Making the value of human civilization re-shine through cultural exchange between China and Greece
Zhu Shicheng
On 28 November 2024, Chinese School of Classical Studies was officially inaugurated in Athens. At the beginning of this November, Chinese and Greek governments jointly held the first World Conference of Classics in Beijing and Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter, in which he said “the ancient civilizations of China and Greece flourished on opposite sides of the Eurasian continent more than two millennia ago, laying the foundation for the development of human civilization”.
The establishment of the School and the convening of the first Conference are concrete implementations of the Global Civilization Initiative and vivid displays of the President Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture.
When “Western Sage” Meets “Eastern Zen Master”
The origin of the Western civilization, including the United States, can be traced back to ancient Greece. As to the impression of that era, people may not know Pericles, but are certainly familiar with various myths, temples, and architecture. However, the most important legacy left to future generations is the thought of the Three Wise Men of Greece, namely Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
As I write up to this point, I am reminded of Mr. William Bodri, who graduated from Cornell University in the United States and once worked on Wall Street. He wrote a book titled "Socrates and the Enlightenment Path," which was translated into Chinese by Professor Wang Leiquan of Fudan University titled "Socrates is also a Great Zen Master."
William Bodri holds the view that people generally focus on Socrates' educational methods, rhetorical skills, and reasoning styles. However, they often overlook the crucial aspect of how he achieved spiritual self-realization. In the Eastern context, the attainment of spiritual self-realization constitutes a prevalent concern and a significant emphasis among individuals across China, India, and the Middle East.
Some readers might not be familiar with Zen masters and Zen. Here is a brief introduction: The inception of Zen culture can be traced back to an occasion in India when the Buddha, seated at the Lingshan (Sacred Mountain) Assembly, faced his disciples. Instead of uttering a single word, he silently held up a flower. All the other disciples remained silent, but it was the Venerable Kāśyapa who broke into a smile. Upon witnessing this, the Buddha declared, "I possess the treasure of the true Dharma eye, the wonderful mind of Nirvana, the reality without form, the subtle Dharma door. It transcends written words and is transmitted outside the scriptures. I now entrust it to Mahākāśyapa."
Therefore, Zen was transmitted from Mahakasyapa through a lineage that eventually reached Bodhidharma, who journeyed to China and passed it on to the Sixth Patriarch, Neng HUI. Neng HUI famously wrote the verse "Originally there is not a single thing; where can dust alight?" Since then, Zen culture has firmly established itself in China.
“I know that I know nothing”and 《On the Wisdom of Non-Knowledge》
Back to the ancient Greece, Socrates was revered as the wisest man of his time. One of his most famous aphorisms, "I know that I know nothing" originates from Plato's Apology, where the original Greek text reads, "for I am conscious that I know nothing at all."
At first, the author was very puzzled. Since Socrates is the wisest, why would he say he knows nothing? Isn't this contradictory? It was not until the author read Zhao SENG's 《On the Wisdom of Non-Knowledge》that everything became clear.
Some readers may wonder, who is Zhao SHENG? He was a prominent disciple of the renowned Buddhist translator Kumarajiva. During Kumarajiva's era, the rulers of the Han region dispatched soldiers on two occasions to invite Kumarajiva from abroad to come to China and engage in the translation of Buddhist scriptures.
《On the Wisdom of Non-Knowledge》mentions that“True Prajñā(wisdom) is pure like the vast emptiness, devoid of knowledge and perception, uncreated and unconditioned. This is the wisdom where there is originally no knowledge; it does not require reflection to attain it. Prajñāis a Sanskrit term that is translated into Chinese as wisdom. From this, it can be inferred that Socrates possessed a profound understanding of prajñā. However, it is not only Socrates from the West who has such insight; each of us inherently possesses prajñā. Why? 《Manjushri's Discourse on the Paramita of Wisdom》states: " Prajñāparamita is the Tathagata, and the Tathagata is all sentient beings."
Reigniting the Splendor of Civilization
In ancient Greece, the Delphi Temple's stone tablet bore the inscription: "Know thyself." Socrates, in his final days, remarked, "We ought to do our best to acquire virtue and wisdom in life; For the soul takes with it to the other world nothing but its education and nurture". He also stated that "an unexamined life is not worth living." Through introspection and reflection, individuals can attain the same wisdom as revered sages like Buddha and Socrates. This capacity for self-examination distinguishes humans from other animals.
In nature, the principles of survival of the fittest and natural selection hold true. However, as human beings, we are "to be in harmony with heaven and earth above and below, can it be said to be a minor contribution?" Therefore, humanity should not underestimate or undervalue itself. The nobility of humanity is not determined by superficial pursuits of wealth, good appearance, fame, food, and sleep, but rather by the profound and expansive values that connect truth, goodness, and beauty. Marxism stands as one of the noblest representatives of humanity. Marxists have been striving unremittingly to eliminate exploitation, promote equality, and pursue peace, justice and happiness for all mankind.
However, the world today is characterized by conflict and instability. It is imperative that people abandon the law of the jungle and power politics, striving to construct a more equitable and just international political and economic order. Additionally, we should draw inspiration from the classical civilizations of Greece and the East to find the key to a better future.
Just like Chinese President Xi pointed out: “ the greatest tribute to human civilization is to create a new form of human civilization.” The shaping of a new form of human civilization must incorporate elements of both Chinese and foreign classical civilizations. This is not a return to the past, but rather, in addressing current crises, it is necessary to stand on the shoulders of the sages of the past in order to clearly see the development and direction of human progress in the future.
Harmonizing all nations in the pure wisdom
Finally, why can Socrates be considered a great Zen master? Readers interested in this question are encouraged to consult the book mentioned earlier. Although I am not well-versed in Zen Buddhism, I would like to share a Zen koan here, perhaps offering a glimpse into its profound teachings. One day, Venerable Subhuti, renowned among the Buddha's ten foremost disciples for his profound understanding of emptiness, was meditating under a tree. A woman approached and respectfully scattered flowers before him, expressing her admiration. Puzzled by her actions, Venerable Subhuti inquired why she did so. The woman replied that she was grateful for his excellent exposition of prajñā. Venerable Subhuti clarified that he had not spoken a single word about prajñā. The woman then responded, "Indeed, Venerable, you have not spoken, and I have not heard. This non-speaking and non-hearing is the true essence of prajñā."
The Buddha and Venerable Subhuti both taught through non-teaching, while Socrates taught by speaking without really speaking. May each of us return to our own inherent wisdom and purity. When every person is pure, every family will be pure; when every family is pure, every nation will be pure; when every nation is pure, the whole world will be pure. In this way, the light of purity will shine far and wide, and peace will prevail throughout the universe.
