On April 22, Prof. Wang Shusen from Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Liaoning Normal University, came to “Citizen Culture” lecture series held by Baiyun Academy, and gave a lecture on “Interpretation on the Laozi”. A total of more than 100 readers were in attendance.

Prof. Wang interpreted that The Laozi, also simply referred to as the Daodejing, is a Chinese classic text. The Laozi is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Daoism. The Laozi states that the Dao is ineffable, i.e., the Dao is nameless, goes beyond distinctions, and transcends language. Prof. Wang interpreted the Daodejing as a suite of variations on the “Powers of Nothingness”. The Daodejing praises self-gained knowledge with emphasis on that knowledge being gained with humility. Prof. Wang stressed that, the theme of Daoism is still the guidance on the modern society.