(On October 31, the Chinese studies lecture “Seeking Way in the Mountain of Books · Tracing the Origins of the Philosophy of Mind” was held at the Longxing Lecture Hall in Yuanling. Li Bo—a professor at Nanjing Normal University, a featured speaker on CCTV’s “Lecture Room”, and an expert in the research and promotion of Yangming’s philosophy of mind—delivered an excellent lecture to both on-site and online audiences. Photo / Yi Da.)
On October 31, the Chinese studies lecture “Seeking Way in the Mountain of Books · Tracing the Origins of the Philosophy of Mind” was held at the Longxing Lecture Hall in Yuanling. Li Bo—a professor at Nanjing Normal University, a featured speaker on CCTV’s “Lecture Room”, and an expert in the research and promotion of Yangming’s philosophy of mind—delivered an excellent lecture titled “On Wang Yangming’ Evolutionary Mind over the Past Five Hundred Years: From Enlightenment at Longchang to Preaching at Huxi” to both on-site and online audiences.
In the lecture, Li Bo began with Wang Yangming’s arrival in Yuanling after “suffering from hardships,” and then; by citing classics and drawing on the past to discuss the present, Professor Li focused on the Wang Yangming’s intellectual journey from “Enlightenment at Longchang” to “Preaching at Huxi.” From the origins of the philosophy of mind, the academy tradition, and regional culture, he offered an in-depth interpretation of the formation, promotion, and contemporary implications of Yangming’s philosophy of mind. Combining cultural landmarks such as the Longxing Lecture Hall in Yuanling and the Chinese Book Mountain, he analyzed core tenets of the philosophy of mind—such as “the mind is principle,” “the unity of knowledge and action,” and “quiet sitting to recover the lost mind”—and explained Yuanling’s important place in the history of the promotion of the philosophy of mind, demonstrating the profound influence of Wang Yangming’s philosophy of mind on thought, culture, and social practice over the past five hundred years. The clearly structured lecture was clear in theme, distinct in viewpoint, and rich in content, which won warm applause from the audience. In the interactive session, Li Bo exchanged views with the audience on topics such as the contemporary value of Yangming’s philosophy of mind and the creative transformation of traditional culture, with in-depth discussion and a lively atmosphere on site.
It is reported that Professor Li Bo’s cultural tour in Yuanling, Huaihua, under the theme “Seeking Way in the Mountain of Books · Tracing the Origins of the Philosophy of Mind,” lasted three days. Previously, he had climbed Zhonghua Shushan (China’s Book Mountain), cruised along the You River Gallery, and visited Chenzhou Ancient Street, the Yuanling County Museum, and other sites. Through on-site exploration and in-depth interpretation, he presented a panoramic view of Yuanling’s diverse and profound cultural heritage spanning millennia. On the evening of October 30, Professor Li attended the “Chenzhou Night Talk” cultural salon at Chongzheng Academy in Chenzhou, where he interpreted the historical background, the grand scale of the lectures, and the intellectual core of Wang Yangming’s Huxi preaching, as well as its far-reaching influence on the Wuxi region, and explored contemporary practical approaches and cultural-tourism transformation pathways for Yangming’s Philosophy of Mind.
During this period, Wei Zhaohui, secretary of the CPC Huaihua Municipal Committee, held discussions with Li Bo. They conducted in-depth exchanges on topics including the excavation and research of historical and cultural resources such as Yuanling’s Yangming Philosophy of Mind, the inheritance and innovation of traditional culture, the development of cultural tourism IPs, and publicity as well as international communication. Wei Zhaohui thanked Li Bo for empowering the promotion of Huaihua’s history and culture, and sincerely invited him to come to Huaihua often to give lectures and engage in exchanges, so as to help tell Huaihua’s historical and cultural stories well.
Huaihua Municipal leader Hu Chen attended the lecture. More than 200 guests attended the on-site lecture, including representatives of cultural celebrities from across Huaihua City and responsible persons from the publicity departments of the Party committees of all counties (cities and districts), the federations of literary and art circles, the culture and tourism systems, and relevant departments of Yuanling County.
(Translated by Yang Sigui)