A Symposium on The Contemporary Significance of Confucianism:Implications for Harmonious Society, Sustainable Development,and World Peace

On January 24-25, the Confucius Institute at University of Maryland and the Library of Congress, Asian Division jointly held a symposium on the Contemporary Significance of Confucianism. The theme of the conference focused on the implications of Confucianism for harmonious society, sustainable development, and world peace.

The first day of the symposium was held in the Library of Congress. After the welcome remarks from Dr. Hwa-wei Lee, Chief of Asian Division of Library of Congress, and Dr. Chuan-sheng Liu, Director of Confucius Institute at University of Maryland, a keynote speech was given by Dr. Tu Weiming, eminent scholar on Confucianism from Harvard University. The topic of his speech was: Toward a Dialogical Civilization: The Confucian Analects as an Exemplification.

Dr. Tu Weiming started from the style in which Confucius interacted with his students. This style is an open dialogue that has possibilities for novel interpretation and ever-expanding contributions and that leaves great room to encompass great insights. Professor Tu noted that a dialogical mode pervades the Analects, because the relationship between Confucius and his students is central to the Analects. Then Professor Tu discussed Confucianism as a spiritual cultivation, by which Junzi, or Masters, intend to seek good for the sake of goodness, not for fame or wealth. He talked about civility as essentially the work of the heart, not in an instrumental way, but as a process of influence gradually extending beyond the self to the family and the world. He talked about benevolence, civility, wisdom and sincerity as universal human abilities upon which we can build peace.

A panel discussion on Confucianism in Contemporary Society followed Dr. Tu's keynote speech. Dr. Yongju Fu, Director of Confucius Research Institute at Qufu Normal University, discussed the changes and transformation of Confucian Studies in China in the 20th Century. Dr. Christopher Hancock, Director of the Center for the Study of Christianity in China, offered a Christian perspective on how hope is being interpreted and manifested in Confucianism. The second keynote speech in the afternoon was given by Prof. Ruth Hayhoe from University of Toronto, on Confucianism in the Lives of Contemporary Chinese Educators. This was followed by a panel on Confucianism on Peace and Environmental Sustainability. Drs. Chuan-sheng Liu, Hongyu Wang and Kwok-Keung Lau gave their papers on peace, sustainable development and morality to an engaging audience of about 100 people.

The second day of the symposium, on January 25, was held in Maryland Room, Marie Mount Hall at University of Maryland. Dr. Tu Weiming and Dr. Ruth Hayhoe each gave another fascinating keynote speech. A panel of Chinese politics and contemporary influence of Confucianism, and a panel on Confucianism and education, captured the attention of the audience and stimulated active discussions. Dr. Rebecca Oxford helped build a bridge of understanding between Confucius and John Dewey in her speech, and Dr. Jing Lin highlighted Chinese scholars' role as public intellectuals and reflected on the participation of education scholars in policy making and educational reform in today's China. The conference concluded with insightful remarks by Dr. John Grayzel, BahaI Chair for World Peace, about how dialogues of civilizations can help us build a peaceful and sustainable world.