spiritually: firstly, the type of person one wishes to become;
secondly, the type of life one wishes to lead; thirdly, the
type of society one wishes to build; and lastly, the path one
wishes to take to promote world harmony. Building on these
understandings, we should honor our words and thoughts
in our actions, and pursue a more meaningful life that is
intellectually and spiritually fulfilling.
Q: How would you explain the endurance of
Chinese culture over time?
A: In my understanding, the intrinsic reason for the endurance
of Chinese culture is its evolution. Generation after generation,
people have incorporated their own thoughts, sentiments,
intellect and essence into the magnificent tower that is the
Chinese culture. It is important to note that Chinese culture has
never been isolated, and has never stopped drawing from the
essence of other cultures. Even over 3000 years ago, King Mu
of the Zhou Dynasty had already traveled to the West where he
studied and incorporated significant parts of Western culture
during his journeys. It is this inclusive tradition of learning
from others that has helped Chinese culture evolve into what
it is today. On the contrary, if we look at world cultures only
through the Chinese perspective and indulge in a sense of
cultural superiority, we will lose the very essence of Chinese
culture.
Q: However there are many who feel that there
is something missing in Chinese culture. Would
you agree? In your opinion, what is missing?
A: I would use the term “weakness” rather than “missing.” The
weakness we are faced with in modern times is the lack of a
scientific and effective approach to carry on the rich legacy of
Chinese traditional culture.
Instead of perceiving world cultures through a Chinese lens,
it is vital to adopt a global perspective when considering our
own culture. We should not only draw from the essence of
world cultures, but also remain critical of the dregs of Chinese
culture. However, the current trend in advocating traditional
culture seems to believe that all things traditional should be
cherished. As a result, many traditions that should have been
abandoned still continue today. For instance, students are
forced to perform the kowtow ritual as a way to pay tribute to
Confucius, which, in my opinion, is a violation of their dignity.
Or, in order to promote the reading of Chinese classics, children
are required to recite works including Standards for Being a
Good Student and Child, The 24 Exemplars, the four books
and five classics, and more without forming critical thinking
skills that enable children to question outdated principles.
Furthermore, I believe that the utmost strength of Chinese
culture lies in its potential to benefit modern society. That is
why during my lectures at Keystone Academy, I focused on
Confucius and Confucian philosophy, Chinese characters, the
spirit of the Chinese nation and the importance of being a man
of his word, for these are the quintessential embodiments of
what is uniquely Chinese. These are the elements that will
effectively carry on the Chinese heritage as well as benefit
modern society.
Q: A strong foundation in Chinese history,
culture, literature, philosophy and society
is one of the keystones of the school. From
your experience, what sort of grounding in
Chinese culture should students – Chinese and
expatriates – acquire?
A: It is very difficult to quantify the depth of understanding
and appreciation, as the study of traditional culture is always
an ongoing process. However, any student who truly wants
to comprehend Chinese culture must understand its essence.
Take the knowledge of Chinese characters, for instance.
Ideally, students should be able to explain why the character
for ‘home/family’, combines the character for ‘roof’ above
and the character for ‘pig’ below. This true essence also lies
in understanding ‘the spirit of the Chinese nation’ with its
notions of self-discipline, social commitment, altruism as
well as dignity and integrity in the face of material wealth
and authority. This is the most precious legacy from the rich,
long tapestry of China’s history. This is why it is important for
students to grasp the true meaning of Chinese culture, to feel
the influence of its lofty ideals, and to live their lives true to
its teachings. The reading list I have designed for students at
Beijing No.4 High School covers an extensive range of Chinese
cl