From December 23rd to 24th, 2017, the second Taishan Scholar Forum and Zhusi Forum: the academic symposium of “Clarifying the Fundamental Issues——the Analects Study”, sponsored by Confucius Research Institute and assisted by Chinese Traditional Rites and Music Civilization Institute of Qufu Normal University, Traditional Rites and Music Civilization Study and Spread Center of Qufu city and Zhusi Academy, was held in Qufu. Over 100 scholars across China submitted nearly 100 papers, and gathered at the oriental sacred land to discuss “the Analects study” and the study of Confucius’ Confucianism and Chinese traditional culture.
During the opening ceremony of the symposium, deputy dean of Confucius Research Institute Liu Xubing and director of Chinese Traditional Rites and Music Civilization Institute of Qufu Normal University Song Lilin gave speeches respectively. Taishan Scholar Young Expert of Confucius Research Institute Wei Yanhua presided over the opening ceremony.
Liu Xubing pointed out that in recent years, the introduction of Taishan Scholars and Nishan Scholars has added drive to the development of Confucius Research Institute. This symposium has great significance, as it is the important part of the five-year work plan of Taishan Scholar Young Expert and a symposium organized by young scholars. He hoped that the scholars could focus on “the Analects” study during this symposium, gather more academic force in Confucius, the Analects and the early Confucianism to thoroughly explore the study space and promote academic study.
Song Lilin pointed out that academy is the duty of scholars. As the hot issue in academic circle, the value and significance of the Analects is acknowledged by all, and we have planed for the symposium with the Analects as its theme for many years. With the rejuvenation of the traditional culture, more and more scholars are cherishing a more objective and reasonable attitude and the Analects study in the future will develop further.
This symposium took “Clarifying the Fundamental Issues——the Analects Study” as the theme, with the Analects and ethics study, philology study of the Analects, the academic history study of the Analects, study on the modern value of the Analects, and the relative issues of the Analects as the sub-topics, in the forms of thematic report, panel discussion and free discussion.
Two thematic reports were held, the first of which was presided over by the deputy dean of Confucius Research Institute Liu Xubing. Yao Zhongqiu, Lu Weiming, Han Xing, Chen Hanming and Zhou Haichun gave reports respectively.
The second thematic report was presided over by Nishan Scholar of Confucius Research Institute Lu Zequan. Yang Haiwen, Shi Yingyong, Cai Jiahe, Liu Qiang and Tang Minggui gave reports respectively.
The panel discussion was divided into two groups and four sessions. The scholars centered around the theme of the symposium, and made thorough discussrion around the ideological contents, the chapters, the annotations, the historical document and development of the Analects.
The symposium lasted for one and a half days. Director of Chinese Traditional Rites and Music Civilization Institute of Qufu Normal University Song Lilin presided over the closing ceremony. During the closing ceremony, professors of Qufu Normal University Cui Maoxin, Yang Chunmei, professor of Sichuan University Zeng Haijun, specilly invited scholar of Confucius Research Institute, Taishan Scholar and professor of Shanghai Normal University Liu Guangsheng gave speeches respectively, giving testimonies and putting up their academic opinions. They spoke highly of the achievements of this symposium, and proposed very good advice for the carrying out the Analects study extensively and thoroughly in the future.
Dean of Confucius Research Institute Yang Chaoming gave the concluding remark, holding that this symposium has gathered many young scholars and showed the staying power in academic study. The symposium has made abundant academic achievements and many agreements. He pointed out in recent dozens of years, with the extravated documents showing up and constant introduction of new theories and new approaches, we have made grand progress in the traditional academic study. However, there are still many problems in current study of the Analects. He also put up many valueable suggestions in future study of the Analects.
