与法治相结合的政策，正是儒家文化找准历史定位，充分发挥作用的时机。探索儒家文化对当代中国法治建设的影响，不仅可以帮助我们深入了解传统文化，也能促进当今中国的法治建设进程。（李晓愚，2010年，第32-33页）

德治思想是儒家文化的重要组成部分，它强调德育的重要性。它是古代中国统治者奉行的治国方略，也是当代中国具有重要借鉴意义的治国方法。

治国层面，儒家强调道德的重要性，它相信治国不应该主要依靠严刑峻法，相反，应该用德育感化民众。子曰：“为政以德，譬如众星捧月。”通过将统治者比作北极星，将人民比作群星，孔子强调了德育的重要性。（王杰，2004，第77页）

如何以德治国？首先，统治者应注重自己的个人修养，发展良好道德品质，以此为公众树立优秀榜样。只有官民真诚地服从于统治者，才能形成良好的社会氛围。其次，由于儒学以“仁”为其核心，呼吁德治，很多人下意识地认为儒学否定法治，并认为儒家文化根本不主张法治。（王杰，2004年，第82-83页）

事实并非如此。诚然儒学提倡德治，它也强调以法治为辅。子曰：“圣人认为，国家治理必须德治与法治相结合。”也就是说，如果用制度和法律约束人们，他们会寻求免罚却缺乏良知；然而，如果以道德和礼节指引他们，他们会有是非观念并严格要求自己。（王杰，2004年，第83页）

总而言之，我们应该认识到，尽管儒家文化是中国的优秀传统文化，它也是封建社会的产物，其本意旨在维护封建专制君主制。因此，它不可避免地存在一些落后性和局限性。在这种情形下，我们必须辩证分析儒家文化，探索儒家文化价值。同时，我们应舍弃其遗留的陋习和不利因素，更好地弘扬中国传统文化，加快现代中国法治建设。（王杰，2004年，第83页）

孔子学院

随着中国国际地位的提高和国际交流的日益增强，中国文化赢得了广泛的国际关注，世界更加渴望学习和理解中国文化。2004年，为响应时代号召，孔子学院成立。今天，孔子学院已遍及亚洲、非洲、美洲、欧洲和大洋洲。（吴瑛，提文静，2009年，第30页）

从根本上说，它有助于中国文化走出去，因为语言是中国文化的重要载体。它对于中国国家形象塑造、中国国际影响力提升、实现广泛国际交流都具有积极意义。（吴瑛，提文静，2009年，第30页）

孔子学院的快速发展充分展现了世界人民学习汉语、了解中国的需求和渴望，但过程中仍然存在一些难题。当今，各国致力于传播自己的语言和文化，因此，国际文化推广中存在着激烈的竞争。此外，孔子学院努力实现持续发展。对内，其发展受诸多因素限制，包括师资短缺、质量低下及缺乏针对性。（吴瑛，提文静，2009年，第31页）

如今，孔子学院遍及世界，但追求量与速的传播策略导致能够对外教授汉语的教师严重不足。

据统计，全球至少缺少 500 万名 TCSL 教师。（吴瑛，提文静，2009年，第31页）

其次，缺乏高质量的本土化汉语教材也成为孔子学院发展的瓶颈。汉语教材的缺乏直接影响了孔子学院文化交流的深度。第三，孔子学院不能传播中国文化的渊博思想。尽管教材内容丰富，但它们主要注重于通过介绍中国食物、茶酒、传统中国医学和武术传播民俗文化。

同时，它们很少提及传统中国文化的思想精髓和现代中国文化的现代价值。（吴瑛，提文静，2009年，第32页）

孔子学院应当全力探索儒学的现代意义，传播中国文化精髓，增进中国文化核心思想及其现代文化价值的推广。中国文化海纳百川。孔子学院应该传播的不是中国文化的全部内容，而是不同于其他国家又展现出中国文化精髓的、具有普世价值的内容。（向春玲，2008年，第42页）

