[Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
Donglin Academy was one of China's most renowned academies in ancient times. It was founded during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and served as a venue where the famous scholar Yang Shi gave lectures. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it was revived by Donglin scholars like Gu Xiancheng, who gathered there to lecture. They promoted the ideals of "reading, lecturing, and patriotism", which resonated broadly among scholars nationwide, quickly earning it widespread fame.
The well-known couplet by Gu displayed at the academy reads, "The sound of wind, rain, and reading all fall upon my ear; the affairs of family, nation, and world are all my concern", —a phrase well-known in China. The academy features structures like a stone memorial archway, Lize Hall, Yanju Temple, and Daonan Ancestral Hall.
Today, Donglin Academy continues to serve as a key center for promoting culture, imparting knowledge, cultivating talent, and advancing education. It also organizes a variety of cultural events during traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival.
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