Respected President Dr. Brinley Jones, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Medwin Hughes, Distinguished Guests, Teachers and Students: My warmest greetings to you all!
It is a joy that everyone can be here today for the Opening Ceremony of the Academy of Sinology Year 2018.
We are living in exceptional times witnessing the decline of traditional culture and values in both the West and the East. This decline has become abundantly clear in the East. In the West, for instance, we have also come across elders in Lampeter who have sighed at the fact that nowadays it is rare to find young people with the virtues of respecting one’s parents and elders, as well as following etiquette and courtesy that were part of the Welsh tradition. The wisdom and experience of ancient sages and ancestors on how to cultivate oneself, manage a family, govern a country, and realise world peace, which are embedded in both the Eastern and Western traditional cultures, are indispensable in today’s society in order to salvage society from degenerating morality and to dissolve social crises. The Academy of Sinology was established for the very purpose of reviving and perpetuating traditional culture. With the approval of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and the strong support of Vice-Chancellor Professor Medwin Hughes, the Academy of Sinology commenced its classes smoothly last March. The first cohort of MA students have completed their studies.
The mission of the Academy is to train future teachers to pass on the legacy of traditional culture and to bridge the culture between the East and the West. Education in morality, ethics, causality and sacred wisdom is an integral part of both Eastern and Western traditional culture. We must study diligently and set a good example through our own daily practices in life to inspire and transform people for the benefit of fostering social harmony.
Sadly, in July this year, Professor Clayton Chou, former Provost of the Academy and a close friend of mine, passed away. This is a great loss to the Academy and to the field of Sinology. We are thankful to Venerable Shengmiao, Venerable Chengde, Teacher Li Yue and other members of the teaching faculty for their commitment to undertake the heavy responsibility to carry on with the Academy’s mission. We believe with their concerted efforts and that of the students, the unfinished undertaking of Provost Chou to revive traditional culture will be successfully carried on.
Exceptional times call for exceptional commitment. I am confident that every student here shares the same goal with the Academy in carrying on the eternal teachings of the past sages and bringing lasting peace and harmony for the countless generations to come. We need to persist with this aspiration to overcome all difficulties and work diligently to enhance our moral standard and knowledge. We each aim to become an exemplary teacher for traditional culture, a peacemaker and a global citizen to contribute to the welfare of a world that is troubled by turmoil and disasters.
I wish every student great success in their studies and a bright future that is filled with wisdom and joyful learning! I wish our distinguished guests health, peace, auspiciousness, wisdom and longevity! Thank you.