Inheritance and Innovation at Ziyang Academy in Hankou, Hubei

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the distinctive features of the Ziyang Academy in Hankou from the perspectives of inheritance and innovation. The academy shares profound ties with familial traditions, having been established by Huizhou merchants based on native-place solidarity. It traces its intellectual lineage to Zhu, Xi while inheriting the legacy of Confucius, serving as a practical embodiment of Confucian values in cultivating civic virtues. Simultaneously, the academy functioned with guild hall characteristics, blending commercial acumen with a commitment to local development and social welfare initiatives. It evolved into an urban landmark, where its founding, architectural design, and associated cultural landscapes became defining features of the era. The academy’s adherence to Zhu, Xi’s philosophy not only promoted his teachings but also honored Confucian ideals. From Confucius to Zhu, Xi, the Ziyang Academy’s social engagement and practices offer valuable insights for fostering a sense of familial and national responsibility—"cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world"—in the new era. Its dual approach of "narrating tradition" (inheritance) and "pioneering innovation" provides a referential framework for integrating humanistic spirit into higher education and societal development.