At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, the situation on the land of China was changing, and a controversial educator was born. He was a devout Catholic who broke with the Church because of a disaster relief; He was a supporter of the Westernization Movement, but he learned from the pain after the First Sino-Japanese War; He founded Aurora University, but was placed under house arrest due to conflicting ideas; He spent all his family wealth to found Fudan, but in his later years lamented that he was just a dog, and he couldn't wake up China after barking for a hundred years. This legendary figure is Ma Xiangbo, a patriot who has fought for the cause of education all his life. His life was full of contradictions and struggles, but he never forgot his original intention and campaigned for the future of the country. On his 100th birthday, in the face of the blessings of people from all walks of life, he said gloomily: "The country is undecided, the people are still suffering, and I can't do anything." What was it about the experience that made this pioneer of education so remorseful? What kind of inspiration did his life leave for future generations?
1. From Priest to Educator: Ma Xiangbo's Turning Point
Ma Xiangbo was born into a devout Catholic family in 1855. His father, Ma Xianglan, was a well-known translator, and his mother was an ardent believer in the local church. In such a family atmosphere, the young Ma Xiangbo naturally accepted the influence of Catholicism. At the age of 12, with the ambition of becoming a priest, he left his hometown in Zhenjiang to study at Xuhui Public School in Shanghai.
Xuhui College is a church school founded by France missionaries, which not only teaches Catholic teachings, but also offers Western science courses such as astronomy and mathematics. Here, Ma Xiangbo spent 18 years of study, not only mastering a profound knowledge of Catholic theology, but also an in-depth study of Eastern and Western philosophy. However, the growth of knowledge also brings doubts. Ma Xiangbo began to question some religious teachings, and the various discrimination around him shook the foundation of his faith.
In 1876, a severe drought broke out in the north, known as the "Ding Wuqi Famine". The famine was so terrible that there was even the tragedy of cannibalism. After Ma Xiangbo heard the news, he was anxious. He ran around and raised 2,000 taels of silver to prepare to go to the disaster area to help the people. However, the Church imprisoned him for violating the canon. This incident completely shattered Ma Xiangbo's illusions in the church, and he resolutely broke away from the church.
After leaving the church, Ma Xiangbo was not depressed, but strengthened his determination to save the country and the people. He began to look for a new way out, and at this time, the Westernization movement was in full swing. Through the introduction of his younger brother Ma Jianzhong, Ma Xiangbo became acquainted with Li Hongzhang, an important promoter of the Westernization Movement. Li Hongzhang admired this erudite young man and recruited him as a staff member.
Under Li Hongzhang, Ma Xiangbo was responsible for translating foreign language materials, participating in international negotiations, and raising funds. He threw himself into the reform movement with high hopes and hoped to contribute to the modernization of the country. However, the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War in 1894 gave him a blow in the face. China suffered a crushing defeat in this war, and its previous efforts were in vain. The signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki made Ma Xiangbo feel extremely frustrated and guilty.
This failure made Ma Xiangbo deeply realize that simply introducing Western technology cannot truly save the world. He began to reflect on the root causes of China's backwardness, and gradually realized that education was the foundation of national salvation. It was this shift in thinking that transformed Ma Xiangbo from a supporter of the Westernization movement to a staunch educational reformer.
However, fate always seems to be testing Ma Xiangbo's determination. Just when he was about to devote himself to the cause of education, he was hit by the death of his mother and the death of his younger brother in the line of duty. Before her death, his mother still did not forgive him for his decision to leave the church, which brought great psychological pressure to Ma Xiangbo. But these blows did not break him, but strengthened his determination to change China through education.
Ma Xiangbo began to plan to establish a new school. He proposed to donate all 3,000 acres of his family's land to the church in exchange for the church's support for him to build a school that combines Chinese and Western cultures. Although this decision was strongly opposed by his wife, Ma Xiangbo still insisted on his opinion. Unfortunately, his wife was killed in an accident on the way back to her hometown with her eldest son. This was undoubtedly a huge blow to Ma Xiangbo, but he still did not give up his ambition to run a school.
Ma Xiangbo's experience fully demonstrates the difficult choices and unremitting pursuit of an intellectual in turbulent times. From a devout Catholic to a staunch educator, from a supporter of the Westernization Movement to a pioneer of a new style of education, every transformation of Ma Xiangbo embodies his profound thinking about the country and the nation. The trajectory of his life is a microcosm of the fate of many intellectuals of that era.
