Academy Upon the Sea—Past and Present

Abstract

Quanzhou Confucian Literary Temple, a block west of Ashab Mosque, on the north side of Tumen Street, showcases Quanzhou’s educational legacy, with life-size wax sculptures of Quanzhou’s literati.

THE city of Chinchew, in South China, lies a short distance inland from the port of Amoy, opposite the north corner of Formosa. It is about the size of Edinburgh, and, like Edinburgh, is devoted to learning...

—Annie Duncan, City of Springs, 1902¹

Quanzhou Confucian Literary Temple, a block west of Ashab Mosque, on the north side of Tumen Street, showcases Quanzhou’s educational legacy, with life-size wax sculptures of Quanzhou’s literati.

Dubbed “Seashore Zhoulu” (“Academy/Scholar Upon the Sea”), Quanzhou has been a wellspring of literary talent and leadership. From the Tang to the Qing Dynasty (about 1,100 years), Quanzhou churned out 2,454 successful candidates in the highest imperial exams, and 950 famous scholars produced 2,083 influential works. Quanzhou also produced 20 prime ministers.

Famous Quanzhou intellectuals have included writers Ou’yang Zhan, Wang Shenzhong and Huang Kehui, historians Xiaqing, Liang Kejia, Huang Fengxiang and He Qiaoyuan, and philosophers Li Zhi, Cai Qing, Chen Chen and Cai Ding. Quanzhou military talents have included Ding Gongchen, Zeng Gongliang, Yu Daqin, Zheng Chengyong, Su Song, Li Guangdi, etc.

Confucius would have been proud! (Fig. 6.1).

Fig. 6.1

Overseas Chinese University

Ancient Confucian Education

Failure to obtain a coveted prize never baffles or discourages the indefatigable competitor. In some cases the contest continues a lifetime with the prize never won. For example at a single prefecture 10,000 candidates presented themselves, under the old regime, at the regular examinations. Among them were found the grandfathers, sons, and grandsons, all competing for the same prize, i.e., the same degree. In 1889 the Governor General of Fukien (Fujian)reported that at the autumnal examination in Foochow (Fuzhou) there were nine candidates over eighty, and one over ninety years old. At still another, thirty-five competitors were over eighty and eighteen over ninety. Such indomitable perseverance along educational lines...has been seldom witnessed outside of China. If ever her educational methods conform to Western ideas...Chinese scholarship is destined to take first rank.

—Rev. Pitcher (In and about Amoy, 1912, p. 84)

Anxi Confucian/Taoist/Buddhist Temple Anxi also has a famous Confucius temple (安溪文庙), built in 1001. Or is it a Confusion temple? A Quanzhou English map has designated it the Anxi Confusion Temple. I’m not absolutely certain it is a typo.

Given that Taoism and Confucianism, two of China’s main religions, are 180 degrees apart in philosophy, it is surprising that in some temples, people worship both. Unlike Confucianism, which emphasizes absolute obedience, conformity, standards, and education to preserve them, Taoism is the Montessori approach to enlightenment. Taoism means “The Way” (as New Testament Christianity also meant “The Way”), and is based on the teachings of Lao Tzu in sixth century B.C. China. But with Taoism the way is relative for there are no standards for proper behavior or right and wrong. All is relative. The emphasis is individual freedom, loose government, and mystical experience.

Not surprisingly, emperors preferred Confucius to Lao Tzu—though not in the sage’s own lifetime…

FormalPara A Brief Bio of Confucius

(Adapted from Magic Xiamen²)

As a youth, Confucius mastered poetry and history classics, and the six arts (ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy and arithmetic). In his 30s, he became a teacher and devoted his life to insuring that Chinese for the next 2,000 years followed suit.

Confucius humbly claimed to be a common man of ordinary intellect, so anyone could follow his lead in seeking perfection through study and conformity to society. But few wanted to follow Confucius’ lead because he was usually jobless, homeless, and half-starved.

Confucius’ failures ate at him. He said: “It is these things that cause me concern: failure to cultivate virtue, failure to explore in depth what I have learned, inability to do what I know is right, and an inability to reform myself when I have defects.”

I think what really ate at him was his wife, who was also homeless and half-starved—not choice ingredients in the elixir of marital bliss.

While claiming to be just one of the boys, the unemployed Confucius said he was unstoppable and immortal until his heavenly mandate was completed. “If Heaven does not intend this culture to be destroyed, then what can the men of K’uang do to me?”

Not much, except keep him unemployed. So, at age 56, he left the inhospitable leaders of Lu State, who still weren’t hiring, and spent 12 years traveling about with a slowly growing following. He returned home at age 67 and died six years later, leaving behind 3,000 disciples who were usually jobless, homeless and half-starved. But they kept alive the teachings that would become dear to 2,400 years of imperial hearts.

