Adam: Did you celebrate Double Ninth Festival? I just learned that the name for the festival in Chinese is Chongyang and that it’s tied to the theory of yin and yang. I guess it’s pretty complicated and comes from the I Ching.

我才得知重阳节名称的由来，原来九乃是“阳”（与“阴”相对）数之极，所以九月初九被称为“重阳”。好有趣，我真想研读《易经》，以更好地了解阴阳学说。

Li Mei: That’s the beauty of Chinese culture: it’s complicated, even confusing, but always fascinating. If you like traditional Chinese classics, you might want to take some courses at Yundang Academy. I’m currently taking a class called “Instructions on Practical Living.”

中国文化就是如此奇妙，既深邃迷人又复杂难懂。如果你对学习中国传统典籍感兴趣，不妨参加筼筜书院的经典讲习课程。我报名了《传习录》课程。

Adam: What’s that about?

愿闻其详。

Li Mei: The title comes from a collection of the writings of Wang Yangming, who is regarded as one of China’s four greatest masters of philosophy.

《传习录》乃是明代心学大师王阳明的语录和书信集，他被誉为中国四大思想家之一。

Adam: So what do you actually study in the class?

上课学些什么呢？

Li Mei: The course is a series of 12 Saturday lectures that just kicked off last weekend. The lecturer is Chang Daqun, a professor from Xiamen University. The academy often invites professors and researchers to give speeches. They also offer art courses in things like calligraphy and traditional Chinese musical instruments playing. They even have courses for young kids.

这门课包含12次周六讲座，由厦大常大群教授开讲。书院常邀请教授和学者们来此讲学，颇受市民欢迎。此外还有书法和民乐演奏等国学艺术课程和儿童蒙学课程。

Adam: Where’s Yundang Academy?

请问这筼筜书院位于何处？

Li Mei: You can come with me next weekend. It’s on the east side of Bailuzhou Park, facing Yundang Lake.

就在白鹭洲公园东区，正对筼筜湖。

文章转自厦门日报20161019