问题

1.儒家文化的核心思想是什么？

2.儒家、儒学、儒教有什么区别？

3.你怎么看待儒家、道家、墨家、法家之间的关系？

4.什么是六艺？

5.你怎么认为儒学的古代影响？

6.你认为儒家文化在中国仍有其当代价值吗？为什么？

7.你如何看待孔子学院的发展现状？

朱然 36. Confucianism: Classical Philosophy - Confucius and Confucianism

Please upload your power point here: Media:Confucianism_2024.pptx

36. 儒家思想：古典哲学—孔子和儒家思想

孔子被认为是古代中国的一位伟大哲学家和一位伟大圣人。在中国，孔子被称为仲尼、孔丘或孔夫子（孔先生）。17世纪的耶稣会传教士称呼他为Confucius，这个源自拉丁语的名字已为西方所熟知。 据说在大约公元前551年，孔子生于鲁国曲阜（现山东省），卒于公元前479年。他生活在一个动荡时代之末，称为春秋时期。旧周朝诸侯国为争夺霸权而相互争斗，产生的混乱使许多思想家寻求社会秩序与和谐的基本原则。孔子试图游说各个诸侯国，使君主们相信正确的治理方式。虽然儒家思想成为了国家的官方思想体系，但它从未变成一个具有教堂和牧师的确立宗教。中国学者尊称孔子为伟大的老师和圣人，但并没有将他当作人格神来崇拜。孔子本人也没有宣称具有神性。 儒家思想是中国主要的官方思想体系，起源于孔子及其弟子的教导。它涉及到优良行为、实践智慧和适当社会关系的原则。它影响了中国人的生活态度，设定了生活方式和社会价值标准，并为中国的政治理论和制度提供了背景。它自然融入了古代中国的紧密家庭关系和绝对规则模式中，其中父亲像皇帝一样治理，而皇帝则应该像父亲一样关心他的子民，而下面的人则对两者都要服从。这一信仰体系长期统治中国，主要推崇那些适应静态和理想温和世界的美德，使每个家庭都在统治者的统治下有其位置，每个独立的人在家庭中也有其位置。儒家思想从中国的朝鲜、日本和越南传播开来，引起了西方学者的极大兴趣。 儒家思想的原则包含在孔子及其追随者传下来的九本古书中。这些教义可以分为两组：五经和四书。 五经是孔子时期之前的作品，包括以下著作：《周易》（Classic of Changes）、《尚书》（《Classic of History）、《诗经》（Classic of Poetry）、《礼记》（Classic of Rites）和《春秋》（Spring and Autumn Annals）。《周易》主要是一部占卜手册，可能编撰于公元前11世纪之前。其补充的哲学部分，包含在一系列附录中，可能是孔子及其弟子所写。《尚书》是一部古代历史文献的汇编，《诗经》是一部古代诗歌的选集。《礼记》涉及行为原则，包括公共和私人仪式应遵守的规则。《春秋》据说是孔子编纂的唯一著作，是一部珍贵的编年史，记录了从公元前8世纪到公元前5世纪初孔子死亡时的重大封建中国历史事件。 四书是孔子和孟子言论的汇编，以及弟子们对这些思想的评论。包括《论语》（Analects）是孔子名言的汇编，构成了他的道德和政治哲学的基础，《大学》（Ta Hsueh）或The Great Learning，，《中庸》（Chung Yung）或The Doctrine of the Mean，包含一些他的哲学言论，有序地附有弟子们的注释和阐述，《孟子》（Meng Tzu）或Book of Mencius包含孔子最好的继承者之一的名言。 儒家伦理的主旨是“仁”，被解读为各种意思“仁爱”、“爱情”、“善良”、“人性”或“仁心”。“仁”是最高的美德，代表人类最高尚的品质。在个人关系中，“仁”被视为人与人之间的关系，在对自己和他人忠（诚）或faithfulness中得到体现。端庄、互惠和利他主义在儒家黄金法则中体现得淋漓尽致，“己所不欲，勿施于人”。其他重要的儒家美德包括righteousness（义）、propriety（礼）、wisdom（智）、trustworthy- ness 或 integrity（信）和filial piety（孝）。拥有所有这些美德的人成为君子，完美的绅士。政治上，孔子倡导一种父权制的政府，其中君主是仁慈和尊贵的，而子民是尊重和顺从的。统治者应该修养自己，成为道德上完美的人，这样他才能为人民树立良好的榜样。在教育上，孔子坚持“有教无类”的理论。