2. The establishment of Aurora University: the collision of ideals and reality
Ma Xiangbo's road to preparing for the school was not all smooth sailing. Although he had donated his family's 3,000 acres of land to the church, the church's inaction made Ma Xiangbo very anxious. During this time of waiting, he was not idle. In 1901, at the invitation of his friend Cai Yuanpei, Ma Xiangbo began to teach Latin privately. His teaching methods were innovative and unique, and they quickly attracted a group of young students.
At first, Ma Xiangbo had only 24 students, but as time went on, more and more students came to visit. His classes not only impart language knowledge, but also incorporate Western culture and ideas, opening the door to a new world for students. This experience strengthened Ma Xiangbo's determination to run a school, and also accumulated valuable experience for his future educational practice.
Finally, in 1903, the church found a place for Ma Xiangbo to run a school. He named the new school "Aurora", which means "the sun rises in the east, and the future is immeasurable". This hopeful name is Ma Xiangbo's good hope for the future of Chinese education.
The establishment of Aurora Academy marks the initial realization of Ma Xiangbo's educational ideals. He put forward the tenet of "academic independence and freedom of thought", which was a fresh wind in China's education circles at that time. Ma Xiangbo advocated breaking the traditional concept of hierarchy, regardless of status, high and low, and recruiting talents. This open and inclusive attitude has attracted many people with lofty ideals to study.
Among them, there is Yu Youren, who was wanted by the Qing government for "anti-poetry". Yu Youren later became one of the first members of the Kuomintang and made important contributions to the development of higher education during the Republic of China. His reverence for Ma Xiangbo was reflected in his later memories. In fact, the educational philosophy of Yu Youren and Cai Yuanpei, the president of Peking University, can be traced back to the influence of Ma Xiangbo to a certain extent.
However, the contradiction between ideals and reality soon became apparent. Although Aurora School is supported by the church, Ma Xiangbo's philosophy is very different from the church's expectations. The Church hoped that the school could become a tool for spreading Catholic teachings, while Ma Xiangbo adhered to a secular educational policy.
This contradiction is constantly manifested in daily teaching. For example, Ma Xiangbo insisted that students do not pray, which was unheard of in church schools at the time. He also encouraged students to discuss freely and question authority, much to the unsettling of conservative church figures.
As the conflict deepened, the church began to intervene in Ma Xiangbo's behavior. They tried to limit Ma Xiangbo's autonomy in various ways, and even threatened to withdraw support for the school. Faced with this situation, Ma Xiangbo did not compromise. He adhered to his educational philosophy and continued to implement reforms.
In 1905, the contradictions finally intensified to the point where they could not be reconciled. The church put Ma Xiangbo under house arrest on the grounds that his behavior was "contrary to the doctrine." This incident caused quite a stir in the intellectual circles of the time. Many students and intellectuals complained about Ma Xiangbo, but they were powerless in the face of powerful ecclesiastical forces.
During the days of house arrest, Ma Xiangbo did not give up his educational ideals. He kept in touch with the outside world through letters and continued to think about the future of education in China. This experience made him realize more clearly that only a truly independent school can realize his educational ideals.
At the end of 1905, with the help of friends, Ma Xiangbo finally regained his freedom. Although the Aurora Academy experience ended in failure, it did not shake his resolve. On the contrary, this setback strengthened his desire to establish a truly independent school.
Although the establishment of Aurora Academy was short-lived, its impact was far-reaching. It is not only the initial practice of Ma Xiangbo's personal education ideals, but also an important attempt in the history of modern Chinese education. Through this experience, Ma Xiangbo deeply realized that in order to achieve real education reform, it is necessary to get rid of the interference of foreign forces and establish completely independent schools.
This experience also laid the foundation for Ma Xiangbo to establish Fudan Public School in the future. He learned the lessons of Aurora Academy and paid more attention to the independence and autonomy of the school in the process of founding Fudan. It can be said that without the failure of the Aurora Academy, there would not have been the success of Fudan University.
3. The establishment of Fudan Public School: perseverance in the midst of difficulties
In 1905, Ma Xiangbo regained his freedom from house arrest at Aurora Academy. Despite the setbacks, he did not give up on his original purpose of running the school. On the contrary, this experience strengthened his determination to start a truly independent school.
