5月26日，八年级的同学们在老师的带领下走进山东——孔子故里，开启了为期四天的人文行走之旅。在上海的雨后，同学们踏上了学习之旅。于此之前，我们已在课堂上研读了孔子的一生，对其所创造万载相传的思想进行了探讨。而此次人文行走之旅打破常规的教学模式，以亲历古迹展开对孔子更深入的了解。
On May 26th, 2018, the Pioneer Classes of Grade 8 went to Shandong Province, starting their 4-day cultural tour. We started our journey on a rainy morning. Throughout history, Confucius is widely considered as one of the most important and influential individuals in affecting the lives of humanity. His teaching and philosophy greatly impacted people around the world and still linger in today’s society. Those are what we have learned in the classrooms – and now we get to follow in his footsteps! The curriculum-driven visit will bring history to life right before our eyes and provide us with a unique, exciting and relevant educational travel experience within a variety of areas of study.
- 岱庙 DAI TEMPLE
第一天 Day One
岁月无声，岱庙无言，人事纷纷。天际，大片祥云线条柔和，光影婆娑，像多少双眼睛欲说还休，一棵树，一座碑，一道城墙，一楼庙堂，无声胜有声。而我们有的低头迅速做着笔记，有的紧跟在解说老师身后，有的举着手机全程录音，丝毫不敢懈怠这样宝贵的学习机会。红墙为幕，清风为笔，绿叶为墨，绘一幅仲夏图。
Located to the north of Tai’an City, the Dai Temple is the largest and most completed ancient building complex of Mount Taishan. We spent ages in the temple. We were stunned when we entered. The exterior while daunting and its grand framework and elaborate engravings can’t prepare you for the sheer size and magnificence of the interior. Standing in front of the hall, we were amazed by all the beautifully decorated archways, upturned eaves and carved details.
- 孔府孔庙 孔林 KONG FAMILY MANSION
第二天 Day Two
古老的建筑有一种独特的魅力，砖缝里发出的青草芽、剥落的墙漆、吱吱呀呀的大门……真有一种“青砖黛瓦，故景如旧”的恍然厚重感。
孔庙里树木很多，枝繁叶茂。大成门旁有一颗桧树，就是著名的“先师手植桧”，相传为孔子亲手所植，在漫长的岁月中多次枯死又多次萌生，荫庇子孙。我们感受到历朝历代的雨露风霜。两千年来，它是孔子精神的象征。
在孔府忠恕堂上，有这样一幅对联：“守口不谈新旧事，知心难得两三人。”雅致而有理。这个文化世家，注定会少一些大家族都有的腐朽与不堪，多一些责任感与情系天下的心胸，才能千年传承不息。
步入孔林，那映入眼帘、连绵不绝的绿灰二色，在日暮的掩映下显得辉煌而苍凉。我们站在一段历史的尽头回望，感受到儒家文化已经同中华民族血脉相融、荣辱与共。
The Kong Family Mansion, located to the east of the Temple of Confucius, was the historical residence of the direct descendants of Confucius. Unlike humans, whose days on earth are numbered, physical structures go on to have a life of their own, becoming a central and functional part of countless people’s lives for hundreds, if not thousands, of years after they are built.
Arguably the most influential person in Chinese history, Confucius and his teachings continue to exert a deep influence on society even in modern China today. Confucius lived during a time of great chaos and conflict, known as the Spring and Autumn era. The great question of the day was: “What’s the best way to order society and government?” Confucianism is a complicated system of social and political ethics based on filial piety, kinship, loyalty and righteousness. His teachings cover a wide range of topics—from how a “true gentleman”should behave in his daily life (down to how he eats with proper decorum) to how a ruler should govern (with a benevolent concern for the well-being of his subjects). In other words, it’s a kind of moral guide and prescription for good government— one that values hierarchy, group orientation, and respect for age and tradition.
Confucianism has existed in China for several thousand years. It still has tremendous potential influence on all the aspects such as politics and economy in China. Confucian thoughts have been the most basic mainstream value of the common people of the Han nationality and other nationalities in China all through the ages. The basic values of Confucian thoughts of “rite, justice, honesty, shame, humanity, love, loyalty and filial piety” are the basic rules of consciousness for the daily conduct of most of Chinese people all the time. The courteous, friendly, gentle, honest, tolerant, earnest and industrious temperament of the Chinese nation has also gradually developed under the education of Confucianism.
- 孟庙孟府 传统成人仪礼 冠笄之礼
CAPPING CEREMONY FOR BOYS & HAIR-PINNING CEREMONY FOR GIRLS
第三天 Day Three
庄严的亚圣殿，幽深的殿宇，历史再一次回归寂静，朱墙一处苔花的叹息，恰一出半青半黄的旧梦。
黑衣，黄裳；玄衫、红裙，宽袍广袖的汉服着身。在老师的带领下进行冠笄之礼。“敬，净，静，雅”做一位君子，身着华服，礼承华夏。吾辈当有为天地立心，为生民立命，为往圣继绝学，为万世开太平之志。
In ancient China, an adult ceremony is the essential ritual to show a child has grown up. It dates back to the Zhou Dynasty, enjoying a history of over 2000 years. The purpose of the ceremony was to put the ceremony receiver under various tribulations, and finally take them into the society of adults.
Societal expectations of young adults are high, they are expected to achieve independence, realize their potential, and fulfill the promise of their cultural heritage.
每天回到酒店的我们还需要和组员整理当天的学习成果；在老师组织的晚间汇报学习中，我们分享彼此的收获；每一天图文并茂的旅行日志给我们的行程增添了很多生趣，这些构成了我们这次人文行走的意义。
To every Grade 8 student, we have come of age. It’s time for us to take responsibility for ourselves, which means accepting the consequences of our actions without expecting anyone else, particularly our parents, to protect us from those consequences. It’s time for us to make independent decisions, that is, to find out who we are and how we fit into the world. There is a range of decisions that go into that.
访山东之旅，寻孔子之迹，仿佛能看到孔子周游的车架，能感受到泗水河畔的风，能听到晨钟暮鼓的响。人事有代谢，往来成古今。这或许就是传承的魅力……
Expect what we can, reach and be aware of the fact that sometimes life throws us a curve ball. Try to remain confident while maintaining positive aspirations. Life offers everyone a great many opportunities, during which time, young adults can, with support, live to our potential and grow into a healthy responsibly functioning adult contributing to society.