An Outline of Traditional Chinese Culture

1. An Outline of Traditional Chinese Culture Dr. Su Yonggang, Prof. Wei Guiying, et al. syg@sdu.edu.cnsygsdu@gmail.com

2. Introduction • Defining Traditional Chinese Culture • Course Objectives • Subjects Concerned • Teaching Style & Processes • Schedule of the Course • Course Assessment • Requirements

3. Defining Traditional Chinese Culture • What is Culture? "Culture has been defined, most simply, as the learned and shared behavior of a community of interacting human beings"(Useem, J., & Useem, R. (1963). ) "Culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one category of people from another." (Hofstede, G.(1984)) "Culture...consists in those patterns relative to behavior and the products of human action which may be inherited, that is, passed on from generation to generation independently of the biological genes” (Parson, T. (1949). )

4. What is Culture? Some conceive of culture as separating humans from non-humans. Some define it as communicable knowledge. Some as the sum of historical achievements produced by man’s social life. In a word: culture is learned, shared, and transmitted from the generation to the next.

5. Defining Traditional Chinese Culture • What Are the Subjects of Culture? • language and dialect • belief • value • tradition • custom • institution • …that are considered to be characteristic of a community, a people, a region, or a nation.

6. Defining Traditional Chinese Culture • What is Tradition? A tradition is a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. Common examples include holidays or impractical but socially meaningful clothes (like lawyer wigs or military officer spurs), but the idea has also been applied to social norms such as greetings. Traditions can persist and evolve for thousands of years — the word "tradition" itself derives from the Latintradere or traderer literally meaning to transmit, to hand over, to give for safekeeping. (From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) http://www.wikipedia.org/

7. Defining Traditional Chinese Culture lawyer wigs military officer spurs

8. Defining Traditional Chinese Culture • How will you define Traditional Chinese Culture? Traditional Chinese culture is one of the world's oldest cultures. The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographical region in eastern Asia with customs and traditions varying greatly between provinces, cities, and even towns. • What are the components of Traditional Chinese Culture? Important components of Chinese culture include literature, music, visual arts, martial arts, cuisine, etc.

9. Course Objectives • When talking with foreigners, a person’s cultural background is his or her most recognizable identity. It will be most desirable for a Chinese student to discuss traditional Chinese cultural topics in fluent English. However, they often find it difficult to express themselves properly. This course aims to solve this problem. • This course intends to help students to (1) know more traditional Chinese culture, and (2) get to know how to express them in English.

10. Subjects concerned • Historical figures and stories • Traditional Chinese Folk Arts • Chinese Traditional Festivals • 4 Great/major inventions • Traditional Chinese Medicine • Folk handicraft (paper cutting etc.) • Culinary Culture: Chinese Cuisines • Chinese Tea Culture • Chinese Wine Culture • Ancient Architecture • The Calendar and 24 Solar terms • … …

11. References • 1. 中国文化典籍英译，王宏印，外语教学与研究出版社 • 2. 中国文化通览，杨敏等，高等教育出版社 • 3. 中国文化导读，主编 杨恩华等，清华大学出版社 • 4. 每天读点中国文化(中英文)，大连理工大学出版社 • 5. 中外文化经典翻译教程，王宏印编著，高教社 • 6. 英释中国传统文化，何其亮等，浙江大学出版社 • 7. 中国传统文化，张岂之主编，外文出版社 • 8. 山东大学本科生院课程中心平台 • 9. http://www.cultural-china.com/ • ……

12. Teaching Style & Processes • Professor’s Lecture • Students’ Presentation • Other In-class Activities • After-class Activities

13. Schedule of the Course Total: 32 hours Teaching hours： 2X15=30 hours Exam hours： 2 hours

14. Course Assessment Students’ attendance of class and homework (10%) Class presentation (20%) Term Test (70%) Note： • Regular attendance is required. Absence without asking for leave for one time will make you lose 1 point. • Writing assignment, whether for in-class or after-class practice, should be finished in time. Late or undone wok will make you get less points.

15. Requirements • Regular attendance; Independent accomplishment of assignments; Active participation in classroom activities; Efforts in improving your English proficiency.

