On March 31, 2010, Chen Guying, professor of Dept. of Philosophy, Chinese Culture University and a famous expert on Taoist studies delivered a lecture of “Taoist Thoughts and Modern Life” in Zijingang Int’l Conference Center, which was the 46^th of the lectures of “Zhejiang University Oriental Forum”. Professor Dong Ping, Director of Dept. of Philosophy, School of Humanities, ZJU chaired the lecture. In this lecture, Mr. Chen, referring to popular stories of “roc spreading its wings to fly”, “Lu Hou Breeding a Bird” and “son of the RenState go angling” from Tao Te Ching and Xiao Yao You (Happy Travelling), two classics of Taoism to emphasize the spiritual value of Taoist thought in modern life, which greatly inspired the audience.

Professor Chen Guying first talked about “Dao”, a central concept in Laozi’s philosophy. Commonly speaking, “Dao” is a way from one end to the other and the extended meaning is rules, regulations and methods. “Dao” is considered the ultimate source of the world and there is a famous saying “Dao can never be told. If it is told, it is no longer Dao” in Tao Te Ching. Therefore, Dao is intangible, which can not be perceived through our sensory organs or expressed in concepts. Mr. Chen held the view that we should pursue the truest “Dao” or reality.

The humorous and wise talk by Mr. Chen won the warm applause from the audience and Mr. Chen also answered the questions from the audience. In the end, Professor Dong Ping made a summary to highly commend the lecture by Mr. Chen and hoped the interpretation by Mr. Chen would open a door of wisdom to understand the profundity of traditional Chinese culture and find the essence of life in Chinese culture.

The Forum was sponsored by Research Institute of Social Sciences and School of Humanities, ZJU.