术语和表达方式 Kong Qiu 孔丘

Qufu 曲阜

Ducal state 诸侯国

Great teacher and sage 至圣先师

Classic of Changes 《易经》

Classic of History 《书经》

Classic of Poetry 《诗经》

Classic of Rites 《礼记》

Spring and Autumn Annals 《春秋》

Appendix n. 附录

Commentary n. 笺注 Analects 《论语》

The Great Learning 《大学》

The Doctrine of the Mean 《中庸》

Book of Mencius 《孟子》

Benevolence n. 仁

Righteousness n. 义

Propriety n. 礼

Wisdom n. 智

Integrity n. 信

Filial piety 孝

问题

1. “孔子”是什么意思？孔子是如何闻名西方的？

2. 孔子生活在哪个混乱的时代？他是如何宣讲自己的思想的？

3. 儒家思想曾经变成国教吗？哪些国家的政治和宗教相结合？

4. 儒家思想主要关于什么？它对中国文化有多重要？

5. 儒家思想符合古代中国的等级制度吗？它的目标是建立什么样的社会？

6. 五经指的是什么？

7. 五经分别是关于什么的？它们都是由孔子编撰的吗？

8. 四书指的是什么？他们包括什么？

9. 哪一本书构成了儒家思想的基础？孔子的格言都包含在其中了吗？

10. 儒家伦理的主旨是什么？你还知道儒家的其他美德吗？

11. 统治者和臣民应该如何按照儒家的道德准则行事？

Session 2 MW Fri Mar 8 8:00-9:40 room 603

The topics and contents of the following sessions will be determined by the selection of the students.

Session 2 Student presentations

姜睿 93. Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

power point : Media:TCM_2024.pptx

Terms and Expressions

Pharmacology n. 药理学

Pathological adj. 病理学的

Main channels 经

Collateral channels 络

Excretion n. 分泌

Discharge n. 排泄

Syndrome n. 症状（阴阳、表里、寒热、虚实）

Under-activity n. 体虚

Acupuncture n. 扎针

Moxibustion n. 灸术, 拔火罐

Massage n. 按摩

Therapy n. 治疗法

Immunity n. 免疫

Clinical medicine 临床医学

The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine 《黄帝内经》

On Typhoid and Other Diseases 《伤寒杂病论》

The Herbal Canon of Shen Nong 《神农本草经》

Prescription n. 药方

Property of drug 药性

Pellet n. 小丸

Tincture n. 药酒

Syrup n. 糖浆

Gelatin n. 骨胶

Solvent n. 溶剂

Spray n. 喷剂

Pharmaceutical works 制药厂


Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

A rich treasure house created by ancient Chinese people in their long years of struggle against diseases, traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology forms an independent school within the healing arts. It has made outstanding achievements over its 2, 000-year history, during which it has improved continuously to remain widely practiced today.

Traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology incorporates the yin (negative) and yang (positive) theory and the theory of the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire and earth), both containing naive dialectical ideas of ancient China. The former holds that everything has a yin and yang side, the struggle and interaction between which is the source of the ceaseless emergence and change of all things in the universe. The latter says that all things in the universe are composed of the five indispensable elements of daily life, which move and change constantly to promote and restrain each other.

The physiological and pathological branches of traditional Chinese medicine focus on the internal organs, main and collateral “channels”, “vital energy” (Qi) and blood, exertions and discharges. Diagnoses are made within a complete observational system in which the nature of a patient’s disease is determined by the “four methods of diagnosis” - observing the overall way the patient looks, listening to the voice and observing any odor, asking questions, and feeling the patient’s pulse. Treatment then proceeds to balance the “eight principal syndromes” - yin and yang, exterior and interior, cold and heat, under activity and over activity. Other Chinese therapies include acupuncture and moxibustion, which involve the study of “channels” and “points” on the human body, and such methods of treatment as massage and Qigong (breathing exercises).

Traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology embodies a great many valuable ideas and views which have been proved through practice. One of the most important is that, instead of treating only the symptoms, traditional Chinese medicine takes into consideration every aspect of a patient’s condition to form a unified idea of it under the theories of yin and yang and the five elements before deciding on its treatment. For example, in the case of a disease probably requiring surgery, Chinese medicine is concerned with the general physiological changes which may have brought about the condition and, beyond operating or applying some form of therapy, seeks to improve the patient’s ability to resist the disease. Preventive medicine, so highly acclaimed by people today, has always been stressed in traditional Chinese medicine. Included in its preventive measures are giving early treatments, developing physical immunities and “combating evil with evil”.

