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Stella CastroGenaro, I too felt that same feeling you stated in regards to the Huntington library, when you wrote, “it’s as if one has transported to another time, (epoch), it truly felt like that. This place is beautiful; however, walking the gardens, it really did feel as if I was in another time and place. I got the feeling of pure solitude, although I was walking amongst many others, as this place had quite a lot of visitors that day. But I keep experiencing, peace and quiet, almost as if I was inside a temple/church. I could totally understand why the Asian culture/s portrays a mindful, peaceful serenity, and sincerity. The feeling I got as I walked around the garden/s was that of great strength and wisdom, although I am not scholar, emperor, or ruler. The reading about Confucianism could truly relay to this feeling/s I had and felt that day. I could totally understand why some people would choose to become monks. My group also had an excellent docent that was very knowledgeable, (don’t remember her name), but she told us so many important details and difference about the Chinese and Japanese gardens. For instance; that the Japanese utilized rocks in their gardens, while the Chinese do not.
It was also very interesting to learn that in one section of the Huntington gardens, the rocks were brought in from China, to build the structures. Our docent told us that they are working on expanding the garden/s., which I’m sure you docent also told your group.
Stella CastroI also found this reading to be quite interesting. I was brought up to think that respect for the elderly is of the utmost importance even if these elderly are not one’s parents. But it is also just as important to respect one’ parents. I have also known that in the Chinese culture there is much respect and loyalty for one’s parents, but not to the extreme as depicted in the cartoon readings but I found the cartoons readings to be quite amusing. . But now by the readings and the lectures I am beginning to understand just how much this Filial piety is so important in the Chinese culture, (this is also portrayed in the movies). All the devotion, care, obedience and, respect, naturally goes hand in hand for social order and justice, and respecting none’s superiors helps in an orderly civilization. However, prior, I did not know that this devotion to family, this filial piety of the family affects Chinese politics and there philosophies.
I think that my students would be more receptive to learning about filial piety, and devotion, because some of the readings are in a cartoon manner, and the characters are in traditional Chinese dress attire, which I know they will find amusing.
Stella CastroJuan I always find that using maps help my students to see and better understand the lesson/s, or just the pain use of a map they find interesting and alluring. I teach special education, and my students have severe disabilities. Therefore they require many visuals to better understand anything we talk, about, or what I try to teach them. Maps are useful for my students as maps are colorful. Of course I have to explain to them how the, “Key”of the map works many times. But I do not mind doing this, as I want them to understand the lesson/s as much as possible. Being special education students, still require the exposure to many and all subjects and topics, even if they don’t understand. I imagine Mr. Dube did a great job in the usage of maps for the lecture part of the session,( as I was not present), but knowing how well Mr. Dube presents I am sure he did a great job.
You are right that using a map triggers student’s curiosities, as they want to learn more and this is when they ask more questions. Once they start asking the questions, I feel as if I have caught them, that I have their full and undivided attention and that is when the learning process begins, ( at least in my mentality of my students).
Since I wasn’t present at the lecture, I assume from your posting that Mr. Dube presented more than one map, as you speak of” sets of maps”, and like you I also think it would be a great idea to have several maps that pertain to the different terrains, localities, and agriculture influences to better help the students to understand the lesson/s and expand their knowledge. Thanks for bringing up the topic of Maps.
Stella CastroWhile there were no readings prior to today’s session,(as Ms. Catherine stipulated in the forum) and to refer to the past readings for today’s session. As always today’s session was quite interesting. First of all while I was still enthralled with the morning session presenters, (Smba, Bill Blakies, and Ms. Hornby, Mr. Dube did a good job as always, in giving us all pertinent information, pertaining to today’s topic/s, that being, “The Shunzhi Emperors”, and prior information on previous lectures. Today’s session continued about the Qing Dynasty, (I apologize if I did not spell it correctly). However, towards the end of the lecture Mr. Dube mentioned on the previous reading about “Emperor Qianlong: Letter to George III, 1793”, which I found this reading /letter to be such an interesting and great reading. I love this reading.
