Teacher's in China

Traditional Chinese Medicine - TCM podcast

Script: https://tcmpodcast.me/episode-07-goodbye-boring-hello-adventure/

In its very essence, Chinese culture is strongly connected to its root and historical events. Modern Chinese culture is strongly influenced by Confucian ideals. One of the very basic foundations of the Confucian tradition is a deep respect for teachers.

China represents an ancient civilization of at least five thousand years. In ancient China, people treated etiquette as the most important part of the culture. The concept of hierarchy: monarch-subject relationship and father-son relationship are the core concept of the etiquette. Under the influence of the strict feudal hierarchy order and high ethical and moral standards, people pursuit the ethical morality of respect for seniority.

Lǎoshī is the Chinese word for “teacher.” It has two characters: 老師 and the first character lǎo 老 is a prefix which means “old.” The second character shī 師 means “teacher,” so the literal translation of lǎoshī is “old teacher.” However, 老 in this context just expressed respect and isn't related to actual age at all.

“Laoshi” is considered to have knowledgeable merit and impart knowledge to commons. It stands to reason that “laoshi” is a high-ranking role and they should be admired by others. Moreover, as the old saying goes, “a teacher of one day is a father of a lifetime”, so the address “laoshi” has an unshakable position in the traditional thought.

Most of the Chinese rulers were firstly educators – teachers. It is considered in all Chinese history lifespan for Confucius to be the greatest teacher of all. Besides morals, ethics and government leading, teacher is a central role in Chinese society.

Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.(Confucius)

The Republic of China, Taiwan, is truthfully traditional compared to P.R. China. On September 28 is celebrated Confucius' birthday, designated Teacher's Day, which is a national holiday in Taiwan. All public institutions are closed, and from the very early morning, men gather in the Confucius Temple of every city dressed in the Chinese full dress of long gown and cardigan over-jacket. The ceremony is usually lead by the mayor or by the governor. The ceremony involves traditional musical instruments and students dance holding a pheasant's tail feather. Three slaughtered animals—a whole ox, ram and boar—are offered as sacrifices. The ritual, following details set down by Confucius himself, lasts about an hour. When it is over, the crowd that has been waiting outside swarms into the ornate palace-style building, opened only once a year for the occasion, to look at the wooden tablets, sacrificial vessel and instruments.

Lǎoshī is also used as a title. We can address an actual teacher as “lǎoshī” or we can use lǎoshī in combination with a family name when referring to a teacher. Chinese students can always call teachers "lǎoshī", including professors at university.

Info: www.tcmpodcast.me