Confucians taught a grassroots philosophy that the foundation of society is filial piety. Obedience to father and elders and magistrates and emperor guarantees social order, stability, and peace. Deviations, of any kind (like preferring coffee over tea) insure anarchy.

Emperors loved Confucius’s emphasis on obedience, but his warning that unjust governments would be overthrown did not go over as well. In 231 B.C., the emperor tried to eliminate Confucius’ influence by destroying every book in China, but someone missed a few volumes. Confucians crawled back out of the woodwork, regained the upper hand, and have been stacking China’s deck ever since (while being careful to remove all the wild cards).

My Favorite Confucian Quotes

Fishy Fishing, “Confucius fished but didn’t use a net.” (“子钓而不纲”).

(No wonder he was poor).

On Women: “Girls are the most impossible; too close and they lose their humility; keep your distance and they’re disgruntled.” (“子曰: 唯女子与小人为难养也, 近之则不孙, 远之则怨”).

(Lesson: You can’t win!)

“Aspire to the principle, behave with virtue, abide by benevolence, and immerse yourself in the arts.”

Quanzhou No. 7 Middle School (泉州七中)—a Window on the Future

When Quanzhou Evening News reporter Wu Zehua (吴泽华) heard I was giving three Americans a tour of Quanzhou, he invited us to visit a school. I was hesitant because our schedule was tight and, frankly, my friends didn’t fly 12,000 miles to China to see a school—specially when one was a teacher himself. But we did visit the school, which was tucked away on a small street opposite Goddess Mazu Temple—and that tour turned out to be the highlight of our day.

I’ve long studied Quanzhou’s rich history, but Quanzhou No.7 Middle School offers a glimpse into city’s even richer future. After our visit I could well understand how the school shot from relative obscurity in the early 1990s to become one of the nation’s most innovative schools today. In 2007, Qinghua University chose it as one of the country’s top six schools, with national and international recognition in everything from traditional academic and athletic pursuits to robotics innovation!

The school began on the premises of Goddess Mazu Temple in May 1937, as the private Huiming Middle School (私立晦鸣中学).³ The high school was added in 1948, and in 1956 went public, it was moved across the street to its present location, and was renamed accordingly. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that the school underwent its radical metamorphosis, thanks primarily to radical and visionary leadership.

Leadership The school’s Principal and Party Secretary, Wu Pengfei (吴鹏飞), has a Master’s degree in Education and is a “Provincial Backbone Principal”. And the school teachers, aged 33 years on average, are all graduates of some of the nation’s top teachers’ colleges; 56 of whom have earned postgraduate degrees.

Global Mission The school’s mission is to “Nurture Modern Chinese, Healthy in Body, Spirit, Mind, and Morals” (培养身心健康的现代中国人). “Modern” implies suitable knowledge and competitiveness for modern global society—graduates who are cooperative and innovative. But the school aims not just for “Modern Chinese” but also responsible “global citizens” by developing excellent English and communication skills through an international curriculum.

An International School In 2002, the school was Fujian’ s first middle school to offer a joint program with a foreign school. It has several Canadian teachers, and graduates of 2005 and 2006, recipients of dual Chinese and Canadian diplomas, were qualified to study abroad in an English-speaking country. It further promotes communication skills with activities such as English corners and competitions, an English cultural festival, English arts performances, Christmas parties, etc. Students with exceptional promise can further hone their talents at the school’s modern broadcast and recording studio.

The Pay-Off The school went from 3rd level in 1990 to 2nd level in 1993, and 1st level in 1995. Today, it is one of Fujian’s 12 model high schools and a provincial 1st-level middle school. In 2001, the school’s management received ISO9002 certification, and in 2003 it became one of Fujian’s first schools to be designated a “National Model” school. The school has received 14 national and 68 provincial awards in everything from athletics and linguistics to science and environmentalism.

Academic Excellence In 2005, 64 students scored over 600 on the college entrance exams, with eight gaining entrance to Qinghua University and Peking University and 38 entering the nation’s Top 10. In 2006, student Ceng Chunming (曾春明) scored 673, highest in the province, and 164 students scored over 600; 11 students entered Qinghua and Peking universities, and 42 entered the Top 10.

Students have won numerous national and international academic and scientific competitions, including 18 national and international gold medals during the first few months of 2007. Since the Robotics Lab was built in 2003, alumni have won 45 gold medals in robotics. In October 2006, three students from the school were China’s only students to land gold medals in the International Youth Robotics Competition in Thailand.

The Year 2061 RoboBand (2061 星空乐队) won China’s only gold medal for middle school students at the International Youth Robotics Competition. The robotic ensemble is fully programmable, or it will play along to music played on a CD, with robotic fingers, hands and bodies moving with the music.