The experience of traditional doctors in understanding, observing, analyzing and treating disease has been handed down mainly through medical literature. According to an incomplete count, there are about 8, 000 pieces of such literature extant today, most of them dealing with clinical medicine. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, On Typhoid and Other diseases and The Herbal Canon of Shen Nong are the 3 representative medical works written before the third century B. C. The first, the earliest existing Chinese medical masterpiece, was completed during the Warring States Period (475-221 B. C. ). Consisting of 18 volumes and 162 chapters, it laid the theoretical base of Chinese medicine by giving fairly scientific explanations of the physiological functions of the human body, symptoms of diseases and the principles of diagnosis and treatment. The other two books were written in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). On Typhoid and Other Diseases deals mainly with the dialectical method of diagnosis, methods of treatment and prescriptions, while The Herbal Canon of Shen Nong, the earliest extant work of pharmacology, listing 365 drugs, laid the groundwork for Chinese pharmacology.

Altogether, more than 5, 000 varieties of Chinese medicinal herbs are in use now. According to traditional pharmacology, the properties of drugs are differentiated by their “four characteristics” (cold, cool, warm and hot) and their “five tastes” (hot, sour, sweet, bitter, salty). Chinese Medicines traditionally have been prepared in the forms of pills, powder, ailment, pellets, tincture, drinks, syrup, lumps and gelatin. Now they are also prepared as injections, tablets, dissoluble and sprays. Among the many nationally famous Chinese pharmaceutical works are Tong Ren Tang in Peking, Da Ren Tang in Tianjin, Hu Qingyu Tang in Hangzhou, Lei Yunshang Tang in Suzhou, and Jiuzhi Tang in Changsha.

Though Chinese medicine has its own system of theories, therapeutic principles and methods of treatment, the Chinese medical workers were called on to investigate the whys and hows of traditional Chinese medicine from a modern scientific point of view and develop a new Chinese medicine which combines Western medicine. The result is the present co-existence and simultaneous development of the three branches of medicine in China - Chinese, Western and Chinese-Western.

Questions

1. What are the 2 theoretic bases of traditional Chinese medicine? What do they mean?

2. How are diagnoses made in Chinese medicine? What are “the 4 methods”?

3. What does treatment in Chinese medicine proceed to do?

4. What other therapies are there in Chinese medicine?

5. Does traditional Chinese medicine treat only the symptoms? How does it form a unified idea of an illness?

6. What measures are taken in Chinese preventive medicine?

7. What are the 3 greatest Chinese medical works written before the 3rd century B. C. ?

8. What’s the earliest existing Chinese medical masterpiece? What do you know about its history, contents and importance?

9. What do you know about the history and contents of the other 2 masterpieces?

10. How are the properties of medicinal herbs differentiated?

11. What are the 3 branches of medicine in China?

Session 3 MW Fri Mar 15 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 3 Student presentations

李珣 18. Astrology: Calendar, The 24 Solar Terms

power point : Media:24_Solar_Terms_2024.pptx

Terms and Expressions

the Beginning of Spring 立春

Beginning of Autumn 立秋

Rain Water 雨水

End of Heat 处暑

Insects Awakening 惊蛰

White Dew 白露

Spring Equinox 春分

Autumnal Equinox 秋分

Fresh Green 清明

Cold Dew 寒露

Grain Rain 谷雨

First Frost 霜降

Beginning of Summer 立夏

Beginning of Winter 立冬

Lesser Fullness 小满

Light Snow 小雪

Grain in Ear 芒种

Heavy Snow 大雪

Summer Solstice 夏至

Winter Solstice 冬至

Lesser Heat 大暑

Lesser Cold 小寒

Greater Heat 立春

Greater Cold 大寒


Astrology: Calendar, The 24 Solar Terms

1. The Orgin and Development of The 24 Solar Terms

"The 24 solar terms" is a unique phenomenon on traditional lunar calendar, with a profound history in China. Created by ancient Chinese when observing the annual movement of the sun, the twenty-four solar system is seen as a system of time knowledge and the agricultural guideline. It originated in the Yellow River valley, and is the result of people's observation, exploration and summary of astronomy, meteorology, and weather, which is an excellent cultural heritage created by the ancient Chinese people. （Wang Jiahua 2019）

By the late Western Zhou Dynasty, people had already measured the first four solar terms: Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice, Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox. Afterwards, with the improvement of measurement technology and the further strengthening of people's understanding of the laws of nature in the Warring States period, the complete 24 solar terms were basically formed. During the Qin and Han dynasties, a complete system was perfected and formed into today's complete 24 Solar Terms system. (Wang Jiahua 2019）

2. The Definition and Classification of the 24 Solar Terms

“The twenty-four solar term” is a unique phenomenon on traditional lunar calendar. To facilitate agricultural production, ancient Chinese people summarized a supplementary calendar that divides a year into 24 segments according to the sun’s movement on the ecliptic and seasonal changes in weather and other natural phenomena, with 24 segments proportionally distributed through 12 months. (Yuan Jixi 2016, 34-35)

