China: Traditions and Transformations

1. China: Traditions and Transformations Self-Realization in the Medieval World October 5, 2007

2. The Period of Division (220-589) The Southern Dynasties during the Period of Division (center at Jiankang – modern Nanjing) Eastern Jin/Chin317-420 (Liu) Song/Sung420-475 Southern Qi/Ch'i475-502 Liang 502-557 Chen/Ch'en557-589 (north and south were unified by the Sui dynasty in 589.)

5. Consequences of the loss of the north for dynasties in the south The predominance of military interests The weakness of local government The "clan" as a form of social organization The great clans The émigré clans of the South

6. Four Strands in Aristocratic Culture 1."Learning of mystery" (xuanxue/hsuan-hsueh) and "pure conversation" (qingtan/ch'ing t'an) Philosophical justifications for non-involvement – Guo Xiang The interest in personality -- Xi Kang/Hsi K’ang and the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" Fatalism and individuality

12. Four Strands in Aristocratic Culture 2. Daoism The Celestial Master cult The "mingling of qi" (energy-and-matter or “material force”) Elixir Daoism -- Yang Xi and the Maoshan revelations

15. Four Strands in Aristocratic Culture 2. Daoism The Celestial Master cult The "mingling of qi" (energy-and-matter or “material force”) Elixir Daoism -- Yang Xi and the Maoshan revelations

21. Four Strands in Aristocratic Culture 3. Alchemy Inner and Outer Alchemy Theoretical foundations for alchemy Alchemy as an intellectual pursuit

24. Four Strands in Aristocratic Culture 3. Alchemy Inner and Outer Alchemy Theoretical foundations for alchemy Alchemy as an intellectual pursuit

25. Four Strands in Aristocratic Culture 4. Literary Art Literary genres -- occasional and personal The premise and promise of (literary) art Why write?