中国文化英语教程文本

1、Part I Wisdom and BeliefsUnit 1 Confucian thought on heaven and humanityConfucius (551-479 BC), known in China as Kongzi, given name Qiu and alias Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (present-day Qufu in Shandong Province) of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). A great think

2、er, educator and founder of Confucianism, Confucius is an ancient sage to the Chinese people. His words and life story were recorded by his disciples and their students in The Analects (Lunyu). Confucius on Heaven: the source of EverythingIn the Shang (1600-1046 BC) and Zhou (1046-256 BC) dynasties,

3、 the prevalent concept of “Heaven” was that of a personified god, which influenced Confucius. Generally, however, Confucius regarded “Heaven”as nature. He said, “Heaven does not speak in words. It speaks through the rotation of the four seasons and the growth of all living things.”Obviously, heavene

4、qualed nature, in the eyes of Confucius. Moreover, nature was not a lifeless mechanism separate from humans; instead, it was the great world of life and the process of creation of life. Human life was part and parcel of nature as a whole. Confucius on People: ren and liRen and Li are the two core co

5、ncepts of Confucius 's doctrine about people.When his students Fan Chi asked him about ren, Confucius replied, “love people ”. This is Confucius 'most important interpretation of ren. Love for the people is universal love. Confucius further emphasized that this kind of love should “begin wit

6、h the love for one's parents”. He believed no one could love people in general if they did not even love their own parents. Confucius regarded “filial piety and fraternal duty ”as the essence of ren. The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhongyong) quotes Confucius as saying, The greate“st love for people i

7、s the love for one 's parents.”He also said, “Children should not travel far while their parents are alive. If they have no choice but to do so, they must retain some restraint. ”He did not mean that children should not leave their parents at all. What he meant was that children should not make

8、the parents anxious about them while away from home. Confucius said again, “Children should think often of the age of their parents. They should feel happy for the health and longevity of their parents. They should also feel concern for the aging of their parents. ”By ren, Confucius meant universal

9、love based on love for one 's parents. How should people love one another then? Confucius said, “One should be aware that other people may have similar desires as oneself. While fulfilling one 's desires, allow others to fulfill their desires as well. ”He further said, “Do not do toward othe

10、rs anything you would not want to be done to you. ”Thus from oneself to one 's family, from family to society, one should extend love to all people. Mencius (c. 372-289 BC), a great Confucian scholar, best summarized ren as, “loving one 's parents, loving the people, loving everything in the

11、 world. ”Li refers to rituals, traditions and norms in social life.Of these, Confucius regarded burialrituals and ancestral worship rituals as the most important, because they rose from human feelings. He said, “A child should not leave his parents 'bosom until he is three years old. ”He natural

12、ly love his parents. The ritual of wearing mourning for a deceased parent for three years was an expression of the child 's love and remembrance.Confucius on the State of lifeBefore Confucius, only the nobility had the right to education. He was the first figure in Chinese history to initiate pr

13、ivate education. According to historical records, Confucius taught for many years and trained 3,000 disciples. A total of 72 of them excelled in the“six arts ”, i.e., ritual,music, archery, (carriage)driving, calligraphy, and mathematics. A great educator, Confucius has been admired by later generat

14、ions as the “sage of sages”.Confucius believed the basic goal of education was to cultivate “persons of virtue ”, who should have sound character and uplifted minds. Such people should be able to shoulder important social responsibilities and to make contributions to society. Confucius regarded loft

15、y ideals, great virtue, love of people, and the “six arts ”as the general principles of education. Of these, virtue was the most important. His students were involved in a variety of professions, including politics, trade, education, diplomacy, ritual ceremony, and classifying ancient books. Whateve

16、r they did, they all wanted to improve their learning of the humanities and to enhance their virtue.Unit 2 Laozi 's philosophy of Non-actionThe book Laozi was written around the sixth century BC. The author is generally believed to be Lao Dan, or Laozi a recluse who lived duri ng the Spring and

