by Shenzhan 申展
#1
I am starting an experiment blending language and cultural learning, Studio Mandarin - Renwen Channel, 橘子中文-人文频道，a podcast on Chinese language, literature, arts and culture, in general, covering topics about humanities, or 人文.
#2
This past Sunday, March 4, 2018, I went to a Renwen lecture at China Institute in the Financial District of Manhattan. The lecture was titled “Traditional Chinese Culture – Attachment and Dissociation, 对中国传统文化的爱与怕”, by Prof. Zhu Dake, a Chinese scholar, cultural critics, and professor at Tongji University in Shanghai. ( don’t ask me why I go to the office on a Sunday...I guess, for the love of Chinese culture! I just can’t resist…!)
#3
I have heard of Prof. Zhu’s high reputation on cultural critics, but have never met him in person. In front of a full room, Prof. Zhu seemed to readily charm the audience with his concise and witty comments on Chinese culture, its glorious history, and tradition, as well as its concerning status quo, where the essence of Chinese tradition often gets misunderstood and misrepresented. Meanwhile, the attitudes towards western influence shown in China now, more than anything, signals a lack of cultural confidence. At one point, Prof. Zhu showed photos of people marching in red festival clothing, holding “anti-Christmas” signs. “It’s not either this or that.” Prof. Zhu commented, or in Chinese, “不是非此即彼”。”if people like, why not celebrate both Western Valentines Day and 七夕，it’s Chinese version. In this way, ladies can get presents on two special days, and gentlemen have two days to express their love!” Prof. Zhu seemingly simple suggestion indeed touches a fundamental point: if a culture is sufficiently confident, it shall be more tolerating and open. 有自信的文化应该是更开放和包容的。
#4
Not surprisingly, Prof. Zhu offered three traditional schools of philosophy as one way to rebuild the cultural confidence. Confucianism,儒家，or， in his words， 批判型儒家, critical Confucianism, focusing on the Confucius intellectual tradition to guard social justice for the people, and fight against cruel rulings. Mohism, 墨家, a less known school founded by Mo Tzu, who lived sometime around 479- 381 B.C., right after Confucius’ time. For Prof. Zhu, 墨家 advocates compassion for all, or 兼爱， which perfectly compliments Confucianism prioritizing treating families and friends well. In Confucius words, it would be 亲亲 ，or be nice to people close to you. Last but not least, Daoism, 道家，may be particularly important when reconstructing the people-nature relationship is on high demand, a highly relevant topic in today’s world with drastic climate change, environmental problems, and for some, even a crisis of humanity, given the exponential development of big data and A.I.
#5
Of course, two hours were far from enough to even scratch the surface of these topics. Nevertheless, inspired by Prof. Zhu’s lecture, I am looking forward to reading his new book, Mythology of Ancient China, 华夏上古神系，a two-volume book arguing for China’s ancient civilization’s African origins.
To listen to Prof. ZHU’s entire lecture (in Chinese), please go to China Institute ‘s YouTube channel.
For those who are studying Chinese language, here is a summary of the vocabulary for today:
人文: humanities
中国传统文化: Chinese traditional culture
非此即彼: either this or that
七夕: Chinese version of the Valentine’s Day
儒家: Confucianism
墨家: Mohism
兼爱: Compassion for all
道家: Daoism
Lastly, a full sentence:
有自信的文化应该是更开放和包容的.
A culture with confidence shall be more open and tolerating.
Hope you like this segment!
3/5/2018
Astoria, New York