I really enjoyed the emperors’ responses to the writer, (King George), as it all really made quite great sense once one analyzes the emperor’s responses. The emperor was not being mean or unreasonable, on the contrary, the emperor, was quite reasonable with his response to King George. The emperor was not retaliating back, but simply answering the questions with the facts that were to happen if the king went ahead with his intensions. To date this is one of the best readings I have read. I have read it a couple of times just so that I can enjoy the mockery of Emperor Qianlong, I feel of the emperor when I read this reading/letter. The enlightenment the emperor was reciprocating to King George.
I reiterate, I love this reading. I think I will leave this reading in my coffee table, so that when company comes over, they can pick it up and read it and then we can have a good conversation about the reading.
I can utilize this reading to teach my students about pleasantries towards one another, of one’s alliances, and how to be just and fair to one another and each other.
Stella Castro- In this lecture I learned that there was a woman named, Ban Zhao, who wrote a guide for women, and she believed that women should be educated. She was the first women to have her own voice, (actually she is/was the first known Chinese woman, historian. This woman has many credits to her name). However at the time I guess woman were not allowed to speak for themselves, much less write about things, and so she got punished, accepted the punishment, and then continued to write. I say, “Good for her”. Nowadays women have their own voices and speak, say and write what they want; however, I do not believe women are punished for their voicing themselves, as now we have all kinds of laws and regulations, and “Freedom of Speech”, unlike in the past.
An interesting thing I also learned in this lecture was that most Chinese people (about (90%) believe they are of Han ethnicity, although many do not want to be. It was also interesting to lane about the different dynasties, and how Genghis Khan, a Mongol, never ruled China, but his youngest son did.
Stella CastroWow, I was really impressed with the readings from this session as I started out with one I thought, “Wow, this one is good”, and as I progressed with the readings, they just kept getting better and better., and I thought , “Wow this one is better”. The reading that I thoroughly enjoyed was, ”Commercial Activities” where it describes the contacts of certain situations, and then goes on to describe what action will be taken upon the perpetrator I was in awe with this reading as it seemed as if there was a contract for many and any available circumstance/s. Like who would of thought of a contract for the purchase of a Concubine yet there it was in this reading. Nowadays, if such a contract existed, there would be protest after [protest, suing, not to mention the illegality of such a thing, and more than likely it would just be phrased as a,” lady of the night to be put in nice terms, instead of a ‘Prostitute, or a “W---E”). Also the contract for the sale of one’s son for adoption. While it is true that adoptions exist nowadays, they are not written up as, “A Sale”, even though the people do get paid for the caring of such a child of adoption, or at least they do get some kind of monetary compensation, and/or tax benefits. I was just as impressed with the ‘Tenants” reading and the reading of “Proclamations of the Hongwu Emperor”. Where the author writes about how he never took advantage of a woman, except when because of a rage the author had over an invasion, he took the concubine of the invader, but then he questioned himself for his own action.
Stella CastroI found it the readings of this session to be quite interesting especially the one of “Chinese Philosophy” article was very through in describing the four major schools of thought. It was such an insightful reading, and I really enjoyed reading about the Confucianism. It made me laugh to read about how in those school of thought was the loyalty to ones father, granted at that time this would of made a lot of sense, but the reason why I laughed was because nowadays, I do not think the loyalty would exist for the father, now the loyalty existed for one-self. People nowadays think only of themselves, they are their own kings. Their own rulers, they obey themselves and it is really funny to read that back then the women were to be loyal first to their fathers, and then their husbands, Now if the husband is not their number one then there are divorces, extra marital affairs, and legal and not legal separations. Of course, maybe in China this loyalty still exists, and maybe here in the States, but one would not really know this unless they have close Chinese friends, or families, as one does not live in these households were this loyalty exists, and I believe and think that the Asian culture are quite reserved and are quiet people, and do not go around speaking of their family values to everyone, only to their immediate families. This reading has so much wisdom in it and so many truths. But I was was appalled as I read it how the people would be treated and punished if they did not do as they were supposed to do. For instance the Liberalists were much more severe in their punishments than were the people of the other schools of thoughts. In this sense I would of like to be a follower of Confucianism, as they seemed the mellowest of the other schools. There were so many things that I would of like to include/cite in this writing but it would be too many, it would be as if riding the article once again. However I do want to include this one where the master answers to a disciple wanting him to elaborate on the five types of good behavior, which are, “Tolerance, sincerity, respectfulness, kindness, and diligence”, and that is what I would teach my students from this reading.
