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Ancient academy goes back to roots
By Xu Wenwen |
May 14, 2012, Monday
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HANGZHOU'S Wansong Academy, the ancient seat of learning that later became a park, is best known as the setting of the tragic tale of the Butterfly Lovers - China's very own Romeo and Juliet.
In keeping with its romantic associations, the modern-day park is popular with couples taking a stroll and in recent years has become a blind date meeting point.
However, this month, the academy, which was founded more than 500 years ago, is re-establishing its scholarly reputation with free public lectures.
Nestled in the hillside of Phoenix Mountain, Wansong Academy is known as where Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, the star-crossed Butterfly Lovers, are said to have met, studied and fallen in love.
An academy - shuyuan in Chinese - is a type of ancient college, private or sponsored by the government, that also acted as libraries. There students not only studied but lived alongside their teachers.
For hundreds of years Wansong Academy was renowned for educating well-known scholars and luring famous literati to give lectures.
But as the shuyuan system decayed after the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Wansong Academy became a park, its scenic location characterized by the hill, trees, bamboos, flowers and rockery.
But now the academy is back. Last Sunday a tea party and traditional Chinese music concert was held at Zhengyi Hall at the academy, the first formal class at the modern Wansong Academy.
The host was Lin Gufang, Zen master from Taiwan, and the president of Taipei Academy - also a shuyuan.
The 2012 Wansong Academy has been decorated in vintage style, yet with modern facilities such as underfloor heating. The initiative is organized by Hangzhou Quality Culture Organization and classes are under instruction from Taipei Academy.
It offers courses in Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Chinese traditional culture, history and art - just as old shuyuan did. Teachers are professionals from Confucian and Taoist associations and libraries.
"A shuyuan is not the same as a college - at a shuyuan people need to cultivate themselves according to some doctrines," said Cheng Jun, director of Hangzhou Quality Culture Organization.
"There's a huge problem in modern society that many do not practice what they preach, and a shuyuan is required to help influence people," he added. "That's why we provide free classes."
Address: 76 Wansongling Rd
Free classes are offered to everyone at weekends, while other classes require membership. To reserve a place, call (0571) 8782-6980 (Chinese only).
In keeping with its romantic associations, the modern-day park is popular with couples taking a stroll and in recent years has become a blind date meeting point.
However, this month, the academy, which was founded more than 500 years ago, is re-establishing its scholarly reputation with free public lectures.
Nestled in the hillside of Phoenix Mountain, Wansong Academy is known as where Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, the star-crossed Butterfly Lovers, are said to have met, studied and fallen in love.
An academy - shuyuan in Chinese - is a type of ancient college, private or sponsored by the government, that also acted as libraries. There students not only studied but lived alongside their teachers.
For hundreds of years Wansong Academy was renowned for educating well-known scholars and luring famous literati to give lectures.
But as the shuyuan system decayed after the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Wansong Academy became a park, its scenic location characterized by the hill, trees, bamboos, flowers and rockery.
But now the academy is back. Last Sunday a tea party and traditional Chinese music concert was held at Zhengyi Hall at the academy, the first formal class at the modern Wansong Academy.
The host was Lin Gufang, Zen master from Taiwan, and the president of Taipei Academy - also a shuyuan.
The 2012 Wansong Academy has been decorated in vintage style, yet with modern facilities such as underfloor heating. The initiative is organized by Hangzhou Quality Culture Organization and classes are under instruction from Taipei Academy.
It offers courses in Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Chinese traditional culture, history and art - just as old shuyuan did. Teachers are professionals from Confucian and Taoist associations and libraries.
"A shuyuan is not the same as a college - at a shuyuan people need to cultivate themselves according to some doctrines," said Cheng Jun, director of Hangzhou Quality Culture Organization.
"There's a huge problem in modern society that many do not practice what they preach, and a shuyuan is required to help influence people," he added. "That's why we provide free classes."
Address: 76 Wansongling Rd
Free classes are offered to everyone at weekends, while other classes require membership. To reserve a place, call (0571) 8782-6980 (Chinese only).
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