"The 24 solar term" is a unique phenomenon on traditional lunar calendar. To facilitate agricultural production, ancient Chinese people summarized a supplementary calendar that divides a year into 24 segments according to the sun’s movement on the ecliptic and seasonal changes in weather and other natural phenomena, with 24 segments proportionally distributed through 12 months. (Yuan Jixi 2016, 34-35)

A solar term that starts in the early part of a month is called jie (节), and one that starts in the middle part of a month is called qi (气). (Every three years there would be a month which has only a jie without a qi, or a month which has only a qi without a jie, in which case a leap month would be added to regulate it. ) The solar terms are so named that they represent the changes in season, phenology and climate. (Yuan Jixi 2016, 34-35)

The eight solar terms that reflect seasonal changes are Beginning of Spring, Vernal Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumnal Equinox, Beginning of Winter, and Winter Solstice; the four solar terms that represent phenological changes are Waking of Insects, Fresh Green, Lesser fullness and Grain in Ear; and the 12 solar terms that indicate the changes in climate are Rain Water, Grain Rain, Lesser Heat, Greater Heat, End of Heat, White Dew, Cold Dew, First Frost, Light Snow, Heavy Snow, Lesser Cold, and Greater Cold. (Yuan Jixi 2016, 34-35)

3. Folklore of the 24 Solar Terms

The folklore of the 24 solar terms is divided into three aspects: festival folklore, lifestyle customs and food customs. Festive customs such as the "whipping of the spring bull" at the beginning of spring and the "tailing festival" at the end of the cold season. (Ding Yiming, Chang He 2020) Almost every festival has its own special food customs, such as dumplings on the winter solstice and noodles on the summer solstice, as well as biting and tasting spring at the beginning of spring. Following the traditional concept of "the unity of heaven and man, in accordance with the four seasons", the 24 solar terms have led to a wealth of health practices, such as eating liver in spring, drinking water in summer, etc.

These activities can be broadly summarised as follows: worshipping the gods in response to the times of the year, honouring the ancestors and maintaining family ties, eliminating evil and seeking peace, and relaxing and entertaining. Take the Beginning of Spring as an example, it is said that the egg can be set upright on the first day of the Start of Spring, Spring Equinox day and Autumn Equinox day. It is believed that if someone can make the egg stand on the first day of Start of Spring, he will have good luck in the future. In many parts of China, people observe the custom of "biting the spring" on the first day of Start of Spring. They eat spring pancakes, spring rolls, or a few mouthfuls of carrots. Besides, People in China began holding a special ceremony on the first day of Start of Spring about 3, 000 years ago. They made sacrifices to Gou Mang, the god of Spring, who is in charge of agriculture. By the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), greeting spring had become an important folk activity. (He Yannan, Zou Yating 2020)

4. Importance and Values of the 24 Solar Terms

4. 1 Importance in Ancient Times

The 24 solar terms are a creation of traditional farming culture, and their production, development and dissemination have adapted to the economic production methods and social needs in the farming era. They have played an important role in the life and work of traditional Chinese people. (Wang Jiahua 2019)

Firstly, the 24 solar terms are the basic time indicators of agricultural production activities in ancient times, which is also the most basic function and value of the 24 solar terms. Agricultural production is an economic activity carried out by humans according to natural rhythms and the laws of crop growth. The basic requirement of the agricultural production is to keep track of the agricultural time, which means that "if the agricultural time is not violated, there will be sufficient grain supply. " (Mencius - Liang Huiwang). (Wang Jiahua 2019)

Secondly, the 24 solar terms were also regarded as important time points in the daily life of the people in ancient times. Thirdly, for the ancient ancestors, the 24 solar terms were not just a time system, but a much more colourful connotation of life, and an important manifestation and part of their colourful lives. (Wang Jiahua 2019)

For example, the "Four Beginnings"(四立)- the Beginning of Spring, Beginning of Summer, Beginning of Autumn, Beginning of Winter- have always been important festivals in history. At these festivals, the emperors would lead their courtiers to the eastern, southern, western and northern gates of the capital to hold ceremonies to welcome the arrival of spring, summer, autumn and winter. The winter solstice, summer solstice and Qingming Festival are still important traditional festivals today, especially Tomb Sweeping Festival. Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Tomb Sweeping Festival are known as China's four traditional festivals. (Wang Jiahua 2019)

