The Verification And Comment Of Lutai Academy Of Classical Learning

The academy of classical learning is an exclusive educational institution and academic researching place of ancient China. It was started from Tang Dynasty and came to its summit in Song Dynasty. After passing from Yuan to Ming Dynasty it became prosperous in Qing Dynasty. The academy of classical learning was not replaced by modern school until the last stage of Qing Dynasty. The history of its existence lasted for about 1000 years. The academy of classical learning system developed parallelly with government-operated academy system. But it was relatively independent. It not only inherited and developed the ancient private education system but also absorbed teaching experience from religion and official education. It took the way of mutual selection between the teachers and the students and free discussion on academic subjects. The academy of classical learning combined teaching and researching together, and advocated to lay equal stress on both learning and self-cultivation of the students. This kind of academy payed enough attention to keep the tradition of requiring the students to be disciples of a certain school of thought. There were numbers of academies of classical learning around the whole country at that time. The academies established their own teaching areas, teaching regulations, practice places and arrangement systems. Moreover, they held cultural activities such as academic communication and book publication. As this, they became the significant bases of talents cultivating, schools of thought expanding and centers for local culture developing.The academy of classical learning was relatively advanced in the history of Wei County. In Wanli years of Ming Dynasty, Liu Yingjie, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, took promoting research and education as his own duty and established the first academy of classical learning in the history of Wei County at the northeast foot of Fuyan Mountain after his retirement. That was just Lutai Academy of Classical Learning. Lutai Academy of Classical Learning along with Xijian Hut and Chengfu Study which were established one after another at the previous location of Lutai Academy of Classical Learning in Qianlong years of Qing Dynasty had become the center of culture and education in the history of Wei County. They had played an important role in advancing the establishment and development of other academies of classical learning and flourishing the culture and education of Wei County. They are worthy of deep-going research.This paper intends to make a systematical verification and comment on Lutai Academy of Classical Learning from the following aspects:Firstly, the historical evolution of Lutai Academy of Classical Learning. The period before Ming Dynasty—Lutai and its long- standing history and culture. The stage of Ming Dynasty—its establishment and development. The age of Qing Dynasty—its prosperity and decline. So the history of Lutai Academy of Classic Learning is obvious and distinct. Secondly, the educational system and characteristics of Lutai Academy of Classical Learning, which mainly includes the outlay source, the headman retained, the content and pattern of its teaching, the arrangement and other features. Thirdly, the historical contribution and influence of Lutai Academy of Classical Learning, such as the rising number of persons who passed the examinations held by the government to select the able intellects, the unprecedented prosperity of the publication of literary works, the prevailing fashion of valuing literacy and education, the great influence of the Academy of classic learning.It even deeply affects the modern culture by its historical experience. The main experiences include the running of a school by many forces, teaching and learning tradition, the sprit of free discussion. There are some other important experiences, to name just a few as following. To tell the students how to exist and cultivate is the base of teaching. To be aware and alert is for self-improvement. To learn the theory is for the school of oneself. Pay attention to the example set by the teacher. Teach the student step by step. Encourage the student to learn by themselves. Make the student happy in class so as to get them understood quickly. And so on. These kinds of the teaching methods are full of characteristics which have great influences on teaching in the history.