Ancient Literary Theory and Aesthetics - Collected Writings from the Academy

Author: Li Daotian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Sichuan is renowned as the "Land of Abundance," offering not only a naturally endowed prosperous living environment but also a uniquely distinctive cultural realm. For over two millennia, it has produced generations of renowned scholars, with the Han and Song dynasties leading the cultural landscape. Since modern times, Sichuan's scholarship has once again shone brilliantly. Beyond the widely influential "Beijing School" and "Shanghai School," "Sichuan Studies" has stood out as a unique and equally significant force. In the relatively isolated basin environment, a group of scholars, content with modesty, have devoted their lives to profound studies, upholding the rich heritage of Chinese classics with deep roots in traditional scholarship and rigorous academic spirit.
Recalling the autumn of 1962, when I was admitted as a graduate student at Sichuan University and embarked on my journey to Sichuan, I joined the esteemed Professor Pang Shizhou as my mentor, studying the literature of the Six Dynasties and the Tang and Song dynasties. I personally experienced the academic atmosphere of Sichuan. Day by day, immersed in the scholarly environment, one gradually becomes transformed, as in the proverbial "entering the house of orchids and not perceiving their fragrance." Professor Shizhou was a celebrated figure in Sichuan, and his disciples were all outstanding scholars, each finding their own paths. One group went to the Wangjiang Pavilion (Sichuan University), while another joined Lishan (Sichuan Normal University). Thus, the study of ancient Chinese literature in Sichuan has developed into a dual peak and dual stream.
When Professor Shizhou casually spoke of his disciples at Lishan, he often praised them highly. I listened attentively and became intimately familiar with his words, feeling a mix of admiration and envy. Now, over forty years have passed, not only has Professor Shizhou passed away, but many of the once-admired peers and senior scholars have also left us. The past remains vivid in my memory, yet it has become an eternal remembrance in my heart.
Professor Li Cheng, my friend, has edited this collection, Essays from the Academic Garden, compiling representative papers from the discipline of ancient Chinese literature at Sichuan Normal University (formerly Sichuan Normal College) over the past half century. Browsing the table of contents, one finds both the masterpieces of senior scholars and the innovative works of emerging talents. What particularly delights me is that it seems to reveal certain elements of modern Sichuan Studies.
I believe that an academic tradition is both resilient and fragile. Modern Sichuan Studies has weathered the storms of social upheavals and political movements, and it may appear to have faded into history. Yet in truth, it has not entirely vanished. Its spirit continues to persist in the academic pursuits of scholars in Sichuan and is also preserved in this collection. However, if we do not consciously cherish, preserve, and promote it, the tradition of modern Sichuan Studies will soon be lost. To inherit this tradition, one must adhere to its unique academic philosophy while keeping pace with contemporary developments and tracking the frontiers of modern scholarship, ensuring that the spirit of Sichuan Studies remains vibrant and enduring.