Chinese people's concept of happiness

Author: (German) Baowugang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: This book focuses on the concept of paradise and utopian ideas in the history of Chinese thought, analyzing the historical significance of these concepts in the Chinese pursuit of happiness. The author argues that the Chinese nation has never abandoned the hope and pursuit of happiness from the very beginning. Contrary to the Western view that "China has always looked backward and has drawn all its ideals from the past, showing no interest in the future," the author believes that China also has aspirations for the present and the future. Under the blending of traditional Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist thought as well as modern Western thought, it presents a distinctive concept of paradise, utopian ideas, and notions of an ideal world. The book discusses, following a historical thread, the different ideals of happiness proposed by various schools in pre-Qin times, the influence of Dong Zhongshu's theory of the cyclical nature of the heavens on the concept of happiness in the Han Dynasty, as well as the exploration of happiness in the Wei and Jin periods, the Song and Ming Neo-Confucianism, and various intellectual trends in the 19th century. The materials cited in the book are unconventional and extensive, not only including common texts on Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist thought but also covering many marginal topics. In addition to the rich and detailed content, the author's writing is meticulous and emotionally resonant, vividly portraying the diverse manifestations of the concept of happiness in Chinese history, often offering profound insights that deserve deep reflection after reading.