Donglin Academy, located in Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, is one of the famous academies in Chinese history. Which dynasty was it founded in? What kind of history does it have? This article will take you to understand the past and present of Donglin Academy.

I. The Origin of Donglin Academy

Donglin Academy was founded in the Southern Song Dynasty, nearly a thousand years ago. In the fourth year of Baoyou in the Southern Song Dynasty (1256), the philosopher Zhu Xi established Donglin Jingshe here, which became a famous academic institution in the Southern Song Dynasty. During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang expanded it into Donglin Academy, making it one of the largest academies in the country at that time.

II. The Historical Status of Donglin Academy

Donglin Academy enjoyed a high reputation in the Ming and Qing dynasties and was known as the "First Academy in Jiangnan". It was not only a holy place for scholars to pursue learning at that time, but also cultivated many outstanding politicians, writers, and scholars. Famous writers such as Yang Shen in the Ming Dynasty and famous scholars such as Gu Yanwu in the Qing Dynasty have studied or lectured at Donglin Academy.

III. The Cultural Inheritance of Donglin Academy

Donglin Academy takes it as its mission to promote Confucian culture and emphasizes the idea of "cultivating one's moral integrity, managing the family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world". Here, students not only need to study Confucian classics, but also need to pay attention to national affairs and care about the hardships of the people. This educational philosophy has had a far-reaching impact on later generations, making Donglin Academy an important base for the dissemination of Chinese Confucianism.

IV. The Historical Changes of Donglin Academy

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Donglin Academy gradually declined due to political turmoil. During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, Donglin Academy was rebuilt, but its status was no longer the same. In the late Qing and early Republic of China, with the abolition of the imperial examination system, Donglin Academy gradually lost its original educational function. After the founding of New China, Donglin Academy has undergone multiple repairs and is now a key cultural relic protection unit and tourist attraction in Nanjing.

V. The Modern Significance of Donglin Academy

Today, Donglin Academy has become a cultural calling card of Nanjing, attracting a large number of tourists to visit. Here, people can feel the solemn atmosphere of ancient academies and understand the development process of ancient Chinese education. At the same time, Donglin Academy is also an important venue for various cultural activities in Nanjing, providing citizens with rich cultural enjoyment.

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