16. Chinese Culture Overview • China:9,600,000 square kilometers, is proud of five thousand years’ history. • 56 ethnic groups:living in China have developed their own customs. Too many culture elements!

17. Brief Contents • 1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy: Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism • 2. Chinese cuisine. • 3. Chinese arts and crafts: Painting, Calligraphy, Operas, martial arts (Kongfu)

18. 1. Religion and Philosophy • China has an approximately 4100-year recorded history. • Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are the three great thoughts. Most social values are derived from Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

19. The Leading Figures Confucius Shakyamuni Confucianism Taoism Buddhism

20. 1.1 Confucianism Confucius • Confucianism (儒家; pinyin: Rújiā) is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of Confucius (Kǒng Fūzǐ, lit. "Master Kong", 551–478 BC). • It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia.

21. Teachings of Confucianism Ren 仁 (benevolence, love) & Li 礼 (rites)---respect for the system of social hierarchy. • The basic clou (main idea) of Confucianism stresses the importance of the individual moral development, so that the state can be governed by moral virtue rather than by the laws. • Golden mean (philosophy中庸之道): the felicitous middle between the extremes of excess and deficiency. “Rid the two ends, take the middle one.” • Relationships are central to Confucianism. Particular duties arise from one's special situation in relation to others. • 论语 [lún yǔ] TheAnalectsofConfucius

22. Works of Confucianism 论语 [lún yǔ] The Analects of Confucius • 子曰：“学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？人不知而不愠，不亦君子乎？”（《学而》） • Confucius, an ancient Chinese sage said, “Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned? Isn’t it always a pleasure to greet a friend from afar? Isn’t he a gentleman who is not angry at not being recognized?” • “Is it not a delight to acquire knowledge and put it into practice? Is it not a pleasure to have friends come from afar? Is he not a gentleman who is not angry at not being recognized?”

23. Works of Confucianism 论语 [lún yǔ] The Analects of Confucius • 子曰：“学而不思则罔,思而不学而殆。” • Confucius said, “He who learns without thinking will be bewildered; he who thinks without learning will be in danger.” • 孔夫子说过，“人无远虑，必有近忧。” • As Confucius said, “People who do not think far enough ahead inevitably have worries near at hand.” • 子曰：良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行。 • Confucius said: “Just as bitter medicine cures sickness, so unpalatable advice benefits conduct.”

24. 1.2 Taoism Lao Zi • Laozi (老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ;) was a philosopher of China around 6th century B.C. and is a central figure in Taoism. • Laozi literally means "Old Master" and is generally considered an honorific. • Taoism is the Chinese religion which believes in ghosts and spirits. It emphasized cooperation with the natural forces.

25. Teachings of Taoism Wu wei (无为; pinyin: wúwéi) is a central concept in Taoism. The literal meaning of wu wei is "without action". It is often expressed by the paradox wei wu wei, meaning "action without action" or "effortless doing".

26. Teachings of Taoism 元始天尊：Yuan-shi tian-zong ；Primus ；Superiorman Symbol of Taoism: Taiji Bagua

27. Founders of Taoism 玉清元始天尊：Yuan-shi tian-zong /Primus /God of originality （the middle） 上清灵宝天尊Lingbao Tian-zong/ God of spirituality (the right) 太清道德天尊（太上老君）Dao-de Tian-zong/ God of morality (the left)

28. 1.3 Buddhism Shakyamuni • Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Shakyamuni (Gautama), commonly known as the Buddha. • Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.

29. Buddhism in China • Buddhism is the most important religion in China. It is generally believed that it was spread to Central China in 67 AD during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.). • During its development in China, it has a profound influence on traditional Chinese culture and thoughts, and has become one of the most important religions in China. Journey to the West

30. Teachings of the Buddha King of Monkey Life is filled with suffering. Suffering is caused by people’s wants. • Buddhism promotes code of conduct in life. That is what they call Five Precepts of avoiding killing, stealing, indulging, lying and alcohol drinking. It leads to self-understanding.

