Conference highlights thoughts of Wang Yangming

The World Yangming Philosophy Conference is held in Yuyao, a county-level city in Ningbo, on Nov 23. [Photo by He Yuankai for chinadaily.com.cn]

To commemorate Wang Yangming, a famous philosopher of the Ming Dynasty (1268-1644), the World Yangming Philosophy Conference was held in Wang's birthplace – Ningbo, Zhejiang province – on Nov 23.

Wang Yangming is one of China's leading Neo-Confucianism philosophers, as well as a calligrapher, military general, politician and writer. He claimed "the integration of knowledge and action."

Entitled "Cultural Resonance in a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind", researchers from different disciplines and backgrounds discussed the theories and practices of Wang's philosophy during the conference.

Zhu Hanmin, vice-chaiman of the International Confucian Association, pointed out that China's commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind to confront challenges such as political, economic and military issues, is rooted in its traditional culture, especially Wang's belief that all things in the universe were originally one.

"His thought is practical and reveals a humanistic spirit similar to 'a community with a shared future for mankind'," said Zhu.

Chen Zhiping, president of the China Ming Dynasty History Society, insisted that Wang's philosophy is still inspiring in modern times.

"Wang claimed that social governance is based on changing people's thoughts. We can take a page from it when building a community with a shared future for mankind.”