Wonderful! Lin Yu Tang's biography of Su Dong Po is definitely in my list, will check out his take on Confucious. Just too bad that my reading list keeps getting longer as I get distracted 😅
It would be a surprise if we don't see surprises from the White House these days...
To start a war, to destroy, and to smash things is actually easy, but trying to manage peace through mutual adjustment of policies is a whole other level of skill. Lin must be well aware of the Chinese perspective on war philosophy, which is essentially about defense and stability, rather than aggression and attack. No nation can be a permanent winner. The numerous internal and external wars that destroyed the ancient dynasties are just too many.
Reading the reflections on Kyoto and its cultural role for Japan makes me think of Xi'an, or Chang'an, a more accurate name for its historical importance. Perhaps a major difference between the two is that Xi'an was indeed, for more than 1100 years, the capital city for various dynasties and the heartland of ancient Chinese culture. It lost its central role after the collapse of the Tang dynasty. I can say that many locals are still proud of the city's historic glory, but I think it's more important to recognize that it has lost its relevance on many fronts in today's world, particularly in light of new circumstances.
True. Somehow the simple but stark reality conveyed in Harry Styles' song - Sign of the Times - comes to mind. In a way, these surprises from the White House have also been a long time coming but made dramatic and visible under the current administration.
Interesting reflections on the Kyoto-Chang'an contrast! I have some preliminary thoughts and will share with you separately. I don't know enough but given my observations from Kyoto, this ties in to my earlier post 'Small is Beautiful'. Kyoto thrives on the slow but stable mentality - intentionally kept small scale that can be sustained regardless of external shocks. As for sustaining or revival of Chinese culture, I do see hope, especially among Chinese now overseas and Chinese diaspora keen to understand as part of their roots.
Small and piecemeal modifications might be Kyoto's secret! I do hope so. I read that by 2026, the number of Chinese in Japan is expected to reach around 1 million, and some demographic changes may be on the way. There's also Taiwan. They kept some of the best parts of traditional Chinese culture.
Yes! I do see Chinese speakers everywhere in Kyoto now, definitely shifting the landscape and mindset of the city. A philosopher who graduated from Kyoto University said the later stages of PhD in his philosophy track were mostly Chinese students. I was just at a Rinzai Zen temple and we discussed just that - the gradual, slow but steady piecemeal approach so prevalent in Kyoto.
Ultimately, the governance of a country, the external influences/ threats/ war all play a role in the trajectory of keeping vs shifting traditions. Japan has not really been ruled by other countries as opposed to China so that influences how they've been able to stick to traditions. I agree- some of the best parts of traditional Chinese culture are outside of China, Malaysia included, as diasporas long to protect/ keep the traditions.
I very much admire that aspect of Kyoto and the people who were part of preserving their cultural traditions. On some fronts, Japan is an excellent mirror for China to learn from.
It's true. Some of the best parts of the substance of the cultural China (as opposed to China as a political entity) were kept in the diaspora communities in Asia and other parts of the world.
I love these quotes and reflections on peace. And personally think Mencius is such a strong representative of the heart-led philosophy (I’ll write about him soon too!)
Also, didn’t know that about Kyoto, it keeps the illusion up that “it’s always been like that”. I’ll keep this in my mind next time I visit.
Thank you for putting down these thoughts. Very urgent to redefine peace from a concept into a found experience in life.
I am such a fa of LinYutang, I must read "Between Tears and Laughter." His biographies of SuDongpo and Confucius are indispensable to me.
Wonderful! Lin Yu Tang's biography of Su Dong Po is definitely in my list, will check out his take on Confucious. Just too bad that my reading list keeps getting longer as I get distracted 😅
Oh gosh, I know how that is! A proliferating branching of things I want to study. 😉🙏🏻
It would be a surprise if we don't see surprises from the White House these days...
To start a war, to destroy, and to smash things is actually easy, but trying to manage peace through mutual adjustment of policies is a whole other level of skill. Lin must be well aware of the Chinese perspective on war philosophy, which is essentially about defense and stability, rather than aggression and attack. No nation can be a permanent winner. The numerous internal and external wars that destroyed the ancient dynasties are just too many.
Reading the reflections on Kyoto and its cultural role for Japan makes me think of Xi'an, or Chang'an, a more accurate name for its historical importance. Perhaps a major difference between the two is that Xi'an was indeed, for more than 1100 years, the capital city for various dynasties and the heartland of ancient Chinese culture. It lost its central role after the collapse of the Tang dynasty. I can say that many locals are still proud of the city's historic glory, but I think it's more important to recognize that it has lost its relevance on many fronts in today's world, particularly in light of new circumstances.
True. Somehow the simple but stark reality conveyed in Harry Styles' song - Sign of the Times - comes to mind. In a way, these surprises from the White House have also been a long time coming but made dramatic and visible under the current administration.
Interesting reflections on the Kyoto-Chang'an contrast! I have some preliminary thoughts and will share with you separately. I don't know enough but given my observations from Kyoto, this ties in to my earlier post 'Small is Beautiful'. Kyoto thrives on the slow but stable mentality - intentionally kept small scale that can be sustained regardless of external shocks. As for sustaining or revival of Chinese culture, I do see hope, especially among Chinese now overseas and Chinese diaspora keen to understand as part of their roots.
Small and piecemeal modifications might be Kyoto's secret! I do hope so. I read that by 2026, the number of Chinese in Japan is expected to reach around 1 million, and some demographic changes may be on the way. There's also Taiwan. They kept some of the best parts of traditional Chinese culture.
Yes! I do see Chinese speakers everywhere in Kyoto now, definitely shifting the landscape and mindset of the city. A philosopher who graduated from Kyoto University said the later stages of PhD in his philosophy track were mostly Chinese students. I was just at a Rinzai Zen temple and we discussed just that - the gradual, slow but steady piecemeal approach so prevalent in Kyoto.
Ultimately, the governance of a country, the external influences/ threats/ war all play a role in the trajectory of keeping vs shifting traditions. Japan has not really been ruled by other countries as opposed to China so that influences how they've been able to stick to traditions. I agree- some of the best parts of traditional Chinese culture are outside of China, Malaysia included, as diasporas long to protect/ keep the traditions.
I very much admire that aspect of Kyoto and the people who were part of preserving their cultural traditions. On some fronts, Japan is an excellent mirror for China to learn from.
It's true. Some of the best parts of the substance of the cultural China (as opposed to China as a political entity) were kept in the diaspora communities in Asia and other parts of the world.
I love these quotes and reflections on peace. And personally think Mencius is such a strong representative of the heart-led philosophy (I’ll write about him soon too!)
Also, didn’t know that about Kyoto, it keeps the illusion up that “it’s always been like that”. I’ll keep this in my mind next time I visit.
Thank you for putting down these thoughts. Very urgent to redefine peace from a concept into a found experience in life.
Thanks for reading and for sharing your reflections here, Lucia. So much to chew on and contemplate! I look forward to your post on Mencius~
Thanks, Zoe. I will follow suit to go inward and sit quietly to process all of these. 🙏🤍