What should we do to inherit China culture?

To treat traditional culture, we must first adhere to "inheritance", that is, record, protect, preserve, continue and continue.

Many traditional cultures, whether material or intangible, are now in jeopardy. Some of them actually have no "heirs", or some materials only have some remnants, relics and sites. Therefore, our urgent problem is to record, protect and preserve them as soon as possible, and extend their life as much as possible so that they can continue to exist.

If its physical object can no longer exist, then record it as detailed as possible, including videos, recordings, photos, files, etc.

In my opinion, the most important thing in China at present is "transmission", which is unconditional and undifferentiated. At the same time, we should try to turn the unconscious into conscious and conscious.

Why should we attach importance to "transmission"? I think there are four reasons.

First of all, China's material culture is inherently deficient.

For example, a large number of ancient buildings in China are brick and wood structures. Even if it is not destroyed, it exists for a short time and is difficult to repair. A large number of ancient buildings in western countries are built of stone. For example, in Greece and Rome, a large number of ancient buildings were built of granite and marble. Stone structures need to be preserved for a long time, even if there are defects, it will not affect the underlying foundation.

Second, the social foundation of the spiritual part of China's traditional culture has weakened or disappeared. China's initial ethical system is called "order between the young and the old", that is, there is an order between the old and the young, as well as between people with high status and low status.

In the modern society that advocates freedom and equality, everyone thinks that the original set of etiquette is redundant, and we should talk about equality and even call them by their first names. As a result, the foundation on which the original concepts and systems were based disappeared. If this part of culture is not recorded, the people behind it will not know.

Third, traditional culture is not all good, but many are evil and decadent. Do you want to spread it Through it, too

Because this part is also a part of traditional history, if this part is not recorded, how can our future generations believe and understand this history? Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland is a concentrated expression of human evil, but now it is a world cultural heritage. Why? Because it should be preserved to give future generations a warning.

In the history of China, from Song Dynasty to Qing Dynasty, most women bound their feet, which is an ugly and inhuman custom.

However, historical materials and cultural relics about foot-binding should also be left behind, otherwise, how can our descendants believe that women in China have had such experiences?

This is part of the historical memory of the whole nation. Without this part, we can't understand the society at that time, especially the history of women in China.

Fourth, generally speaking, our material conditions are always improving, but people's spirit is not always improving.

The spiritual realm we can achieve today may not surpass the ancients, and the wisdom we left behind may be hidden in the culture we can't understand today.

For example, some ancient buildings, all of which are wooden structures, are connected by tenons and mortises. Even if there is a strong earthquake, they never fall down. If you don't think these buildings are modern structures and don't pay attention to preservation, then the wisdom and secrets in them may disappear forever.

For example, the traditional lunar calendar in China was once considered backward, and the 24 solar terms were once considered useless. But in recent years, domestic and foreign studies have found that this is a very reasonable time system to promote agricultural production.

Therefore, we should not rush to get rid of the spiritual part of traditional culture, including concepts and lifestyles that we don't understand today, but should remain the same. Perhaps the wisdom contained in it can play a role in the future.

"Transmission" is unconditional and undifferentiated. If we want to consider whether this culture is good or not now, it won't exist until the discussion is over. This is urgent.

For example, a certain art, a certain custom, some people say to protect it, others say not to, but you haven't finished discussing it yet. The person who passed on this art is dead and there will be no descendants in the future. Therefore, I think the most important thing for China at present is "communication" first.

In addition, we should try to turn our unconscious protection into conscious protection. Today, many things called traditional culture, whether material or spiritual, are unconsciously preserved.

For example, why can some traditional buildings in China be preserved? Because it is in the hinterland, the local people are too poor to build new houses and have been living in old houses, so some ancient buildings have been preserved.

But now expressway is connected to the hinterland. Some people go there to buy traditional buildings, and some building materials are bought by businessmen or even sold abroad. When farmers have money, they will tear down old houses and build new ones. In this case, it is difficult for traditional buildings to be preserved. So we have to change and become conscious and conscious of protection.

There are some misunderstandings about the protection of traditional culture.

For example, some places regard dances, folk songs and artworks as intangible cultural heritage, and developing tourism immediately may destroy the original appearance of traditional culture. But if they don't do this, the government rarely gives them subsidies. How do they support themselves?

In this regard, we might as well learn from Japan's practice.

Once a project is recognized as a cultural heritage in Japan, those who inherit this cultural heritage are recognized as "national treasures". After becoming a "national treasure", the government or foundation will subsidize his life, and the task of a "national treasure" is to continue his craft, take good care of his disciples, inherit his skills and ensure its continuity.

So many Japanese handicrafts can be preserved for a long time. Now we often think too much about whether it can be used or not, and too much about marketization, which is wrong.

"Accept" selectively and conditionally.

Let's talk about what "tolerance" is first.

I think "inheritance" means inheritance, development and continuation, including transformation and innovation. Traditional culture and material spirit have been preserved. What shall we do after that? Do we all have to learn and carry forward? No, we must distinguish and choose.

For the essence, we should not only keep it, but also make it work; For the dross, we should leave it to future generations to understand, but we should not copy it and do not need to expand it.

China used to have all kinds of manners. It was right to respect others, maintain a modest and humble attitude, and adhere to normal order and manners, but it was unacceptable to be too humble or even inhuman.

For another example, the ancient buildings in China have good places, but they also have shortcomings. Generally speaking, ancient buildings pay attention to surface and public activities, not life, and have poor lighting, ventilation and heating.

If we want to build an ancient building in today's form, all these things will change. When American architects designed the yenching university, they used the form of China Palace on the surface, but they all used heating and modern equipment inside.

Therefore, we should not accept everything about traditional culture, but take its essence and discard its dross and outdated things.

In the process of "undertaking", we should be eclectic and partial. Generally speaking, the local culture of China has survived because it is more suitable for the local environment.

Therefore, in the process of comparing foreign culture with local culture, we should pay attention to giving priority to the content that is more in line with local conditions, that is, local priority.

In addition, because there are too many things to undertake, we should prioritize.

For example, it is also the essence. What is the scarcest and most important heritage in China? We should give priority to this work for the time being.

Some traditional cultures play a greater role today and can be given priority. Some of them don't have much effect, but they can be used later. Therefore, "commitment" is not like "delivery". "Transmission" is unconditional. Everything should be "delivered" first, and you should be selective when "promising".

When using traditional culture, we should pay attention to the effect, because no matter how good the ancient traditional culture is, it is often not immediately applicable to today, which requires creative transformation.