Relevancy of Confucius and traditional Chinese thoughts

On 30 June 2010, Peking University announced the founding of a Confucianism Research Institute to promote academic studies about traditional culture and explore the contemporary significance of Confucian studies. Most newspapers did not carry the news and those did just give a small mention about it.

So, why should we concern about it? Are Confucius and traditional Chinese thoughts still relevant in modern days? What are the contemporary meanings of these thoughts? And whether they can be applied to our advancement and progress?

To ordinary people, Confucius and traditional Chinese thoughts are too remote. It has nothing to do with them. Furthermore, these more than 2000 years of philosophy and teaching have no applicable value and in a materialistic world like we are facing now why should one upright our value and ethnics?

The western world has experienced Renaissance in the 14th century and the after effect is so great that it leads to the emergence of middle class, capitalism, discovery of America, industrial revolution, democracy, arts and culture advancement, scientific and engineering achievements etc. Renaissance has made the west stronger and powerful. However, Renaissance is originated from the ancient Greece – the origin of western civilization.

In the process of Renaissance, change in language usage also plays an important role. The Renaissance is not using Greece or Latin languages but a new and simplified Italian language in Florence. An old thought and ancient civilization were rejuvenated using another easy to communicate language to spread the creativity, innovation, challenges and adventure spirit.

However, there is no Renaissance in Chinese or Indian civilization. One would have to think of the impact Renaissance bring to the world and then imagine what the significance that the Chinese or Indian renaissance will bring to our modern world.

The Chinese language has experienced some revolution changes in the past 100 years. The new Cultural campaign (新文化运动) promoting the use of bai hua wen (白话文
common and daily communication usage) rather than the use of wen yan wen (文言文based on old traditional writing) in the beginning of the last century. It was later followed by simplified Chinese, Hanyu Pinying, and the latest technology – internet. It has some similar background development for Renaissance 500 and 600 years ago.

It is still too early to tell whether there will be a Chinese Renaissance. But from the economic data, it looks like there will be a Chinese century. Will a Chinese century also bring along a Chinese Renaissance? We will have to wait and see.

In the past 10 to 15 years, there is a wave in leaning guoxue （国学） – a combination of old and traditional Chinese culture, thoughts and values. With the setting up of Confucianism Research Institute, it now goes further, deeper and specialises on Confucius and his followers and their application and relevancy to the modern world.

Hence, we should not downplay and underestimate the establishment of Confucianism Research Institute.