Tag: confucius

Qiu Miaolin - Author - Lesbian Activist

Email: What Are My Views About Qiu Miaolin (邱妙津) [1969-1995]? (23.1.2026)

I would argue that non-White cultures (not crushed by Eurocentric imperialism) possess a scale of sexual and gender manifestation that is far more fluid than that found in th West. Much more is tolerated with far less reactionary resistsnce. Married Chinese men can be effeminate – just as married Chinese women can be masculine – it is not that big a deal in the everyday world of Chinese existence. Teenagers naturally discover their sexuality and identity without the interference of the State define this or punishing that – so what exactly was Qiu Miaolin rebelling against? Was it the Nationalist domination of Taiwan? Was it the fascist (patriarchal) reality of Kuomintang (KMT) reality? Was it the obvious US domination of her Chinese culture? Was it the left-over influence of the Imperial Japanese presence on the island? I note that in the Chinese-language assessments of Qiu Miaolin – the “gay” Japanese fascist – Yukio Mishima is mentioned. After WWII, Mishima propagated a male gay cult that practiced homo-erotic martial arts whilst dreaming of over-throwing the US-dominated government and returning Japan to its feudal greatness (he would lead a failed military uprising in the early 1970s – before committing ritual suicide). Mishima, of course, was an anti-China racist – so why admire him? I am not a woman and am not a lesbian – so I advise the reader to research freely and to think for themselves.

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Sutton Cemetery - Qingming 2025!

UK: Qingming (清明) [2025] – “Sweeping & Cleaning the Grave” of the Chinese Ancestors! (5.4.2025)

At both times of the year the graves are repaired and made new – whilst one or two of the favourite things are provided – such as a glass of brandy and a cigarette. Some Chinese families – although not ours – make paper clothing which is burnt at the graveside in Autumn – alongside “Spirit Money” – or pretend banknotes, etc. Others take real food which is placed on a table in hygienic containers – offered as an oblation – and consumed later. Our two daughters used clothes and cleaning sprays to remove the dirt and shine the stone exterior of the graves. The bright flowers are then cut to fit into the holders. We often bring a flag of China and Buddhist pictures and statues. Today, I also carried a Ch’an Dao Martial Arts Association badge and a pair of Nunchaku. We lit six incense-sticks – three for each grave – and bowed-down three-tips (clapping the hands three-times). We have been performing these rituals since the early 1990s in the UK.

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Old Ch'an Dao Gongfu

Ch’an Dao: Confucian Lineage! (8.11.2024)

Of course, the modern world is a very different place to the ancient (feudal) world from which Confucius lived, but nevertheless, so much of modern Chinese culture is premised on just this type of social organisation and spiritual coordination. This is true even when gongfu Styles are accessed through “money” – rather than through “virtue”. This attitude of “Respect” and “Harmony” has permeated the culture of Korea, Japan, and Okinawa – with the latter once being a distant part of the Chinese Empire. By issuing his “Hamon” – Sensei Higaonna is proving that his Style of Goju Ryu Karate-Do is “Chinese” in origination – as indeed it is (premised upon the White Crane gongfu of Fujian province).

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British Colony - Malta

Progressive Malta: Confucius Institute Marks 15 Years of Promoting China-Malta Friendship! (6.11.2024)

Shi Dalin, vice president of Xiamen University, expressed hope that the Confucius Institute would continue to serve as a model for educational and cultural collaboration between Xiamen University and the University of Malta.

University of Malta Pro-Rector Frank Bezzina highlighted Confucius Institute’s role in language teaching and cultural exchanges, noting that institute plays a unique role by promoting dialogue and mutual understanding.

In a video message, Yu Yunfeng, director of the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation at China’s Ministry of Education, said the Confucius Institute has played “a unique and important role” in promoting cultural exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.

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Mum, Dad & Charlotte Got this GIANT Chocolate Bar!

Calibration Hits “57” So It’s Time To Excuse My Little Self-Indulgence….! (30.5.2024)

My academic (and Ch’an) teacher – Richard Hunn (Upasaka Wen Shu) – lived into his 57th year and was struck-down by cancer far too early (passing in 2006)! I suspect I will last a few years yet – but we never can tell! Still, I rise early to perform my academic and spiritual duties. Although now married with children – I have permission to still wear the black-robe of the Caodong Ch’an School – and to carry the Dust-Whisk of Authority. Of course, the only authority I possess is over my own mind and body. Oh, and I love The Beatles!

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Archery as an Ancient Art!

Daoism: Archery in the Central Plains! (5.3.2024)

Indeed, as a distinct body of rituals – Confucianism is older – with Daoism developing later. The problem is that historical elements of both ideologies exist within China’s early history. These elements eventually diversified into specific and distinct schools of thought – that seem ‘different’ in practice (which they are) – whilst sharing similar or identical concepts. Term ‘道’ (Dao) exists in Confucian thought as well as in the musings of Laozi and Zhuangzi! Above is my short research paper on the ‘中’ (zhong1) ideogram in relation to archery and ‘hitting the target’.

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