17、Autu mn Period. Few records have survived about Lao Dan, who was said to have once held a low civil position in the royal court, in chare of the archival records of the Zhou Dynasty. Yet, due to his great learning, even Confucius was said to have traveled miles to consult him.Laozi, also known as Cl

18、assic of the Way and Virtue (Dao De Jing), consists of just over 5,000 Chinese characters. Its 81 chapters are divided into two parts, Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue). Short as it is, the book has played a tremendous role in the development of Chinese culture. It became the basis of Daoism, the school

19、 of philosophy parallel to Confucianism in ancient China. The thought of Laozi formed the foundation of Daoism, the most influential indigenous school of religion in China. It has also exerted a direct impact on the characteristics, trends of thought and aesthetic sensibilities of the Chinese nation

20、. Today Laozi still plays a role in the development of Chinese thinking.Naturalness and Non-action“Naturalness ”is an important concept of Laozi 's philosophy. It refers to a natural state of being, an attitude of following the way of nature. Laozi emphasized that everything in the world has its

21、 own way of being and development: birds fly in the sky, fish swim in the water, clouds float in the sky, flowers bloom and flowers fall. All these phenomena occur independently and naturally without following any human will, and humans should not try to change anything natural. Laozi admonished peo

22、ple to give up on any desire to control the world. Following the way of nature is the way to resolving conflicts between humans and the world.“Non-action ”is another important concept of Laozi 's philosophy. It is the guarantee of “Naturalness ”.Laozi said, “(Dao or the Way) acts through non-act

23、ion, ”by which he did no mean that one should do nothing and passively wait for something to be achieved. Neither did he deny human creativity. What he meant is that human enterprises should be built on the basis of naturalness, not on many attempts to interrupt the rhythm of nature. Human creativit

24、y should be in compliance with the ways of nature.The philosophy of Non-contentionOn the basis of “naturalness”and “non-action ”,Laozi proposed the view of “overcoming the strong by being weak ”. The era Laozi lived in was replete with endless wars. Therefore, war was an important treme for philosop

25、hers, and ant-war thinking was the norm. Even the great strategist Sunzi advocated “winning a war without fighting it ”, not to mention the great thinker Confucius, who strongly championed a government based on love. Their contemporary Mozi (c. 468-376 BC), founder of Mohism, also condemned wars whi

26、le calling for “love for all ”.According to Laozi, war springs from humanity 's bloated desires. Conflict arises out of people's struggles to satisfy their desires, and conflict escalates into war. Therefore, Laozi 's philosophy is based on “non-contention ”.To him, human striving and co

27、mpetitive strife is the root cause of decline; desiring nothing is the natural way of life.Laozi said, “The greatest virtue is like water.” He compared his philosophy of “non-contention ”to water, to distinguish it from the law of the jungle. He said,“Water nourisheseverything but contends for nothi

28、ng. ”To Laozi, humans tend to seek higher positions while water always flows to lower places. Driven by desire, humans like whatever they think is superior while despising whatever they think is inferior. Yet water always flows downward. As the source of life, water nourishes all living things on Ea

29、rth. No life can exist without water. Water contributes to the world without regard for gain or loss. Remaining low, level and tranquil, water embraces and reflects everything under heaven. The way of water is completely different from the way of people with avid desires.But the philosophy of Laozi

30、is by no means weak. On the contrary, it is full of strength. According to Laozi, water accumulates great strength in its weakness and quietude.Its strengthcan break down all barriers in the world. He said, “Nothing in the world is weaker than water. Yet nothing is stronger than water when it comes

31、to breaking something strong. ”Water is a typical example of the weak winning over the strong. Water is invincible because it desires nothing and contends for nothing.Unit 3 Chinese Buddhist CultureWho am I? Where am I from? Where am I going?Men are mortal. But death is not an once-and-for-all thing

