Let sages enrich us, not polarize us
Raymond Zhou China Daily  Updated: 2005-12-10 06:45

"Guoxue" is sometimes translated as "Sinology," but it actually covers a much narrower area, mainly the study of classics by such masters as Confucius, Mencius, Lao Tzu, and Chuang Tzu.

It seems hardly debatable that an educated Chinese should know something about these centuries-old sages, whose wisdom encapsulates so much of our culture and tradition. Yet, when Renmin University of China set up a school specially for "guoxue," it ignited a controversy.

Who in his right mind would oppose the teaching of the quintessence of Chinese civilization, you might ask? It would be as unreasonable as preventing American students from getting a dose of Thoreau or Emerson, or Germans from brushing up on their Kant or Hegel.

The fact is, for the past century "guoxue" was perhaps more popular in the West than in its native land. Ever since the May 4th Movement of 1911 discredited it wholesale, "guoxue" was seen more as baggage than a legacy for inspiration. These old books were largely responsible for keeping away Western concepts such as science and democracy and helped shackle China in a prolonged state of stagnation, critics have argued.

I would say the radical step was necessary then, but things are different now. Time has given us a more balanced perspective. Take "The Analects of Confucius," which, together with "The Three-Character Classic," is probably the best-known of the "guoxue" works. (Some even mistake "guoxue" for Confucianism per se.)

It is a mine of sagacity. "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." So goes one of the 499 aphorisms, which is remarkably similar to a sentence in the Bible.

But some of the statements are grossly outdated and somewhat abominable. It is an understatement to say that Confucius was extremely sexist. Case in point: "Women and people of low birth are very hard to deal with." Actually, "people of low birth" is a "nicer" interpretation for "xiaoren" here; it can refer to people who are mean or despicable. And to lump women with the low life in one broad sweep is, in the least, extremely chauvinistic.

I can't wait till a feminist scholar jumps on this Greatest Sage.

Any school of thought in the calibre of Confucius offers an abundance of great wisdom, but it should not be seen as absolute truth to the exclusion of other ideas. When every word of any thinker - yes, even Confucius - is swallowed undigested, it would cause constipation of the mind. Needless to say, quotes like this should not be taught to children, but left in the hands of researchers. The problem as I see it does not lie with Confucius, but with the way his thoughts are imparted.

In the 1,000-plus years when the national examination tested only knowledge of the "guoxue" classics, an education and a career usually involved putting oneself through the grind of memorization regardless of one's interpretation.

Unfortunately, many of the newly adopted "guoxue" courses in China's elementary schools are a throwback to the old times, with emphasis on cramming indigestible texts, though not the whole canon, down the throats of youngsters. The ability to recite, rather than to comprehend and absorb, is often placed as a top priority.

Apart from methodology, the motive of some who advocate "guoxue" is questionable.

They tend to view it as a weapon in an imaginary cultural war vis-a-vis Western influences. "Why learn English when we have such a rich heritage in our backyard?" some would say. To them, it is more a symbol of pride than a source of knowledge. As such, a rational attitude may fall victim to blind devotion.

In my opinion, "guoxue" should indeed be taught to young children, but not indiscriminately. Those in primary and secondary schools should receive only those parts they can understand and appreciate - the parts that are relevant today. College students should take courses that cover complete texts, but employ their own critical judgment. It is time we stopped yo-yoing from one extreme to another and treat "guoxue" with a discerning eye of respect instead of with the raised fists of religious fervour or contempt.

"Guoxue" deals with the paragons of Chinese culture. Let it enrich and exalt us, not haunt or divide us.

E-mail: raymondzhou@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 12/10/2005 page4)