At that time, China was in the midst of tremendous change. The Qing court abolished the thousand-year-old imperial examination system, and new forms of education sprung up. However, most schools still rely on foreign churches or governments for support, making it difficult to achieve true independence. Ma Xiangbo knows very well that only by getting rid of external interference can we cultivate talents who can truly save the country and save the people.
With this belief, Ma Xiangbo began to prepare for the new school. He named the school "Fudan Public School". The word "Fudan" is taken from the allusion of "the sun and the moon are glorious, and the sun and the moon are bright, and the sun is Fudan" in the "Shangshu · Da Yu Mo", which means that the bright days will reappear day by day, symbolizing the endless hope of the Chinese nation.
But how easy is it to start an independent school? The first problem Ma Xiangbo faced was funding. Without the support of the church, he had to rely on his own strength. In order to raise funds for running the school, Ma Xiangbo sold most of his property and even pawned the antique calligraphy and paintings at home. His spirit of self-sacrifice for the public has touched many like-minded people.
In November 1905, Fudan Public School officially opened in a rented house on Wusong Road in Shanghai. The first batch of students consisted of only 27 students, and there were only a dozen faculty members. Although the scale is not large, Ma Xiangbo's requirements for the school are not low at all. He personally developed a rigorous teaching plan that required students not only to learn about Chinese and Western cultures, but also to develop the ability to think independently.
The establishment of Fudan Public School was not without its challenges. Due to a lack of funding, the conditions of the school are very poor. Desks and chairs are often uneven in the classroom, and students have to bring their own desks and chairs to class. Once, the school was almost kicked out by the landlord because it couldn't pay the rent. Ma Xiangbo had to run around to barely raise some funds.
Despite this, Ma Xiangbo still adheres to high standards of running the school. He hired a group of knowledgeable teachers, including many celebrities of the time. For example, Wang Guowei, a well-known scholar, once taught at Fudan. Ma Xiangbo also attaches great importance to foreign language education and has hired a number of foreign teachers. He believes that to truly understand the West, it is necessary to master their language.
The curriculum of Fudan Public School is also very distinctive. In addition to traditional Chinese classics and Western disciplines, Ma Xiangbo also offers cutting-edge courses such as "Public International Law" and "Diplomatic History". These courses were unique in China at the time, opening a new window for students to learn about the world.
Ma Xiangbo's educational philosophy has been fully embodied in Fudan. He advocates "academic independence and freedom of thought", and encourages students to think independently and have the courage to question. In his opinion, only people with the ability to think independently can truly contribute to the country and the nation.
This educational philosophy quickly had an impact among the students. Fudan students not only excel academically, but also have a sense of social responsibility. When the Xinhai Revolution broke out in 1911, many Fudan students joined the revolution and contributed to the overthrow of Qing rule. This is gratifying to Ma Xiangbo, who believes that this is the true value of education.
However, the difficulties of running a school are far from over. In 1912, due to a shortage of funds, Fudan Public School was in danger of being closed. In order to keep the school running, Ma Xiangbo had to run around to raise funds. He even donated his salary to the school. Thanks to his efforts, Fudan finally got through the difficulties.
In 1913, Fudan Public School was renamed Fudan University and officially became an institution of higher learning. This marks that Ma Xiangbo's school-running career has reached a new level. However, he was not satisfied. He continued to promote the reform and development of Fudan University, striving to build Fudan into a world-class university.
Ma Xiangbo's practice in Fudan not only realized his educational ideals, but also made important contributions to the development of modern higher education in China. His philosophy of "academic independence and freedom of thought" is still the motto of Fudan University, influencing generations of Fudan people.
The founding process of Fudan University fully reflects Ma Xiangbo's perseverance and vision. He single-handedly founded the school, overcoming many difficulties and eventually establishing a prestigious institution of higher learning at home and abroad. This is not only his personal achievement, but also an important milestone in the history of modern Chinese education.
4. Joining the Ministry of Education: Reform and Challenges
In 1912, the Republic of China was founded, and the new government was in ruins. At this critical moment, Ma Xiangbo was invited by Cai Yuanpei, then Minister of Education, to serve as a counselor of the Ministry of Education. For Ma Xiangbo, this is a great opportunity to promote his educational philosophy to the whole country. Despite his age, he accepted the challenge without hesitation.