32、. They enter the rotating Wheel of Six Realms:Heaven, Human, Asura, Animal, Hungry Ghost, Hell.Documents stored in computer can be canceled at will, but what we have done in our life, and actually in our innumerable lives, cannot. What has been done has been done. The information is stored in your t

33、rue “ self n”ot, the physical one, and will accompany you life after life, and determines which Realm you enter. Only when we are completely free from lust, hatred, and folly, can we manage to break away from the capture of the rotating Wheel, and achieve perpetual enlightenment, discovering your tr

34、ue “ self I”n .Buddhism there isn 'atny dominating god who controls your destiny. We are the maker of our own fate. What we are at present is a result of what we have done in the past; and what we will be in the future is decided by what we are doing at present. What we have done form the“ karma

35、 ” , which, like a gene, decides on your future story.But this“ gene ” caonurosfecbe modified, by doing good deeds and obtaining healthy biologicaland spiritual energy, so as to change our future course of career. We are, therefore, our own master. What are the basic requirements for a Buddhist?Five

36、 Prohibitions for the laymen:1) Don 't kill;2) Don ' t steal;3) Don4) Don5) Dont seek aberrant sensual pleasures;t talk irresponsibly; t drink alcohol.Part II Creativity and ExchangeUnit 4 The Silk RoadThe silk road refers to a transport route connecting ancient China with Central Asia, West

37、 Asia, Africa, and the European continent. It appeared as early as the second century BC and was traveled mainly by silk merchants. The term “Silk Road ”, or “die Seidenstrasse” in German, was first noted down by the German geographer Ferdinand V on Richthofen at the end of the 19th century.The silk

38、 road began in Chang ' an (present-day Xi ' an, capital of Shaanxi Province), passing through Gansu and Xinjiang to Central Asia, West Asia, and to lands by the Mediterranean. There were no signs of communication between ancient Chinese civilization and Mediterranean civilization in earlier

39、history. In about the seventh century BC, the ancient Greeks began to learn about an ancient civilization to the east, yet knew little about it. Before the Silk Road, according to archeological findings, there had already existed an intermittent trade route on the grasslands from the Yellow River an

40、d the Indus River drainage areas to the Euphrates and the Tigris, and the Nile drainage areas. Yet real communication between China, Central and West Asian countries, Africa and the European continent did not develop until the opening of the Silk Road. Zhang Qian, Trail BlazerThe pioneer who blazed

41、the trail of the Silk Road was Zhang Qian (c. 164-114 BC). In Zhang Qian 's time, the Chinese has little knowledge about Central and West Asian countries, Africa or Europe, although they were aware of the existence of many different countries and cultures in faraway places to the west.During the

42、 reign of Emperor Wu (r. 140-135 BC), there were 36 small kingdoms in the Western Regions (present-day Xinjiang and parts of Central Asia). All of them were later conquered by the Huns, who then posed a direct threat to the Western Han and blocked the dynasty' s path west. Under these circumstan

43、ces, Emperor Wu appointed Zhang Qian to lead a team of more than 100 envoys to the Western Regions.The mission was to unite the Indo-Scythic people against the Huns, who once killed their chieftain. Zhang Qian ' s team set out in 138 BC. No sooner had they entered the Hexi Corridor (northwest of

44、 present-day Gansu Province), than they were captured by the Huns. After being held under house arrest for over ten years, Zhang Qian and only one other remaining envoy managed to escape and return to Chang' an in 126 BC. Their accounts about the Western Regions were a revelation to Hun emperor

45、and his ministers.In the next two decades, Emperor Wu launched three major campaigns against the Huns, forcing them to retreat from the Western Regions. In 119 BC, the emperor sent Zhang Qian on a second mission to the Western Regions. This time Zhang Qian went further west, while his deputies reach

