The China History Podcast

For this 18th and final episode in the series, we'll focus on the rival philosophies of Lu Xiangshan 陆象山 and Zhu Xi 朱熹。 We'll also look at more of the philosophy of Wang Yangming. Then we'll end it with a few loose ends and mentions of The Five Elements and Zou Yan's 邹衍 Alchemy. I'll also recommend a book called "The Path." My deepest thanks to all of you who endured all 18 episodes. I hop...

We're almost at the end. We continue on in Part 17 with Zhu Xi and his philosophy. There will be more discussion about Qi, Han Studies (Han Xue) and the pushback against Neo Confucianism. We begin looking at the final philosopher in this series, Wang Shouren (a.k.a. Wang Yangming). Then we look at the primary difference between the Cheng-Zhu School vs. the Lu-Wang School. Learn more about your ad...

Season 9 is starting to wind down. For the ninth chengyu of the season, we take Sima Qian's "Record of the Grand Historian" and open to the chapter on Xiang Yu. This time we look at the story of Xiān Fā Zhì Rén 先发制人 . In this well-known story from the fall of the Qin Dynasty, we see Xiang Yu and his uncle Xiang Liang seizing the day and the hour to attack Qin forces and bring the dynasty to an...

We'll finish off the Five Founders of Neo Confucianism with the last two, the Cheng Brothers: Cheng Hao 程颢 and Cheng Yi 程颐. Then we'll explore Neo Confucianism through the life of Lu Jiuyuan 陆九渊, also known as Lu Xiangshan 陆象山. and Xin Xue 心学, the School of the Mind. Neo Confucianism also gets a new name: Song Xue 宋学 o Song Studies. We'll also introduce Lu Xiangshan's biggest rival i...

In this episode we begin our look at Neo Confucianism. In English, we called it that. But in Chinese it was referred to in other ways, most commonly as Sòngxué 宋学 (Song Studies) since the foundation was poured during this dynasty. The concept of Qi 气 will also be discussed. Then we'll head straight to The Five Founders of Neo Confucianism: Zhou Dunyi 周敦颐, Zhou Dunyi's Taiji Tu 太极图 Diagram...

For the third time on the CHP, I'm featuring another episode from Empires-An Asian Business Podcast , this time featuring India's watch and jewelry giant, Titan. Empires, from Singapore's 1UpMedia is one of the top shows in that region that explores some of the biggest business empires in Asia and the founders who built them. This time Empires features the story of Xerxes Desai and the Titan Compa...

For our eighth CSP offering this season, we open up the Book of Han once again and hear the story behind Jiāo Bīng Bì Bài 骄兵必败. It doesn't always happen this way but the timeline of history is filled with examples of more powerful military forces being defeated on the field of battle by their weaker opponent. Arrogant soldiers must be defeated. Look what happened in Vietnam between 1954 and 19...

We pick up with the second part of this overview of Daoism with Zhuangzi and his beloved book, "The Zhuangzi." We'll also move beyond Laozi and Zhuangzi and take a look at the rise of Fangshi's 方士 in society, Daoist Thought and Religion, Xuanxue Dark Learning 玄学, Guo Xiang 郭襄, Xiang Xiu 向秀, and the compilation of the Daozang 道藏. I hope this basic overview gives some of you a good jumping...

We've already heard about Confucianism, The Hundred Schools, and the Yi Jing. In this episode, we look at Daoism. The life of Lao Tzu (Laozi) will be introduced along with the book he probably never wrote but which is ascribed to him anyway. This is the Tao Te Ching or Dao De Jing. Laozi was quite a character and by telling his story, it will give you the fundamentals to explore on your own what t...

Here's another well-worn favorite from the long list of great chengyu's: 磨杵成针 Mó Chǔ Chéng Zhén. The story behind this Chinese Saying stars none other than (one of China's greatest poets) Li Bai. As a youngster, Li Bai chanced upon an old woman, surnamed Wu, who was intent on accomplishing a seemingly impossible (in Li Bai's eyes) task. Don't let any naysayers deter you. Don't fear the impossi...

The introduction to the Yi Jing (I Ching) The Book of Changes continues into the Han Dynasty. We'll see how The Yi Jing is grouped with the Five Classics 五经 and how the discoveries at Mawangdui shook things up a little as far as Yi Jing scholarship went. Then we'll try and decipher Confucius's Ten Wings. Then we'll close with an intro to the practical usage of the Yi Jing and how it has been red...