4. 2 Values in Modern Society

In 2016, the 24 solar terms was included in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage List and became one of the most vivid cultural symbols for strengthening the cultural confidence of the Chinese nation and enhancing the cultural cohesion of the Chinese nation. (Ding Yiming, Chang He 2020)

It still has its practical values in modern society. Firstly, as a time-honoured knowledge system with a long history and a customary tradition rich in colourful activities, the 24 solar terms has profound spiritual and cultural connotations, such as respecting nature, adapting to the time of the day, venerating ancestors, filial piety and respect for the elderly, and being good neighbours and friends. Therefore, it is one of the important components of excellent Chinese traditional culture. (Wang Jiahua 2019)

Secondly, the 24 solar terms can accurately reflect the rhythm and rules of nature and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. (Wang Jiahua 2019)

Lastly, the 24 solar terms are not only a time system, but also a living tradition full of rich connotations, which is an important part of people's lives. (Wang Jiahua 2019)


Questions

1. 1. What are the first four solar terms measured by ancient Chinese people?

2. Where does the 24 solar terms originate from?

3. What are the eight solar terms that reflect seasonal changes？

4. When was the 24 solar terms included in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage List?

5. What are the food customs in the Beginning of Spring?

6. Do you konw any other folklore of the 24 solar terms?

References

Yuan Jixi. 袁济喜. (2016). "中华思想文化术语(3)”[Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture]. 外语教学与研究出版社”[Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press. Belarusian Literature and Arts Press] (Yuan Jix 2016:)

Wang Jiahua. 王加华. (2019. 9. 20）"China Social Science Network" http://www. cssn. cn/zx/bwyc/201909/t20190920_4974497_1. shtml

Ding Yiming. Chang He. 丁一鸣. 常河（2020. 11. 17）"Chinanews" http://www. chinanews. com/cul/2020/11-17/9340057. shtml

He Yannan. Zou Yating. 贺亚楠. 邹雅婷. (2020. 2. 4) “China Daily” https://ent. chinadaily. com. cn/a/202002/04/WS5e3901a9a3107bb6b579d18d. html

储守娟 57. Gender: Wu Zetian: The Only Female Emperor of Imperial China

Please upload your power point here: Media:Wu_Zetian_2024.pptx

Please learn the vocabulary, read the text and answer the questions.

Terms and Expressions

  • Wu Mei Niang 武媚娘
  • the imperial examination system 科举制度
  • officials in feudal times 臣子, 臣民
  • Guanzhong 关中地区
  • Guanlong aristocracy 关陇集团
  • North China Plain 华北平原
  • a system of spies 酷吏政治
  • secret police 酷吏
  • Wan Guojun 万国俊
  • Lai Junchen 来俊臣
  • the Manual of Accusation 《罗织经》
  • System of Land Equalization 均田制
  • Gentry 乡绅
  • Modified Chinese characters 则天文字
  • the Collected Tang Poems 《全唐诗》
  • the Collected Tang Essays 《全唐文》
  • regulated verse 格律诗
  • The Blank Stele 无字碑
  • the Qianling mausoleum 乾陵


Gender: Wu Zetian - The Only Female Emperor of Imperial China

Brief Introduction

Wu Zetian (https://www. worldhistory. org/uploads/images/4558. jpeg?v=1623024902)

Empress Wu Zetian (Empress Consort Wu, Wu Hou, Wu Mei Niang, Mei-Niang, and Wu Zhao, l. 624-705 CE, r. 690-704 CE) was the only female emperor of Imperial China. She reigned during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and was one of the most effective and controversial monarchs in China's history. (Mark, 2016)

Politics

One of the most important apparatus of government which fell into Wu Zetian's power was the imperial examination system: the basic theory and practice of which was to recruit into government service those men who were the best educated, talented, and having the best potential to perform their duties, and to do so by testing a pool of candidates in order to determine this objectively. Wu Zetian continued to use the imperial examination system to recruit officials in feudal times, and she introduced major changes in regard to the system that she inherited, including increasing the pool of candidates permitted to take the test, by allowing commoners and gentry, who were previously disqualified by their background, to take them. Another thing she did was to expand the governmental examination system and to greatly increase the importance of this method of recruiting government officials, which she did since 693. Wu provided increased opportunity for the representation within government to people of the North China Plain, versus people of the northwestern aristocratic families, (whom she decimated, anyway); and, the successful candidates who were recruited through the examination system became an elite group within her government. (The New Book of Tang)