46、ed more than a dozen countries in South and West Asia, and the Mediterranean.Zhang Qian 's two missions to the Western Regions opened up the road to the west. Emperor Wu adopted a series of measures to strengthen ties with the Western Regions, including encouraging Han People to trade there.Soon

47、 the route was bustling with caravans of camels carrying goods of all types and reverberating with the tinkling of their bells. Through the Silk Road, trade flourished between China and Central, South and West Asian countries, Africa and Europe. In 166, envoys from Rome arrived via the Silk Road in

48、Chang ' an, were they set up an embassy.Part III Art and AestheticsUnit 5 Music: Govern the Country, Nourish the MindThe tradition of Chinese music dates back to remote antiquity. Governing the country and nourishing the mind through music are two of the main functions of this tradition.Governan

49、ce Through MusicAccording to ancient Chinese culture, rituals provided the norms of conduct of people. The goal was to maintain social order.Music was for the mind 's cultivation and expression. Its purpose was to enhance people's outlook on life and imbue them with energy and creativity, su

50、ch that they could enjoy a more harmonious and happier spiritual life. Individual contentment would then lead to social harmony, as well as to a more harmonious relationship between people and nature. The highest level of ancient Chinese music was to represent spiritual with nature.The prominent sta

51、ture of music in ancient China explains the emergence of sophisticated instruments from early times. Chime bells were one example. First used in the Shang Dynasty, they became quite popular during the Western Zhou Dynasty （1046-771 BC）. In 1978, a fine set of chime bells was unearthed in Hubei Provi

52、nce, from the tomb of Marquis Yi, a local lord in a small state called Zeng during the Warring States Period.The Marquis Yi chime bells consist of 65 bells arranged in three rows. The first row includes 19 niu bells, and the second and third rows include 45 yong bells. The bells in each row differ f

53、rom one another in shape and size, emanating（ 发出 ） different tones. In addition, there is a separate and much larger bell used to adjust pitch. Like the bells, the from is made of bronze, weighing as much as five tons or more. The total weight of the bells is more than 440 kilograms. While the bells

54、 bear inscriptions totaling more than 2,800 Chinese characters relating to music and the making of the instrument, the frame is carved with exquisite patterns in relief （浮雕 ） and fretwork（ 回纹细工 ）. Instruments of such a scale and such fine craftsmanship were quite rate in the world at the time. Five

55、musicians were needed to play the instrument. Each bell produces two tones when struck at the respective sound points as marked. The entire set of chime bells is able to produce all the tones of a modern piano.Consoling the Mind with MusicThe Chinese zither tends to create a tranquil air. The compos

56、ition Wild Geese Landing on the Shallow Shore is such an example. With a relaxed rhythm, the first part of the piece depicts a calm Yangtze River under a clear autumn sky. The second part progresses into livelier rhythms to imitate the chirping of many birds. The third part presents a thematic scene

57、 of wild geese leisurely landing on the shallow shores of the Yangtze, as a gentle breeze makes the water ripple. To Chinese musicians and music lovers, the contentment of the wild geese represents the human heart.The zither was also instrumental in communication between ancient scholars and artist.

58、 The famous zither composition, Three Stanzas of Plum Blossoms, was based on an Eastern Jin Dynasty story of the poet Wang Ziyou ( 王子猷 ) (c. 338-386) and the flute player Huan Yi ( 桓伊 ) (?-383). One day the poet was taking a boat trip when he overheard someone on the riverbank say Huan Yi was passin

59、g by. Although the two had never met before, they admired each other as poet and flute player. Despite his lower rank of office, Ziyou sent a family member to request Huan Yi to play the flute. Without hesitation, Huan Yi dismounted from his carriage and played Three Stanzas of Plum Blossoms, while Ziyou listened from his boat. After finishing, Huan Yi mounted his carriage and drove on. Ziyou, too, continued with his boat journey. The two of them exchanged not a single word, yet both were content with the communication of their hearts through the music. The flute ' s th