In this Part 11 episode, we begin introducing the content found in Book 2 of the History of Chiense Philosophy, available wherever fine books are sold. We start with an introduction to the Yi Jing (I Ching), The Book of Changes, or the Changes of Zhou. We'll look at the Yi Jing's earliest beginnings, and the main characters associated with its authorship: Fu Xi, Yu the Great, and King Wen of Zhou....

Once again, as a regular feature to the CHP, I'm including the latest Chinese Sayings Podcast offering. This one may be a bit of a departure from the average CSP episode. The Chinese Saying for this time is Jiǎn Bú Duàn, Lǐ Hái Luàn-剪不断 理还乱. Many Chinese poetry lovers and aficionados may already be familiar with this line from the 10th-century poem 相见欢. Today's CSP offering is more of a h...

Among the many changes happening in China towards the end of the Han Dynasty was a rise in the popularity of Buddhism. Rivalries began to arise among the three religions as they jockeyed for positions in the halls of power. The seeds of Neo-Confucianism are planted by Tang scholar-officials: Han Yu, Li Ao, and Liu Zongyuan. We also look at the Confucian Daotong Lineage. Learn more about your ad ch...

I forgot to upload this one to the CHP feed last week. 不好意思. Here's a good one from the Three Kingdoms Era in which we feature the famous story of Meng Huo, Zhuge Liang, and Qī Qín Mèng Huò 七擒孟获. Some people just can't accept defeat but in the end, they bow to the inevitable. Cao Pi of Wei thought he'd have some fun and employed Meng Huo to harass his enemy in the Kingdom of Han. That didn...

Like James Dean, Confucius was much bigger in death than he was in his own lifetime. It wasn't until the Han Dynasty that Confucianism enjoyed a major triumph. This time we'll look at Dong Zhongshu who was so consequential in tying Confucianism and the imperial government into one system. We'll also look at Sima Tan (father of Sima Qian) and the Six Schools, as well as the first explainers of Conf...

We've already explored the Ru School of Philosophy and the thought of Confucius, Mengzi and Xunzi. This time we look at Legalism and the most important philosophers of this school of thought. We'll look at the lives of Shang Yang, Shen Buhai, Han Fei, and Li Si and how they embraced this controversial political philosophy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode will focus on the life of Mengzi and his philosophy. We'll also introduce Mengzi's legendary mother. Then we'll finish off with another Confucianist great from this era, Xunzi 荀子. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I had the great pleasure to interview fellow Earnshaw Books author, Alice Poon recently. The occasion was the official release date of her new book, "The Earthly Blaze" (links below). We first discussed the life and work of Zha Liangyong, also known as Louis Cha. But he is more widely known by his pen name, Jin Yong, whose novels have been read and enjoyed by countless numbers of readers around th...

This Chinese Saying, or at least the story, is rather well-known. The story of young Kong Rong and the bowl of pears. Kǒng Róng Ràng Lí 孔融让梨. This perennial children's favorite has a nice moral lesson to teach. When you see young children exhibiting generosity and kindness, many might recall these kids were just like Kong Rong back in the late 2nd Century. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

This time around we will explore the other major Ru philosophers who established rival schools of thought, including Mozi 墨子. Then we'll explore the early life of Mengzi 孟子 (a.k.a. Mencius) and what he meant to Confucianism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time we move beyond Confucius to look at some of the other schools of thought that contended with each other during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Zhou Dynasty. This included the School of Names and the Sophists, featuring an amusing story about Deng Xi. We also see how the Confucian classics became a pathway to a career in the government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

The story of Confucius and what he taught continues with an introduction to his disciples. We also look at Confucian core beliefs as well as selected quotes from the Analects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sima Qian strikes again. This time around we look at the well-known saying, Máo Suì Zì Jiàn 毛遂自荐. I tend to favor those 成语's from the Warring States Period. This one concerns the particularly volatile time in the Warring States during the reign of the aggressive and pugnacious Qin King Zhaoxiang. After a disastrous defeat at Changping in 260 BC, the State of Zhao had to seek urgent assistanc...

In this episode, we'll take a look at the early life of Confucius and his service to the State of Lu. We'll also look at a few stories from his life, including the legend of when Confucius met Laozi. The Great Sage's reflections on the ideal ruler will also be examined, and the values he stood for that comprised the core of Confucian ideology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...