Stella CastroThis session was pretty fun, as it was interesting to see how my colleagues reacted and presented their cases and stance on the 4 different schools of thoughts, (Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, and Liberalism. This part of class was so much fun. What was the most interesting was the reading itself on the 4 different philosophy’s/schools of thoughts, the in depth interpretations of those 4 schools of thoughts.
In the second part of the session all the information that was given was really interesting, like how Confucianism, emphasizes stability, social. Political and ethical doctrines. How Confucius was seen as a teacher and not a Saint. or how the Daoism, seems to think that the world is perfect as it is, that there is no need to change things. It is always interesting to learn new things or getting one’s mind refreshed with information. It always seems as if there is never enough time to listen to all of it, as when the information starts it keeps on becoming more interesting and then it is time to stop as the time allotted has reached the end, it ends up to be 8:00p.m. time to go home, so soon it always seems to be
With my learning’s of the session I can teach my students how to believe in themselves to always stand up for their rights and what they believe in, to be true to themselves and to not bully or lie as this can cause major repercussions. Also I can teach them about time and how to use a stop watch as well how to tell time.
Stella CastroThere were no reading for session 5, however, there was a notation page, where we are supposed to write about the Gardens at the Huntington Library, and so here are my thoughts; this place is beautiful, and so exquisite, I would live to live here; however, this writing is not about me but rather about the gardens. First and foremost the docent we had in our group was excellent. She was so knowledgeable and informative about the Gardens. It was obvious she liked what she does. I commend her for her time and effort in volunteering as a docent to the Huntington Library.
Before today, I have been to the Huntington Library gardens, but today was much more different. In the past I had just walked around, read the information placards and enjoyed the sights and smells of these gardens, Today, because I/.we had a docent it made it much more different and interesting, as I learned many different facts and information about the Japanese and Chinese cultures in regards to their gardens, their meditations, and their likes of tea. I also learned a little about their housing/s, For instance the Chinese built their teahouses so that wherever you sit you can have a view of the outdoors, whereas the Japanese, built and locate their homes accordingly to natures resources, like where they would get the most lighting in certain places, as they did/do not, did not have electricity back then.
I learned that the Japanese tend to have rocks in their gardens, but that the Chinese do not. Also there seems to be differences in their homes. It seemed to me that the Chinese have a bit more furniture and knick knacks. But the Japanese seem to have more scarcity. The Japanese homes seem like they have only what the need, and they make use of their available space by taking out only what they need at certain times, (as our docent mentioned). There was so much information about this garden, for instance that the windows in the Chinese garden all had a different design to them. Had it not been mentioned I don’t think I would have noticed this detail.
Our time allotted in these gardens, was quite short when there is so much to see, learn about and simple just enjoy the moment at ones leisure. It is sort of practicing our ZEN, just like the Japanese. But I truly enjoyed my time at the Huntington Library’s Gardens, and I thank the seminar sponsors and the NCTA also, as without their support this trip would probably have not been possible. I also thank Mr. Dube and Ms. Catherine for making this field trip possible.
For the record I also want to add that at first I thought that we were to drive to USC as usual, park, listen to lectures until 11:00a.m., get our lunch and then have to drive to the Huntington Library Garden on our own. Pay for our entrance fee,(not that I would of minded), and then drive back to USC and finish off any remaining time. , “Lo and Behold”, we got a ride to and from, our entrance fee was paid for, I received a ton of information, what could be better than this!
If this was mentioned earlier in the first or second sessions, I apologize, as I was not present for those two sessions, but I was truly flabbergasted, by today’s generosity. Thanks again USC China Institute.
Stella CastroMr. Clayton Dube was correct when he said that this lecture was going to be fun. It thoroughly was fun, not only was it informative with all the details of how there was 3 different stages, and what happened in them. For instance I during the 2nd stage, the Qin Empire the emperor imposed uniformity of currency, weights and measures, and also the three teachings, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, evolved more or rather were practiced more.
The whole lecture was informative but I really liked and enjoyed the part where Professor Ye, sang his tunes and told us of how chanting began. That chanting comes from the French, that chanting is a form of poetry. Gregorian chant is a Catholic chant. Professor Ye told us the difference between singing and chanting, and professor Ye demonstrated it, he modeled it for us and that is what a good teacher does for the students, they model, and explain. Professor Ye mentioned that Walt Whitman, (an American poet) is a man who chants his poems, as Y.B.Yeats, (an Irish poet), and Vachel Lindsay, (American poet), to name a few.
