Institute of Religion, Science and Social Studies

Dialogue on Taoism and Science between Professors and Taoist Masters

On January 24th, 2007, a dialogue on Taoism and Science was held in Taiqing Palace, Mount. Laoshan. This dialogue was hosted by the Taoist masters of Laoshan, namely Master Li Zongxian, Gao Mingjian, An Chuanjun and other masters who joined this conversation as one side. The academic participants of the other side comprised of scholars, researchers and graduated students from Shandong University and Qingdao University, who were led respectively by Prof. Jiang Sheng and Prof. Jin Jiashi.

Professor Jiang insists that Taoism is expected not only to respond to, but also to propose suggestions to modern science and technology that are encountering myriad thorny problems currently. Multitude of Taoist thought will manifest theoretical support in this respect by its philosophical elaboration which does nowhere exist in western realm. Dr. Yu Rusong holds that Taoism, as ontological wisdom, possesses many excellent ideas, such as “Wu Wei (Non-interference action)”, “Zi Ran (spontaneity)”, which could correct the wrong inclination of science and technology thus and make them developed appropriately by following natural and human laws. Master An discusses his understanding, as a Taoist practicer, of modern physics and cosmology. Dr. Li Chuanjun agrees An’s opinion and says that there are two facets, namely macro- and micro- to study the Taoist cosmology while reinforcing other thoughts. The above mentioned topics, as a result, heat up a two-hour-long discussion among scholars and Taoist masters.

Towards the end of the dialogue, all the participants from both sides expressed their appreciation of participation in this dialogue. The Scholars show their support to the Taoism response to modern science, while Taoism masters of Laoshan began to understand the modern science from multi-aspects and also demonstrated their unique concern on science development.

Shandong Educational TV reporter interviews Prof. Jiang Sheng

On Feb.18th, 2007, Professor Jiang Sheng was interviewed by Shandong Educational TV reporter. During the interview, Professor Jiang introduced the GPSS Program and part of his achievements.

Although modern science is the quintessence of Western rational thinking, it needs to be adjusted in the light of eastern wisdom that will make science obtain new inspiration. The significance of the study on Taoism, lies in the transmission of eastern traditional culture throughout the world-wide academia and other social organizations, which will help science to reach higher level guided by new thinking line, and it is also a globalizing process of Chinese wisdom, concluded Prof. Jiang.

GPSS Team Members Win the thesis Award at the International Forum of Dao De Jing

On March 14^th 2007, the winner list is published by International Forum of Dao De Jing. Professor Yang Yuhui, SWU, won the top thesis award, “The Great Tao” by his paper titled “He Tao: the Basic of All Things’ Harmony”; Dr. Cai Linbo, ECNU, won the thesis award of  “Pure Tranquility” by his papers named “On the ecological aesthetic thoughts in Dao De Jing”. They both are the members of GPSS-MAP-STAR.

A Doctor of IRSSS won the “Award for excellent innovation from Shandong Government”

        Dr. Han Jishao, a member of IRSSS won the prize called “ Award for excellent innovation from Shandong Government. This is to encourage the graduated students in Shandong university to make academic innovation. Han’s article is “the affection of Taoism on Chinese ancient technology”.

Prof. Yang Yuhui will give a course on “Spirituality and life in Taoism”

From March 2007, Professor Yang Yuhui, SWU will give a course on “Spirituality and life in Taoism” for undergraduate students. More than 100 students have enrolled to learn this four-month-long course this year.

Dr. Lin Wei SDU will give a course on “Science and Spirituality”

From March, 2007, Dr. Lin Wei will give a course on “Science and Spirituality” at SDU. This is a compulsory course to every student of IRSSS, the content mainly covers “Religion and Science”. As for the study on seeking the new relation between Taoism and modern science, this course is very helpful.

Up to Now, GPSS-MAP-STAR already opened the course “Religion and Science’ at ECDU and SDU.

“My Heart is the Universe: on Human’s Spirituality” lectured by Prof.Jiang Sheng at Shandong Provincial Library on Feb.10th, 2007

Invited by “People Forum”, hosted by Qilu Evening and Shangdong Provincial Library, Prof. Jiang Sheng delivers a lecture titled “My heart is the universe—–on human’s spirituality”. Prof. Jiang Sheng began his lecture with a quotation from Lu JiuYuan, a famous philosopher of Song Dynasty, “the Universe is my heart, and my heart is the universe.” And then he elucidates the relevant concepts and relationship among the appearance of self-awareness, the founding of inner world, spirituality and external world, and science. He also elaborates the development of spirituality and the relation between science and economic life. As a result, the spirituality plays an important role in the process of cultural, technological and social activities.

Over 300 audiences attend this lecture. Since this forum is free to public, a lot of audiences come from various professionals besides students and teachers.

The Second GPSS-MAP-STAR Workshop held in SDU

On March 27th-28^th, 2007, the second workshop of GPSS-MAP-STAR was held in SDU. All four sub-team representatives presented. Leader of this program, prof. Jiang concluded the work at the initial stage. In terms of the problems found in recent review, all team members are required to give their ideas and suggestions. After the workshop, all members have to adjust their own work in the light of suggestions from this workshop.

Three books were published

GPSS－MAP Experts Arrived SDU for Review Visit