31. Character in the Journey to the West 道德天尊（太上老君） Dao-de Tian-zong/ God of morality A funny song of Journey to the West

32. Chinese cuisine • Chinese culinary arts are famous all over the world. Chinese dishes appeal to the senses through sight, smell, taste, texture. • Chinese cuisine includes a variety of different flavors due to China's vast geography and diverse nationalities. Local dishes with their own distinctiveness can be roughly divided into eight regional cuisines. 业务 流程

33. Chinese Eight Regional Cuisines Jiangsu Anhui Hunan Known for sour and spicy dishes High cutting techniques Nutritious food large meatball Yi xiang fish Fujian Zhejiang peculiar about soup light, crisp, elegant Tai bai fish Sichuan Spicy-hot Tremella and quail eggs soup Dong po Pork Shandong Guangdong excellent seafood Delicacies Chicken with chili sauce Sea pumpkin Fotiaoqiang

34. Beijing Roast Duck Beijing Roast duck is thought to be one of the most delicious dishes all over the world; most visitors coming to Beijing will never forget to have a try.

35. Dining Etiquette • If you are the guest, wait to be seated as hierarchy is involved . • Eating usually begins once the host offers the first drink. • 3. Let older people eat first, or if you hear an elder say "let's eat", you can start to eat. • 4. When helping yourself to the dishes, you should take food first from the plates in front of you rather than those in front of others. • 5. Do not stick chopsticks vertically into your food, especially not into rice, as this will make Chinese think of funerals.

36. Chinese arts and crafts • Traditional Festival: Spring Festival 2. Chinese Folk Arts: Beijing Opera, Martial Arts 3. Chinese crafts: Painting, Embroidery, China • Chinese Architecture

37. Spring Festival • There are many traditional festivals in China, such asSpring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival. • But Spring Festival, also known as Chinese new year, is the most important in our culture, just as important as Christmas Day in western culture.

38. Spring Festival couplets The origin of Spring Festival—”Nian”, lunar year. Celebration—reunion and thanksgiving • New Year's Eve Dinner • Fireworks • Dui Lian Chinese Dumpling -- the most important foods in Chinese New Year Fireworks are used to scare the beast “Nian” and to get rid of ill luck Traditional Festival Reflect the best wishes to the upcoming year

39. Chinese Folk Arts Two special arts Chinese folk arts Martial Arts (Kung Fu) Beijing Opera Traditional Festival 业务 流程

40. Beijing Opera • Beijing opera is the most influential opera in China and has a history of around 200 years. It synthesizes the arts of singing, dancing, recitation, martial arts, and instrumental music. Symbolism dominates the motions and stage designs. • There are four main roles in Beijing Opera: • Sheng: is the male role in Beijing Opera. • Dan:is all female roles. • Jing:is known as hualian, a role with a painted face, who is a man of special character, features and personality. • Chou:is also called xiaohualian. A chou may be a kind-hearted, humorous and funny fellow ( some time likes buffoon).

41. Beijing Opera • Sheng (生) • Dan (旦) • Jing (净) • Chou (丑) • The facial painting is worth appreciating for its artistic value

42. Martial Arts (Kung Fu ) • Anyone who has seen classical Chinese Kung Fu movies will be deeply impressed by the Chinese Wushu, which is called Kung Fu or Chinese martial arts in the west. Do you know Bruce Lee, Jet Li or Jackie Chan?

43. Martial Arts (Kung Fu ) • Kung Fu is an important and unique component of Chinese cultural heritage with centuries of cultural history attached. • Kung Fu not only includes physical exercise but also Chinese philosophy, meditation and aesthetics. • Kung Fu’spurpose from self-defense to health maintenance and finally as method of self-cultivation.

44. Chinese Architecture • A Chinese structure is based on the principle of balance and symmetry. • Office buildings, residences, temples, and palaces all follow the principle that the main structure is the axis. • The secondary structures are positioned as two wings on either side to form the main room and yard. 业务 流程

45. The Forbidden City

46. The Great Wall • The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the world, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years.

47. Painting, Embroidery, China painting embroidery china

48. Home of Shandong Universitywww.sdu.edu.cn

49. How to find the home of the coursehttp://www.bkjx1.sdu.edu.cn

50. How to find the home of the coursehttp://course.sdu.edu.cn/G2S/ShowSystem/Index.aspx