Millennium Bai Village (Nuodeng)

Author: Li Wenbi, edited by Huangjindeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Culture, as a spiritual phenomenon and value orientation, manifests in Nuodeng as Confucianism's belief in "poetry and rites passed down through generations" and Buddhism's teaching of "practicing kindness and generosity," yet it does not ( means "exclude" or "reject") the naive dialectical philosophy of Taoism's Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. Especially, Taoist music from the "Hole Scriptures" has profoundly nurtured generations of Nuodeng residents during its dissemination. Moreover, the locally colored "Benzhu" (local deity) faith, which worships historical heroes of the region, further fosters a sense of national pride. Thus, this highly inclusive belief system, combining Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and "Benzhu," has formed the value system and spiritual pillar passed down through generations of Nuodeng residents, leaving a profound influence to this day.
This small village, spanning 7.6 kilometers in width and 8.35 kilometers in length, owes its integration of China's major intellectual and cultural traditions to its former glory and the migration of inland settlers. The Nuodeng people respect the elderly, value education, and adhere to their own behavioral norms in both daily life and interactions. Traditional Chinese culture, much of which has disappeared or is fading in inland areas, such as architecture, calligraphy, poetry, and rituals, can still be found in Nuodeng, though it gives the impression of decline and impending disappearance under the impact of modern material civilization. Fortunately, Nuodeng has finally gained recognition and has become a protected historical and cultural village in Yunnan.
This book, A Millennial Bai Village—Nuodeng, serves as a firsthand resource introducing Nuodeng—a miniature landscape of ancient Chinese culture. The compilers of this book are Nuodeng locals. The book's meticulous historical records, thorough research, and fluent writing perfectly demonstrate the cultural level of the Nuodeng people. The deep love for their homeland that permeates every line of the text is something no one else can replicate. I recommend this book to readers not only to promote Nuodeng but also to protect traditional culture and the moral and value systems derived from it, which are fading or disappearing in some parts of our country. Preventing such losses may not be in vain.