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December 20, 2016

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Fusing ancient wisdom and modern truths

By Xu Wenwen | December 20, 2016, Tuesday | Print Edition

THE “Analects” of Confucius, a collection of the great philosopher’s sayings, believed to have been written by disciples after his death, is considered obscure and abstract to most people nowadays. But 123 teenagers in Hangzhou helped shine a contemporary light on the ancient wisdom.

Earlier this year, teachers and students at Hangzhou Gongyi Middle School compiled a book entitled “Hi, Confucius.” It is an attempt to explain the classical text in modern terms.

“There’s no doubt that ‘Analects’ is an important book,” said school headmaster Pan Zhiping, chief editor of the booklet. “It’s also important to inspire students to read it.”

The middle school began collecting the commentaries and illustrations for the book last year. It recruited 123 volunteer students, each asked to pick one item from “Analects” and comment on it. Some 20 other students with artistic talent were asked to do the illustrations.

The title of the book was suggested by students, who also designed the cover. The book is used as morning reading material for all classes in the school.

It seems the students aren’t the only ones interested in Confucian wisdom. The book’s 3,000 copies were sold out within a month.

That popularity underscores the enduring reverence with which Confucius is still held in China and indeed across Asia.

The philosopher, educator and politician was born in 551 BC in what is today’s Shandong Province. His common-sense philosophy stressed morality, justice and sincerity. He championed family loyalty, ancestor worship and respect for elders. He is credited with first coining the concept of the Golden Rule: “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.”

Sometimes called the “Socrates of China,” Confucius died in 479 BC. Confucianism later became the official imperial philosophy of China and was extremely influential during the Han (206 BC-AD 220), Tang (AD 618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties.

In China, there are countless books written about “Analects.” Most of them give the original version in ancient Chinese, with an explanation in modern Chinese. Some have scholarly commentary about the work.

“Hi, Confucius” took a more pedestrian approach. It covers the original text and explanation, but also includes teacher and student commentaries, student illustrations and an English translation by Malaysian-Chinese scholar Gu Hongming (1857-1928). There is also a blank page where readers can write their own comments.

On one page, Confucius remarks: “I daily examine my personal conduct on three points: First, whether in carrying out the duties entrusted to me by others, I have not failed in conscientiousness; secondly, whether in intercourse with friends, I have not failed in sincerity and trustworthiness; thirdly, whether I have not failed to practice what I profess in my teaching. (Translation by Gu Hongming)

The school’s Chinese language teacher Xiang Ruiyan added the following more modern interpretation of the text: “I look at myself and ask about my social responsibilities.”

And below that student Luo Jiajia wrote: “Since I used this method last year, I feel I have improved in many aspects.”

And on another page, Confucius says: “A man of virtue does not satisfy his appetite by eating, nor does he pursue comfort and ease at home. He is earnest in doing things and cautious in speaking. He keeps company with men of principles and rectifies himself. Such a person may be counted as a lover of learning.”

Student Jin Yilan gave this comment: “A man of virtue cares more about what he gives than what he takes. Like Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, donating US$45 billion to charity after they had their first child.”

Throughout the booklet, teenagers cite experiences from their own lives and anecdotes about celebrities to give the words of Confucius modern meaning.

“When I read ‘Analects,’ I felt ‘great truths’ were far away from me,” said Wang Shuyang, one of the students. “So I tried to apply the words to daily life.”

She used a heroic character from a popular wuxia (martial arts) fantasy novel to explain that “a man should be circumspect and truthful.”

Guan Shenghua, another student, said she felt the notion of filial piety was something obscure until she read Confucius, who wrote: “The duty of a good son means supporting his parents. But you also keep your dogs and horse alive. If there is no feeling of love and respect, where is the difference?

Her commentary read: “I thought that deciding to buy my mother a dress when I earn enough money meant filial piety, but now I think it is a smile or a hug for my parents.”

Illustrations in the book vary. Some of the student artists used an exaggerated comic book style and some imitated the styles of masters like Feng Zikai (1898-1975) and Taiwan illustrator Tsai Chih Chung.

The school encourages parents to study “Analects” with their children in order to set a good example and “better adapt abstract concepts into real life.”

One father said he found himself quoting Confucius during business meetings. A mother recounted her daughter’s pride in being named in the book as a contributor.

The school is no stranger to Confucian teachings. Eight years ago, it founded an “Analects” Reading Group.

“We want to drive students to find their own paths of wisdom rather then us trying to cram something into their minds,” said headmaster Pan.

Or, as Confucius said: “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”

Hangzhou


 

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