When Ma Xiangbo first joined the Ministry of Education, he was faced with a porous education system. Although the education reform at the end of the Qing Dynasty abolished the imperial examination system, the new education system had not yet been fully established. The quality of education varies from place to place. What is even more serious is that the nation's educational concept is still stuck in the old era, and it is difficult to adapt to the needs of the new China.
Faced with this situation, Ma Xiangbo proposed a series of reform plans. First of all, he advocated the establishment of a complete modern education system, from primary school to university, with clear educational goals and standards at each stage. Secondly, he emphasized the need to reform the teaching content and methods, introduce advanced Western educational concepts, and cultivate students' independent thinking ability. Finally, he proposed to improve the quality of teachers and establish a teacher education system.
These reform proposals were groundbreaking at the time. Many conservative officials believe Mr. Ma's ideas are too radical to implement. But Ma Xiangbo was not discouraged, and he used his influence to constantly promote his educational philosophy to all walks of life.
Thanks to Ma Xiangbo's efforts, some reform measures began to be implemented gradually. For example, in 1912, the Ministry of Education promulgated the Renzi School System, which was the first school system in China in the modern sense, laying the foundation for later educational development. Ma Xiangbo played an important role in the development of this school system, and he emphasized the importance of universal education.
However, the path to reform has not been easy. In 1913, Yuan Shikai usurped power and began to impose a dictatorship. Yuan Shikai was extremely wary of progressive intellectuals such as Ma Xiangbo, and began to intervene in the reform of the Ministry of Education. Many of Ma's recommendations have been shelved, and some of the reforms that have already been implemented have been reversed.
Faced with this situation, Ma Xiangbo did not give in. He continued to adhere to his educational philosophy and push for reform as much as possible. For example, he actively promoted the development of higher education and supported the construction of Peking University, Tsinghua Academy and other institutions of higher learning. He also encouraged international students to return to China to serve and train more high-level talents for China.
In 1915, Yuan Shikai became emperor, triggering a nationwide opposition. Ma Xiangbo is deeply worried about this, which he believes will seriously hinder China's modernization process. In this context, he decided to resign from the Ministry of Education and return to the front line of education.
Despite the setbacks in the reform of the Ministry of Education, Ma Xiangbo's efforts were not in vain. His experience at the Ministry of Education has made him more aware of the arduousness and complexity of China's education reform. These experiences provided valuable guidance for his later educational practice.
After leaving the Ministry of Education, Ma Xiangbo did not abandon the ideal of education reform. He continues to promote his educational philosophy at Fudan University, and is also actively involved in social education activities. For example, he has given many speeches in various places to promote new educational ideas and call on all sectors of society to attach importance to education.
In 1919, the May Fourth Movement broke out. One of the central demands of the movement was education reform, which gave Ma Xiangbo hope. He actively supported the patriotic actions of students, but also called for the transformation of China through education. He believes that only by cultivating a new generation with independent thinking ability and patriotic spirit can China truly achieve modernization.
Although Ma Xiangbo's experience in the Ministry of Education was only a few years, it had a profound impact on the development of modern education in China. Many of the educational reform concepts he proposed, such as universal education, emphasis on teacher training, and emphasis on students' ability to think independently, have been gradually implemented in later educational practice.
At the same time, Ma Xiangbo's experience also reflected the dilemma faced by Chinese intellectuals at that time. They entered the government with the ideals of reform, but were often thwarted by conservative forces. Despite this, education pioneers like Ma Xiangbo did not give up, and they continued to work silently in their respective positions, making great contributions to the modernization of China's education.
Ma Xiangbo's experience at the Ministry of Education is not only an important part of his personal education career, but also an important chapter in the history of modern education in China. It shows how an educator can uphold his ideals in a complex political environment and fight for the country's education for the rest of his life.
5. Achievements in Later Years: The Inheritance and Influence of Educational Thought
In his later years, although his health was getting weaker, his enthusiasm for education did not diminish in the slightest. In the early 1920s, Ma Xiangbo, who was already in his old age, was still active in the education sector and continued to contribute to the modernization of China's education.
