In 2019 Fall, I continued to help students to discipline/nurture their bodies in light of philosophies and religions they learned in the course “Introduction to Comparative Religion: Eastern,” (PHL 112, Washington College), just like what we have done in “Introduction to Ruism/Confucianism” in 2018 Fall (https://atomic-temporary-150405650.wpcomstaging.com/my-ru-pedagogy/). The new feature of this assignment is that students can conceptualize their practices from the perspectives of multiple traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Ruism (Confucianism) and Daoism. In the following, you will find some examples of amazing works that students have contributed:

Archery was one of the six classical arts that constituted the major curriculum at Confucius’ school. Confucius once used the practice of archery to explain the importance of civil and rational debate (Analects 3.7), and his follower, Mencius, used it to describe his method of self-cultivation (Mencius, Gong Sun Chou I). Therefore, let’s see how Kate, a certified archery trainer, performed and explained archery in Ruist terms. In my view, she should start a club of spiritual archery somewhere in the United States.

In this course, we spent much time to study and practice varying forms of meditation in different traditions. As intrigued by this learning process, Jack, an athlete student, explained how meditation in locker rooms can help him to play games better. The power of “visualization” in the state of deep meditation was highlighted, and engendered many discussions from other students as well.

Since this is a class of Eastern Religions, we cannot miss the practice of Taiji martial arts. I actually invited one Taiji teacher to come to the classroom for a demonstration during the semester. Inspired by this, Laura started to learn the art through watching Youtube videos. I am extremely proud of her excellent performance, given such a short period of her learning and practice. As encouraged by Laura’s performance, in 2020 Spring, I will teach the full 24 moves of the Yang-style Taiji martial art in the class “Ru and Confucianism” (PHL 394, Washington College), so students that are able to finish all the moves can get a certificate from the class!

Calligraphy is the Taiji martial art in strokes, and because the practice of it combines one’s muscle and intelligence, it is especially favored by scholars. In the class, Maegan belongs to the sort of students who, because of their intelligence, are always suspicious towards traditions that downplay languages and discursive thinking. Therefore, she chose Chinese Calligraphy as the fittest way for her to meditate her mind and discipline her body.

I have to admit that Lanning’s work in this assignment is among the most impressive. He made a drum following some indigenous tradition in the U.S., played it, and explained the entire practice using Daoist terms from Zhuang Zi! He described that this is how he connects to the cosmic Dao and follows the natural Pattern to imitate the example of the Butcher Ding! Oh, Gosh, can this assignment be performed even better?

Big Congratulations to All of these Wonderful Students! I am so proud of them!