As I mentioned earlier yes this was an important and informative session, but what drew my attention more was the part of the chanting and poetry, the singing/chanting of the professor and the names of famous people that chant. So I am say to not mention more of the session’s information, the poetry part is what stood out for me and it still does.
Stella CastroI thoroughly enjoyed reading the poetry from these readings. I look forward to Monday’s night lecture with Professor Ye, as Mr. Dube has mentioned that in Mondays lecture Professor Ye will be talking about poetry, art, textiles, and various other art forms. I like and enjoy the art that is why I am looking forward to the session.
In the poetry I read it sounds as if the writer is so knowledge about ball aspects of life. The author describes how he may feel or feels. He writes so well that one can feel his emotions, his pain, his insights, his fear, his pleasure/s. That is a sign of a good writer. The author also writes of nature and it creatures that live within. The different animals and also how they might feel. I could tech my students about poetry and how to write it, but first I must learn how to do it myself.
In the reading titled,”Buddhism, Aristocracy and Alien Rulers: The Age of Division 220-589, while this article was interesting and it laid out the information about how Buddhism came about and how the many people decided to try it and adhered to it. In the article where it talked about how all the land was owned by the state according to The Wei System. There was one statement in this section of the article that struck me. The statement is and holds so much truth to it and relies on fairness, and that is/was, *“That no land lies neglected, that no people wander off, that powerful families shall not monopolize the fertile fields, and that humble people would also get their share of the land”. I totally agree with this statement, as it just goes to show that all people should be treated fairly, and without any bigotry of any form. We are all equal, but granted that in those times, life was different, because back then they had their rulers and emperors and if the commoners did not listen and obey them, there would be severs punishments. Of course nowadays the same rules apply, if we don’t listen and obey the rules, but now, people are sent to jail, where they still get to be fed, and sleep in bunks, (Maybe not the best rest), but at least they are not out in the cold. Back then the punishments were severe, like execution/death, or the taking of one’s’ family and made to become slaves.
I could use this reading to tech my students, the ideals of how to be fair and just. Not to take advantage of others. Not be a bully, and overall how to be a good person.
*The Cambridge Illustrated History of China
Stella CastroI visited The Ed Burns Japanese Garden @ CSULB as a make-up assignment for session two of this seminar. I was not glad that I missed session, two, but in a way it was a good thing that I did, otherwise I would not have had to make up an assignment , and for that reason I would not of had to visit this garden. I would not even had I known this place existed, had I been present for session 2.
This garden is quite beautiful it is a very serene and peaceful location. It is quite small, none the less it is beautiful. This garden is located on the campus site of CSULB, which is also a place I have never been too. Upon purchasing admission you are handed a package of fish food to feed the koi, however because they give all the people visiting this garden the package of food, and visitors can feed the fish at their discretion, all the Koi are rather big and fat., which is understandable. I believe this fish are carp, as they resemble what carp fish looks like. Upon entering the garden right outside the entrance e are the infamous lion dogs, s soon as I saw these I thought this place was going to be worthy of the drive over. Walking into the garden a visitor right way can see and feel the peacefulness of this place. One sees the people feeding the fish or just sitting down and relaxing, enjoying the scenery, which is very green, and well maintained. Throughout the walkways, there are fixtures that to me resembled temples, shrines, pagodas, and combinations of these, with a space for a light inside, sort of a small window. As I walked around I wondered what they could be, and then it struck me that these fixtures were probably like night lights, and that at night they would turn them on to light up the place. But this notion baffled me as this pace closes at 4:00p.m., so who would be able to look at and admire this when the place is closed. Turns out these types of lanterns are Kasuga Lanterns, as I was told when I asked the person at the entrance. The Kasuga lanterns are lit on weddings, which many are held at this location. That is why this place is closed on Saturdays, to accommodate all the weddings here. Upon looking at the dictionary for a definition of Kasuga, a Kasuga lantern is to be lit on special occasions. Now it all made sense and fell into perspective.
As I walked, I noticed the rocks, in this garden, and I remembered that the Japanese culture tends to have rocks in their gardens, and in their miniature bonsai replicas, but the Chinese culture does not.