RoboFish Explorer (水下观察者) not only won a gold Internationa1 Youth Robotics Competition, but also the prize for “Most Innovative Technology”. Whereas most underwater devices disturb the environment, churning sediment with propellers, this remote-controlled “fish” propels itself gracefully and naturally with fins and tail as it uses GPS or pre-programmed guidance to analyze its environment and transmit video from the “fish” head’s camera. I asked Vice Principal Chen if the robotic “fish” was good to eat and he said: “No. Too many bones!”.

Quanzhou No. 7 Middle School is also developing a Genetics Lab (基因工作室) overseen by four graduate biology researchers of Zhongshan University’s Genetics Lab.

Enthusiastic Alumni The school’s metamorphosis has of course excited its alumni, who are proudly pouring funds in to their alma mater. Alumni donations have helped build the state-of-the-art gymnasium (Fujian’s best), the library, the Hong Kong Alumni Building, the Quanzhou Alumni Building, the Philippine Alumni Building, as well as provide numerous scholarships. During the school’s 75th anniversary, alumni established the 20 million-yuan “Quanzhou No.7 Middle School Scholarship” (泉州七中助学奖学基金)—Fujian’s largest scholarship of its kind.

A large diorama near the front gate displays numerous endangered animals, all stuffed and in natural poses amongst trees and shrubs. I again joked with Vice Principal Chen and asked: “Are any good to eat?” He said: “Of course! That’s why we’ve built this—to encourage students to protect them, not eat them!”.

This diorama, the first and last thing I saw at Quanzhou No.7 Middle School, well exemplifies its holistic values—its emphasis upon innovation and progress balanced with stewardship of resources. I’ve no doubt that the school will indeed produce not only “Modern Chinese” but also global citizens capable of leading China into the new century. So, after you’ve toured historic Quanzhou, explore the Quanzhou of the future—at the school.

Peiyuan High School, just west of Kaiyuan Temple, made me an honorary alumni a few years ago. “I’m thankful to finally graduate from high school,” I told them.

Peiyuan was started in 1904 by Mr. Anderson of the London Presbyterian Mission, and received the patronage of no other than Dr. Sun Yat-sen!

Rev. Anderson’ father was one of the men who had helped free Dr. Sun after he had been kidnapped by the Qing court officials in London. To express his appreciation, Dr. Sun encouraged Chinese to contribute toward building Anderson’s school, and in 1920 he wrote an inscription for the school. In 1980, his wife, Soong Ching Ling (Honorary President of China) wrote another inscription to the left of her husband’s.

Dr. Sun’s inscription reads, right to left: “Tong Da Jin Gong” (All Enter Future Heaven. 共进大同). Madame Soong’s inscription, read left to right, is “Wei Guo Shu Ren” (Bring Up People for the Country, 为国树人).

Anderson Library, built in 1927, was Quanzhou’s tallest building (aside from the East and West Pagodas). It resembles a church inside, perhaps because until the 1950s it was also used for church services.

The Philippine extension was established in the 1920s, and Taiwan’s first of three branches was begun in the 1950s. The school’s recent expansion and renovation has been possible in part because of generous gifts from alumni and overseas Chinese, and the school has recently bought a factory site to the south for campus expansion.

Vice Premier Li Lanqing (李岚清) visited Peiyuan in 1994 and wrote the large inscription that is now beside the 300-year old tree. In 2004, the school celebrates 100 years of producing graduates who have gone on to distinctive careers in business, academics and government, and the school has branches overseas. Many exemplify the school motto on the wall beside Li Langqing’s inscription:

Trust, Freedom, Service (真理自由服务).

Community Service Peiyuan’s motto seems to have also been adopted by Quanzhou Christians. Since Fujian’s church services were begun again in 1979, the province has opened over 2,000 churches, including over 200 churches in Quanzhou alone—and community service is a big part of Quanzhou Christians’ lives. In 1998, Fujian churches donated over 800,000 yuan and over 100,000 articles of clothing to flood victims along the Yangzi, Songhua and Nenjiang rivers. The Quanzhou church donated B10,000 yuan to Anxi’s Bailai County for renovating primary school classrooms, and giving free medical care to Yongchun minorities. Contributions to medicine and education are also being made by individual Christians like cardiologist Dr. Lin Yingwang.

Dr. Lin is former director of the Medical Department of Quanzhou’s No. 1 Hospital, as well as Vice Director of the 10th Standing Committee of the Quanzhou Municipal People’s Congress. Dr. Lin established a cardiovascular clinic in Jinjiang No. 1 Hospital, and has published dozens of papers in medical journals. Other Christian doctors also volunteer their services in clinics around the city.

FormalPara Notes

• 1. Duncan, Annie D. (1902), “City of Springs: Or, Mission Work in Chinchew, “ Edinburgh and London: Oliphant Anderson & Ferrier.

• 2. Brown, William (2000) “Magic Xiamen,” Xiamen University Press.

• 3. The name is from a phrase in Confucius’ Analects, “When wind and rain howls darkly, birds cry unceasingly.” (《论语》 “风雨如晦, 鸡鸣不已”).