In 1921, Ma Xiangbo was hired as a professor in the Department of Chinese Literature at Peking University. At Peking University, he taught two courses, "History of Chinese Literature" and "History of Chinese Philosophy". These two courses were unique in the Chinese higher education sector at that time. Ma Xiangbo not only explained the essence of ancient Chinese literature and philosophy in simple terms, but also compared them with Western thought, inspiring students to look at traditional Chinese culture from a broader perspective.
Ma Xiangbo's classes are often full. Among his students were many who went on to become leaders in Chinese academia, such as the famous philosopher Feng Youlan and the historian Gu Jiegang. In their later academic careers, these students have reflected the influence of Ma Xiangbo's educational ideas to varying degrees.
In 1922, Ma Xiangbo participated in the famous "Kexuan Controversy". This controversy revolved around the relationship between science and metaphysics (traditional Chinese philosophy) and was a major collision in Chinese thought at the time. In his polemics, Ma Xiangbo advocated "attaching equal importance to science and metaphysics", arguing that China's modernization requires both a scientific spirit and a complete abandonment of traditional culture. This view played an important role in reconciling the opposition between the radical and conservative factions of the time.
In 1923, Ma Xiangbo was invited to participate in the National Education Conference. At the meeting, he put forward the idea of "education to save the country". He believes that the fundamental way out for China to get rid of the situation of poverty and weakness lies in education. He particularly stressed the importance of universal education, and advocated that the government should vigorously develop primary education and improve the quality of the people. This proposition aroused wide resonance in the education circles at that time and became one of the important guiding ideologies of China's education policy later.
In 1924, at the age of 80, Ma Xiangbo returned to Fudan University, which he founded. Despite his advanced age, he continued to attend classes. His classes became one of the most popular courses at Fudan. Students not only learned from him, but were also touched by his unwavering commitment to education.
During his time at Fudan, Ma Xiangbo also actively promoted the school's international exchanges. He used his connections to invite a number of internationally renowned scholars to give lectures in Fudan. These exchange activities have greatly broadened the students' horizons and enhanced Fudan's international reputation.
In 1925, Ma Xiangbo co-founded Aurora University (the predecessor of today's Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine). The establishment of this school reflects the importance that Ma Xiangbo attached to medical education in his later years. He believes that in order to improve the health of the Chinese people, it is necessary to train a large number of high-level medical personnel. As a result of his efforts, Aurora University quickly became one of the best medical schools in China.
In 1926, at the age of 82, Ma Xiangbo published the book "History of Chinese Literature". This work is the culmination of his many years of teaching experience, which not only systematically sorts out the development of Chinese literature, but also incorporates his unique insights on the comparison of Chinese and Western cultures. As soon as this book was published, it was widely praised by the academic community and became an important reference work for the study of Chinese literature at that time.
In 1927, Ma Xiangbo participated in the initiation of the "Chinese Cultural Revival Movement". This movement aims to re-examine and promote traditional Chinese culture in the context of modernization. Ma Xiangbo believes that China's modernization should not be completely Westernized, but should be a fusion of Chinese and Western cultures. This idea had a profound impact on the development of Chinese culture in the future.
In 1928, at the age of 84, Ma Xiangbo was again invited to participate in the National Education Conference. At the conference, he delivered a speech entitled "The Future of Education in China". In his speech, he reviewed his more than half a century of education career, summarized the lessons of China's education reform, and put forward his own views on the future development of China's education. This speech was regarded as the culmination of Ma Xiangbo's educational thoughts, which caused great repercussions in the education circles at that time.
In 1929, Ma Xiangbo ushered in his 85th birthday. The national education community held a grand celebration in his honor. At the celebration, educators from all over the country expressed their respect for Ma Xiangbo. This is not only an affirmation of Ma Xiangbo's personal achievements, but also a recognition of his lifelong dedication to education.
In March 1930, Ma Xiangbo died of illness in Shanghai at the age of 86. His death reverberated across the country. People from all walks of life have issued eulogies to remember this educator who has struggled all his life for the modernization of China's education. After his death, his educational ideas did not die away, but continued to influence the development of education in China through his students and writings.
Ma Xiangbo's life is a monument in the history of modern Chinese education. From the end of the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, he experienced great changes in Chinese society, always adhered to his educational ideals, and made indelible contributions to the modernization of Chinese education. His educational ideas, especially the concepts of "integration of China and the West" and "education to save the country", still have a profound impact on Chinese education.