Additionally, at the beginning of Wu Zetian’s period of ascendency, Guanzhong was still the stronghold of the most nationally powerful aristocratic families, despite the fact that economic development in other parts of China had improved the lot of families in other regions. (The New Book of Tang)

However, the Guanlong aristocracy was not willing to relinquish their hold on the reins of government; while, at the same time, some of the more newly wealthy families in other areas, such as the North China Plain or Hubei were eager for a larger share of national power of their own. Most of the opposition to Wu was from the Guanlong families of northwest China. Accordingly, she repressed them, instead favoring less privileged families, thus raising to the ranks of power many talented, but less aristocratic families, often recruited through the official examination system. Many of those so favored originated from the North China plain. Through a process of eliminating or diminishing the power of the established aristocracy, whom she perceived as disloyal to her, and establishing a reformed upper class in China loyal to her, Wu Zetian made major social changes.

China during Wu Zetian’s Reign (https://www. worldhistory. org/uploads/images/4649. png?v=1614250808)

Another important characteristics of Wu Zetian's governance is that her consolidation of power in part relied on a system of spies. She used informants to choose people to eliminate, a process which peaked in 697, with the wholesale demotion, exile, or killing of various aristocratic families and scholars, furthermore prohibiting their sons from holding office.

Wu Zetian eliminated many of her real, potential, or perceived rivals to power by means of death (including execution, suicide by command, and more-or-less directly killing people), demotion, and exile. Mostly this was carried out by her secret police, led by individuals like Wan Guojun and Lai Junchen - who were known to have written a document called the Manual of Accusation, which detailed steps for interrogation and obtaining confessions by torture. (The New Book of Tang)

Economy

Many of Wu Zetian's measures were of a popular nature, and helped her to gain support for her governance. Wu Zetian came to power during a time in China in which the people were fairly contented, the administration was run well, and the economy was characterized by rising living standards. Wu Zetian, as far as the masses were for the most part concerned, continued in this manner. She was determined that free, self-sufficient farmers would continue to work on their own farm land, so she periodically used the System of Land Equalization, which also can be called as equal-field system, together with updated census figures to ensure fair land allocations, re-allocating as necessary. Much of her success was due to her various edicts (including those known as her "Acts of Grace") which helped to satisfy the needs of the lower classes through various acts of relief, her widening recruitment to government service to include previously excluded gentry and commoners, and by her generous promotions and pay raises for the lower ranks. (The Old Book of Tang)

Culture

About Modified Chinese characters, Empress Dowager Wu's cousin's son Zong Qinke submitted a number of modified Chinese characters intended to showcase Empress Dowager Wu's greatness in 690. She adopted them, and she took one of the modified characters, Zhao (曌), to be her formal name (i. e. , the name by which the people would exercise naming taboo on). Zhao was made from two other characters: Ming (明) on top, meaning "light" or "clarity", and Kong (空) at the bottom, meaning "sky. " The implication appeared to be that she would be like the light shining in the sky. (Zhao (照), meaning "shine", from which Zhao (曌) was derived, might have been her original name, but evidence of that is inconclusive. ) (The New Book of Tang)

When it comes to literature, Wu Zetian's court was a focus of literary creativity besides her own literary work. Forty-six of Wu's poems are collected in the Collected Tang Poems and sixty-one essays under her name are recorded in the Collected Tang Essays. Although a lot of those writings serve political ends, there is one poem in which she laments her mother after she died and expresses her despair at not being able to see her again.

Anime Figure

During Wu Zetian's reign, the imperial court produced various works for which she was a sponsor, such as the anthology of the poetry of her court known as the Collection of Precious Glories, which contained poems by Cui Rong, Li Jiao, Zhang Yue, and others, arranged according to the official rank at the court of the individuals included. Among the literary developments that took place during the time of Wu Zetian (and partly at her court) was the final stylistic development of the "New Style" poetry of the regulated verse, by the poetic pair Song Zhiwen and Shen Quanqi. (The Old Book of Tang)

Comments

Empress Wu is a real historical figure, a vivid image of literature and art gallery. She is a distorted image of the patriarchal discourse for a long time. Departure from the Wu Zetian’s Female characteristics, from a gender perspective, this image has an important social and practical significance. (Liu Jian, 2013)

The Blank Stele standing on the east side of the passage at the Qianling mausoleum in Shanxi province was built for Wu Zetian. Due to lack of historical records, its date and builder are still unknown, making the stele a mystery. Maybe this is just what Wu Zetian wanted—no one could define her whole life except time and history. (Zhang Yu, 2014)

