Session 2 - October 20

[Ying Yu]

It is so impressive of the Buddist thread in East Asia culture. After watching the video, I have more ideas about Buddhism. In my hometown, there are many old buildings that are influenced by Buddhism, especially Zen theory. Also, nowadays, young people like to learn from Japanese culture. They believe in simplifying life(断舍离)，, which is the idea of Buddhism. For my personality, it is also influenced by Buddism ideas. I always like to think a lot about the truth behind the phenomenon, and I want to clean up my house a lot. 

A famous Buddhist poem writes: The body is like a bodhi tree, and the heart is like a mirror. Wipe diligently from time to time, and don't cause dust.  

Another one is:Bodhi does not have a tree, and a mirror is not a platform. There is nothing at all. Where can the dust be? 

Which one do you like? 

[Ying Yu]

Hi Dennis, for your question about " Chinese Axis Mundi ideas to fit their traditions," I believe so. More than that, Chinese culture influence a lot in Japan. Like Confucious ideas of loyalty to your masters,  and the concept of Zen (禅)is also from China to Japan. The idea of Zen focuses so much on thinking, and they believe our minds can be enlightened by a sudden understanding, which makes people's thoughts more broadly. Can you imagine that? Wooden clog， Kimono and Susi are also from China.

[Ying Yu]

Thanks for Vin's Videos! I will teach those famous buildings for my students, like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. I will combine with historical backgrounds of why those ancient Chinese built those renowned buildings and how they could achieve those goals. Moreover, as a person from Fujian, I would like to talk more about Tulou. They are fantastic buildings in Fujian. Based on historical records, many Han people moved from the North area of China, like Henan and Shanxi, to Fujian in ancient times. The earlier people were living with local Yue people, and they produce a new mixed culture in Fujian, which is Minnan(闽南) Culture. The culture conveys the old Chinese languages and cultures. Others who were late to Fujian because of war, most of them now are living in the NorthWest part of Fujian, their tongues are different from South Fujian People. Those people are called Hakka. They built the Tulou to prevent the invader. I will tell students the histories of the Fujian People. 

[Ying Yu]

From the reading, I get the idea of Japanese buildings better. Because of wars, plenty of Chinese buildings has been ruined. Thanks to Japan, we can still figure out how the Tang Dynasty looks. From the reading papers, I find that the decoration of old Japanese buildings is the same as traditional Chinese buildings. Like the colors of the upper pillars, they both used blue, gold, red, and green. Those are conventional colors in Chinese buildings. Also, the second paper mentions the use of wood in Japan. In my view, I believe it is because Japan has lots of earthquakes, so use wood to build houses is the safe way.  The picture of wood Japanese buildings also reminds me of the Japanese film Rashomon, which happened in front of the big wood Temple.

[Ying Yu]

From the reading, I get the idea of Japanese buildings better. Because of wars, plenty of Chinese buildings has been ruined. Thanks to Japan, we can still figure out how the Tang Dynasty looks. From the reading papers, I find that the decoration of old Japanese buildings is the same as traditional Chinese buildings. Like the colors of the upper pillars, they both used blue, gold, red, and green. Those are conventional colors in Chinese buildings. Also, the second paper mentions the use of wood in Japan. In my view, I believe it is because Japan has lots of earthquakes, so use wood to build houses is the safe way.  The picture of wood Japanese buildings also reminds me of the Japanese film Rashomon, which happened in front of the big wood Temple.

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