Mountains and Waters of China · Beijing Volume (Part 2)

Author: Duan Baolin / Jiang Rong, Editors
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This series of books has two key concepts: "Mountain and Water Stories" and "Mountain and Water Sentiments." The rich variety of "stories" behind the mountains and waters is a primary characteristic of Chinese landscapes. Due to the long-standing civilization and historical heritage, as well as the long-term influence of agricultural life, the "stories" behind China's mountains and waters are particularly abundant, meaning that the cultural landscapes are exceptionally rich, and the accumulation of history and culture is deeply profound. This series blends landscape aesthetics, anecdotes and legends, poetry and prose about mountains and waters, and local customs and traditions, presenting readers with a comprehensive "encyclopedia of mountain and water stories." This sentiment, when expressed in the relationship between humans and nature, is the "heart of the forest and spring," where climbing a mountain fills one with emotion for the mountain, and watching the sea overflows with emotion for the sea. This sentiment, when reflected in daily life, is the transformation of life into one of art and refinement. The New Tales of the World records: "Zixiu Wang once temporarily rented an empty house and immediately had bamboo planted." This sentiment, when applied to one's attitude toward life and society, is the "heart of ritual and music," where one does not rejoice in external success or grieve over personal setbacks. For thousands of years, this sentiment has not only granted many individuals a particularly rich life but also endowed China with a culturally beautiful spirit that the world envies. In modern society, where people are alienated by instrumental rationality into biological specimens and their spiritual worlds are fragmented into scattered cultural fragments, this sentiment and this cultural spirit undoubtedly hold special significance. The title of this series, "Mountain and Water China," is intended to call back to this sentiment and this spirit. It is hoped that it can become a spiritual oasis and a clear spring on the cultural journey of Chinese people in the new century.