This place also had two places where it looked like waterfalls, One of them was just water falling from the rocks, making it appear like a waterfall, and the other place was an actual waterfall, (at least in my perspective). Further down the road, the walkway resembled a bridge, as if entering a sacred place, and then there it was, the Japanese home. Outside the home/house was the fountain of water where one is supposed to wash themselves before entering the home, once they are allowed and permitted to do so. Then there was the home. With its open space, which I am sure they do this for the public to view/see. However, here I noticed how often a Japanese home is mostly barren, that they have very little trinkets, knick/knacks and or decorations. The mats on the floors also revealed how the Japanese set up their furnishings, and what goes where, this was very interesting to see.
This garden also contained a rock garden, where all the small pebbles/rocks look as if they were raked. The decoration of the rocks resembles an S-shape. I forget what this means, and there was no one around for me to ask this question of. T
This was a very nice place to visit. Here is additional information prior to visiting the Garden. There is a parking fee, I really can’t elaborate on the cost as I did not park at CSULB, and the entrance fee is $5.00, although if you are or become a member you get in for free. The admission prices vary according to age and if one is a student or a senior citizen.
I learned a little bit more of the Japanese culture just by visiting this site. I also learned that this place has special events from time to time and offers free movies, and lectured for the public. However it is best to become a member of the garden as when especial events arise the members get a discount off the ticketed prices. For instance an upcoming events are Mother’s and father’s day brunches,, in which members get a $10.00 dollar discount than non-members, and at times the parking is free to members, whereas, non-members still have to pay for parking. However, this rule applies differently according to the events/s.
Stella CastroI was really impressed by the readings of this session. I especially liked reading the comics about piety, as it goes to great lengths to show the devotion one has for their parents, especially in the Asian, cultures, where this is the norm. As I had heard, believe and understand the Asian cultures do everything of their parents/s, they listen to their advise, which they inadvertently call it wisdom. They abide by the parents rules and regulations, and simply just OBEY, them. This is a good ideal for the parents, especially back in the day. However, we are now living in the 20th century and naturally things have changed, with the times. The rules, laws, peoples wishes, hopes, and obedience’s. It is particularly in the Asian homes where this filial piety still exists. I chose to comment on ht comic strips rather than on the articles, because I feel that nowadays no one listens to their parents any more. If they do, it goes in one ear and out the other; it seems as if nowadays, everyone is more interested in themselves, than in helping others especially their very own parents. To me everyone now has an," It’s me or no one else attitude toward/s everyday life situations. So while reading the comics about filial piety, I found it amusing how well the stories were written, the stories credit the right people by their virtue. Even the god’s would acknowledge the characters in the stories because of their good deeds they wanted to do, or just even the thinking about it. For instance the God’s, planting a chunk of gold where a couple plane to bury their son to save the man’s mother, because the man’s mother always fed and gave her Sarandon , the last bite of food, although the grandmothers was wasting away. Or in another story where a young man would let the mosquitoes bite him until the mesquites got their fill of blood, just that his parents could rest peacefully at night without getting bitten by the mosquito seven carrying ones’ own mother to go and look and work as a hired hand, as in yet another story, where the bad men, gave the good and devoted son, some food, rather than hurting and robbing him/them, because he saw the devoutness of the son towards his mother.
What I learned about these readings and how I can apply them to my students is, to teach them to love their family, respect their elders, and to always do the right thing and also to love and respect themselves.
Stella CastroVideo –Gaming; Make-up Assignment for Session 1
It was very interesting to learn about the video gaming in China. I had no idea that it was so popular, and that many people enjoy and pass their free time on videos games. Here in the states, or at least Los Angeles, (where I am familiar with), the popularity of playing videos games, most of the kids/students/children would spend their extra and available time playing video games. Unlike years go where they would go and play outside, where the parents would buy bicycles, skateboards, Frisbees, and the kids would go out and play. However little by little the popularity of video games took over and now all if not most of the kids have X-boxes, Play stations, and video games they can play on the computer/s, I-pads, even on their telephones. Certainly, this is the time of the present, but as I was listening to the guest speaker, Ms. Lisa Hanson. Ms. HansonTalked about the popularity of the video gaming in China, it brought this all into a new view and perspective. In the lecture Ms. Lisa Hanson, talked about how they have video cafes, where the people go and congregate into them and play against each other, where it is cheaper to go to the video cafes and spent hours playing against other people in these type/s of places. The irony of these video gaming places is that the public would rather go to a place like, this and wait, for their turn to play against others rather than stay home and play against their brothers or sisters, friends, neighbors, etc. The parents would rather have their children go out and play rather than allowing them to stay home and play. Ms. Hanson, did state the fact that it is quite expensive to own the types of gaming systems that are in use at the video cafes, because one has to buy the games, the equipment, the computers/I-pads, etc, and then they have to have the space available to set up all the equipment that is needed, and as it is , the homes in China, are quite small , so there really is not enough space available to set up this type of gaming in one’s home/house.