Questions

1. Who was the only female emperor of Imperial China?

2. Who wrote the Manual of Accusation?

3. What system has been used to keep free, self-sufficient farmers continuing to work on their own farm land?

4. How many poems which were written by Wu Zetian are collected in the Collected Tang Poems?

5. How many essays under Wu Zetian’s name are recorded in the Collected Tang Essays?

6. Did Wu Zetian write anything on her stele?


References

[1] Mark, E. (2016, March 17). Wu Zetian. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www. worldhistory. org/Wu_Zetian/

[2] The New Book of Tang 《新唐书·卷四·本纪第四》

[3] The Old Book of Tang 《旧唐书·卷六·本纪第六》

[4] Liu Jian 刘健. (2013). 武则天形象演变研究(硕士学位论文, 陕西理工学院). https://kns. cnki. net/KCMS/detail/detail. aspx?dbname=CMFD201402&filename=1014211402. nh

[5] Zhang Yu 张宇. (2014). 武则天的“无字碑”真的无字吗?. 中国国家博物馆馆刊(11), 63-70. doi:CNKI:SUN:ZLBK. 0. 2014-11-010.

李嫣然 12. Architecture: Shengjing Imperial Palace

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Session 4 OD Fri Mar 22 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 4 Student presentations

潘彤 63. Landscapes and Tourism: Mogao Grottoes

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Session 5 MW Fri Mar 29 8:00-9:40 room 603

Information: Apr 4-6 is Qingming holiday in China, the Chinese students make up for the missed classes on Sun (!) Apr 7 and 28.

Session 5 Student presentations

牟一泓 30. Chinese Writing: Chinese Characters and Scripts

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李舒婧 82. Literature: Premodern literature: Tang-Song

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Session 6 OD Fri Apr 12 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 6 Student presentations

宋成爽 76. Literature: Ancient Literature - Take Su Shi as an example. Relegation Literature in Ancient China

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罗嘉怡 77. Literature: Ancient Literature: The Classic of Mountains and Seas

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Session 7 MW Fri Apr 19 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 7 Student presentations

胡煜杰 71. Literature: Ancient literature - Chinese Classical Fairy Tales

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罗杨 81. Literature: Premodern literature: Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio

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Session 8 OD Fri Apr 26 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 8 Student presentations

陈卓 46. Fine Arts: Painting

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肖烨 67. Landscapes and Tourism: Tourism, Nanking-An Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties

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Session 9 OD Sun Apr 28 8:00-9:40 room 603

Repetition of Qingming-Fri April 5.

Session 9 Student presentations

李思瑾 21. Beverages: Tea

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谭雅兰 20. Beverages: Milk Tea

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Session 10 MW Fri May 10 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 10 Student presentations

裴心弦 7. Animals: Panda Culture

Please make sure that you do introduce the animal itself, but how the animal is used by humans for example for panda diplomacy or as a national symbal etc. This course is not a biology course, but a culture course! You may even have to rewrite the text of the chapter.

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杨子璇 51. Games: Kite Flying

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Session 11 OD Fri May 12 (?) 8:00-9:40 room 603

May 1-3 is an extended May First Holiday. The class of May 3 needs to be repeated on May 12 (?).

Session 11 Student presentations

雷慧婷 4. Aesthetic ideals and social customs: Marriage-Accompanying Songs in Hunan

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喻鑫众 69. Language: Chinese Dialects

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Session 12 MW Fri May 17 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 12 Student presentations

向璐 99. Minority cultures: The Ethnic Minorities’ Costumes

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陈佳雯 33. Clothing: Cheongsam

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林如茵 23. Body movement performance: Chinese Lion Dancing

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Session 13 MW Fri May 24 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 13 Student presentations

罗淑珍 88. Martial Arts: Huo Yuanjia

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龙雨涵 92. Martial Arts: Frolics of the Five Animals (Wuqinxi)

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Session 14 MW Fri May 31 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 14 Student presentations

卢逸萱 45. Facial Make-up: Face Changing in Sichuan Opera

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段思雅 44. Facial Make-up: Cosmetics, Traditional Chinese Make-Up

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Session 15 MW Fri Jun 7 8:00-9:40 room 603

Session 15 Student presentations

谢香琳 40. Education: Modern Chinese Education System

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Session 16 OD Fri Jun 14 8:00-9:40 room 603

Reflection on this semester

Final Exam OD

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