Professor Sun Changwu from the Chinese Department of Nankai University gave a wonderful lecture at the ASU Confucius Institute

Professor Sun Changwu from the Chinese Department of Nankai University gave a wonderful lecture at the ASU Confucius Institute – Buddhism’s contribution to Chinese culture…

– Buddhism’s contribution to Chinese culture At 4:30 pm on October 17, 2013, Professor Sun Changwu, co-organized by the Confucius Institute at Arizona State University and the International School of Languages and Literatures, gave an exciting special lecture entitled "The Contribution of Buddhism to Chinese Culture" to more than 60 scholars, master's and doctoral students, undergraduates, and literature and history enthusiasts in the 60-functional conference room of the Literature and Languages Building. Dr. Sima Delin, director of the Confucius Institute at Arizona State University and professor of the Department of Chinese, attended and hosted this lecture.

>Professor Sima Delin, Director of the Confucius Institute at Arizona State University

Professor Sun Changwu is currently a professor of literature at Nankai University in China, a special researcher at the Religious Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a director of the Chinese Tang Dynasty Literature Society, the vice president of the Ancient Chinese Prose Society, the vice president of the Chinese Han Yu Research Association, the vice president of the Chinese Liu Zongyuan Research Association, etc. He has served as a visiting professor at Kobe University in Japan, Lingnan University in South Korea, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and as a foreign researcher at the Institute of Humanities at Kyoto University in Japan. He has long been engaged in the teaching and research of Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties literature and Chinese Buddhist culture. He is the author of "The Biography of Liu Zongyuan", "General Theory of the Classical Prose Movement in the Tang Dynasty", "Buddhism and Chinese Literature", "History of Chinese Buddhist Culture" (5 volumes), etc. He also collated ancient books and translated and introduced various works by foreign scholars.

>Professor Sun Changwu

In the lecture, Professor Sun Changwu first briefly introduced Buddhism and explained in a simple and profound way what is Buddhism? Who is Buddha? How to practice Buddhism? And how was Buddhism introduced to China? etc. to study basic issues of Buddhism. When talking about practicing Buddhism, he said that the Four Noble Truths are the four truths of life: suffering, cessation, cessation, and the path. The essence of life is suffering, so practicing Buddhism means understanding suffering, eliminating its origin, realizing its cessation, and cultivating the Tao. Then, Professor Sun focused on the impact of Buddhism on Chinese culture. He summarized it into six small points, namely: Buddhism imported new social organizations and monastic orders to China; Buddhism imported new beliefs to China; Buddhism provided rich theoretical resources to Chinese thought; Buddhism influenced Chinese ethics; Buddhism enriched Chinese literature and art; and Buddhism influenced national character. When talking about Buddhism importing new beliefs into China, Professor Sun gave the example of Guanyin Bodhisattva saving eight sufferings. From this, he believed that the significance of belief does not lie in whether it can be realized or whether it is true. It is to give hope in life and encourage people to persevere in difficulties. It aroused deep thought in the audience.

Finally, Professor Sun talked about the attitude we should have towards Buddhism and Buddhist culture. He believes that we should express sympathy and understanding for Buddhism. And we should absorb the excellent things of religion from the moral and ethical aspects. Due to the huge influence of Buddhism on Chinese thought, ethics, culture, literature and art, people who are engaged in Chinese studies should also pay attention to Buddhism.

Professor Sun Changwu answered everyone’s questions

During the question and answer session, everyone eagerly seized this rare opportunity and asked Professor Sun their thoughts on Buddhism and their thoughts on this lecture. A gentleman from the community asked Professor Sun about Zen Master Shenxiu's "Heart as a Mirror". A student from the Chinese Department of Arizona State University discussed with Professor Sun the statement that "Buddhism gives Chinese society the concept of equality"; another student from the Department of History and Religion discussed with Professor Sun how Buddhism affects the formation of New Confucianism. Professor Sun answered all questions carefully and patiently, and suggested that if you are interested in further studying Buddhism in China, you can refer to his two books, namely "Meditation and Poetry" and "History of Chinese Buddhist Culture" (5 volumes). The Arizona State University Library also contains most of Professor Sun Changwu's works.

After the lecture, the Confucius Institute organized a small reception, allowing the audience to communicate more directly with Professor Sun Changwu. At the reception, while enjoying sumptuous and delicious food, everyone gathered around Professor Sun and continued to discuss the various connections and influences between Buddhism and literature. Professor Sun's eloquent quotes and witty remarks occasionally attracted bursts of applause and knowing laughter, bringing this academic lecture to a successful conclusion.