An Association of Friends of Teilhard in China is in the process of being formed by a group of Chinese people. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ was born in 1881 and became famous as a philosopher, palaeontologist and geologist. He worked extensively in Africa and Asia, and was part of the scientific investigation that discovered “Peking Man” in China. He lived in China for 23 years (1923-1946), although he also travelled abroad extensively during this time.
A forum entitled “Teilhard and the Future of Humanity” was held at the Beijing Languages and Cultures University on Oct 19 in his honour. Fathers Thierry Meynard SJ, Nicolas Standaert SJ and Benoit Vermander SJ were among the 100 people present.
During the forum, a 45-minute documentary entitled “Teilhard and China” was shown for the first time in China. The premiere had been held just a week before at Centre Sevres, Paris. The documentary was directed by Fr Benoit Vermander SJ and Cerise Phiv.
Presentations by Huang Huiwen (Teilhard and Chinese Geology), Wang Haiyan (The Thought of Teilhard: Upward and Forward), Fr Thierry Meynard SJ (Teilhard’s Thought and Contemporary Chinese culture), Li Tiangang (Teilhard and China), the Mongolian writer Yang Dorje as well as by Liu Feng, the creator of XLab in China, demonstrated the interest that the thinking of Teilhard is presently raising among some intellectual circles in China. Lively debate on the topics covered consumed the rest of the day. The discussions were moderated by Alex Wang, member of the Association of the Friends of Teilhard in France.
The forum concluded with the decision to continue efforts to raise awareness of Teilhard’s thinking in China, including organizing a forum in 2015 in Shara Osso Gol on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Teilhard’s death.
For a reflection on Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ, click here.
For more about the documentary “Teilhard and China”, email Cerise Phiv at cerise@erenlai.com.