An interesting thing that I learned from this lecture was that the people/public spends a lot of their money on these games to dress them up. They spend the money to make the figures/figurines, dress in style and accordingly to their part in the video games, for instance if a game is played where a person. Is a super hero, then the people pay for the outfit to fit the super hero character? Likewise if a figure id a villain, then the people pay the money to dress up the figure/character as a villain with dark clothing and the accessories to match the character.
Interestingly, E-sports was mentioned in this lecture ,and that is where people gamble on their favorite sports, of course to win money, but it is just the fact of the matter that the people are joining the virtual world of video gaming when they enter the world of gambling via video gaming.
Naturally, the video gaming big conglomerates/ enterprises, like Apple, Google, U-tube, all have a stance on this video gaming successes, as they all put in their two-cents worth, and then they try to out-do each other with their schematic antics, rhyme and reason, to outdo each other simply as a way of monopolizing the gaming society.
What I learned from attending this lecture was how much China is into the video gaming world, and how much money the make from it, but also the number of people into video gaming. I always thought China was a poor country but from the statistics that were presented, China has a lot of money, or rather spends a lot of money particularly in the video gaming world/pastime of the/their country. However I am not amazed at the numbers, if I remember correctly, 24.5 million was spent on watching/gambling the last NBA final, (which was in 2017), that my friends, is a whole lot of money invested in video gaming.
Stella CastroIn reading them,”BOK chief calls for increased birth rate amid population aging”, article, It was interesting to read about how the aging population in Asia is reaching the “Aged Society”, status a country gets when their population percentage of people reaches 14%, and now Asia is at 13.2, and this statistics was from the year 2016, so Asia must be very close to 14%, by now, given that we are in the year 2018.
However it is understandable that given the birth control policy, (where families are to have but two children, it is logical that this would eventually happen. If families nowadays are not allowed to bear more than two children, by the time those children grow up and are supposed to be and or join the work force, all of their relatives would be of age to retire or simply be regarded as old and unable to work or be much productive. So there will be a lot of elderly people and not enough young people to do all the work.
On the contrary I was astonished to read that Asia has a poor population, that it is second after Africa. Understandably it might be because Asia is so crowded, but this baffled me to read because many products we have here in the states come from Asia. Who has not seen the logo, “Made in China”, on many different types of merchandise. I just assumed that because of this, Asia would have more money and/or be more prosperous.
On reading the article about the mail order brides “Bride school: Where South Korea’s mail order wives learn their trade”, I already had heard about this practice. Actually I know of a person who did just this, he ordered himself a bride he said from a catalog and then hen he talked with her over the phone for several weeks/months, I forget and then he brought he over and married her, Without ever really meeting her, and in his case it worked out, they were still married the last time I spoke with him. Unlike in the article, it states that these types’ of marriages are falling apart. I could see reason into this concept, because for a marriage to work it has to involve both parties and there has to be love, not fake or pretend love. In this article where the woman files her husband’s number under “Beloved” a man she hardly knew and after 18 hours of meeting they married. Although the relationship in this article seemed like it was working, when the woman texted her husband a picture of her pregnancy test, the article stated that,”There were two red lines”. I did not understand what this meant but I assumed that the husband texted the picture back with the two red lines, like an,”X”, meaning, In other words,”no way shall we have a child”. I could be wrong with my interpretation of the story; however it made sense to me.
I can use this article and of course with their parent’s permission, to teach my students about not having sex with strangers. Be intimate with someone you love or care about and always wear protection, unless you are ready to be a parent.
