From August 15 to August 21, 2025, a delegation of teachers and students from the Department of Philosophy, School of Humanities at Nanchang University, traveled to South Korea for an academic visit. Together with institutions such as the Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy Cultural Training Institute and the Korean Studies Promotion Institute, they conducted a seven-day cultural exchange and study program on traditional Confucianism between China and Korea. Guided by their teachers, 14 students from Nanchang University actively participated in various activities, including academic seminars, sacrificial rituals, classical lectures, and inspections of cultural heritage sites. Through studies conducted in the Confucian-rich atmosphere of the seowon (Korean academies), dialogue and cooperation between the two countries in Confucian research and education were deepened. Scholars from both nations jointly explored the paths of inheritance and innovation of Confucian culture in the contemporary era.

Ancient Rites Honor Sages, a Shared Civilizational Heritage

On the morning of August 16, a solemn sacrificial ceremony was held at the Sangdeoksa Shrine within Korea's Dosan Seowon. Faculty and students from Nanchang University, alongside Korean scholars, performed the traditional *yire* (bow with hands clasped) and then the *keisu* (kowtow) bow before the portraits of ancient sages. Presided over by Master Godang, the participants from Nanchang University's Department of Philosophy changed into traditional Korean hanbok. Professor Deng Qingping served as the献官 (offering official), performing rites before the memorial tablets of Master Toegye (Yi Hwang) and his disciple, Wolcheon Jo Mok. Following the ceremony, Professor Heo Gwon-soo delivered a speech in the Jeonkyodang Lecture Hall, expressing a sincere welcome to the Nanchang University delegation.

In the afternoon, Professor Heo Gwon-soo gave a lecture on the theme "The Significance and Influence of the Establishment of Master Toegye's Seowon," providing a comprehensive introduction to the Confucian origins of Dosan Seowon. Professor Heo pointed out: "Master Toegye was among our scholars who formally studied Dao Learning (Neo-Confucianism) and inherited the scholarship of Zhu Xi. The seowon he founded became the spiritual birthplace for Korean Confucian scholars."

Classical Discussions, Academic Integration

On August 17, the program entered a phase dedicated to discussing the works of Master Toegye. Dosan Seowon hosted two special lectures that day, where scholars from both countries engaged in academic exchange centered on the theme "The Spirit and Connotation of Master Toegye's Confucianism." Professor Kang Gu-ryul took "Selected Chinese Poems of Master Toegye" as his topic. From the unique perspective of phonology, he offered a nuanced interpretation of the meter, rhyme schemes, and tonal characteristics in Yi Hwang's Chinese poetry, revealing the linguistic aesthetics and philosophical imagery contained within. Subsequently, Mr. Lee Kwang-ho provided an in-depth explanation of Toegye's representative work, *Ten Diagrams on Sage Learning*, systematically analyzing its ideological system and stages of self-cultivation.

At the beginning and conclusion of each lecture, Chinese and Korean participants exchanged formal *yire* bows according to ancient etiquette, using this solemn traditional ritual to convey principles of equal respect and friendly dialogue. Following the lectures, Korean scholars and the Chinese presenters engaged in lively discussions around the topics. The back-and-forth questions and answers demonstrated the depth of academic exploration, highlighting the profound shared origins and distinct yet mutually illuminating development of Chinese and Korean Confucian culture.

On-site Cultural Research, Unifying Knowledge and Action

On August 18, the Nanchang University delegation visited the Korean Studies Promotion Institute and Hahoe Folk Village. The group toured the Confucian Culture Museum to observe the cultural heritage of woodblock printing for Confucian texts and visited Byeongsan Seowon and Hahoe Village. These activities furthered the delegation's deep understanding of the cultural context of academic pursuit and daily life for Confucian scholars during the Joseon Dynasty, accumulating valuable firsthand materials for comparative research on Chinese and Korean seowon culture.

At noon, during the delegation's meal in Andong City, the Mayor of Andong specially came to exchange greetings with the teachers and students and held a cordial talk with Professor Deng Qingping and Teacher Liu Bing from Nanchang University. The Mayor fully affirmed the significance of China-Korea Confucian cultural exchange and, on behalf of Andong City, presented local cultural souvenirs to the Nanchang University delegation, expressing eager anticipation for deepened cooperation in traditional culture between the two countries.

On August 19, the study team traveled to Korea's renowned historical and cultural heritage site, Sosu Seowon, for an academic visit. Participants conducted a traditional sacrificial ceremony at the seowon, once again practicing ancient Confucian rites and experiencing the educational essence of ritual and music within seowon culture. Afterwards, Korean Confucian scholar Professor Kang Gu-ryul delivered a special lecture for the team and took a group photo with the Nanchang University delegation.

In the afternoon, the study delegation from the Department of Philosophy, School of Humanities at Nanchang University, went to Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) for an academic exchange. Guided by faculty from HUFS, the delegation first visited the HUFS History Museum. Subsequently, both sides held an academic exchange symposium, engaging in in-depth discussions on topics such as future prospects for Chinese and Korean Confucian thought and innovation in humanities disciplines.

Deepening Cooperation, Composing a New Chapter

On August 21, this study program concluded successfully at Incheon Airport. The delegation of teachers and students from Nanchang University returned to China with abundant academic gains and cultural experiences. Confucianism belongs not only to China but to the world. In the context of globalization, the innovative development of traditional culture requires the joint efforts of our generation.

As millennia-old Confucian traditions regain vitality through modern academic dialogue, and as Chinese and Korean scholars grow together through mutual inspiration, this study program not only continued the spiritual dialogue between China's Bailudong Academy and Korea's Dosan Seowon but also opened new horizons for China-Korea Confucian exchange in the new era. It provided a vivid practical example for building a community with a shared future for humanity.