The Liang family legacy is a testament to three generations’ resilience, dedication to societal progress, and significant impact on Chinese architecture and culture. Personal resilience and commitment to societal progress were revered in the annals of Chinese history and traditional Chinese medicine.
The story of the Liang family’s three generations vividly illustrates this. Liang Congjie once lamented: “One generation is not as good as the other. My grandfather (Liang Qichao) is the most knowledgeable, and my father (Liang Sicheng) is very accomplished in architecture.
“I just have a deeper understanding of China’s reality than both my grandfather and father. I have been at the bottom of society for eight years and have directly felt the people’s pain. Three generations of us are losers!” While this might appear as a tragic admission, it also encapsulates a deep-rooted sense of duty and perseverance across generations.
Liang Sicheng’s role in the Liang family legacy as a pioneer in the study of ancient architecture
Liang Sicheng, the eldest son of Liang Qichao, was lauded as a prominent architect. Born in Japan, he returned with his parents to China in 1913 and pursued his early education at Tsinghua School. In 1924, he continued his education in the United States, earning a master’s degree from the Department of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. Upon returning to China, he chose to work at Northeastern University, establishing the first architecture department in Northern China.
In 1931, he joined the China Construction Society in Beijing, dedicating his efforts to studying ancient Chinese architecture. Between 1931 and 1937, he journeyed through North China, venturing into remote villages to investigate ancient edifices like Foguang Temple and Jinci Temple. His scholarly reports, employing modern scientific methods, laid the groundwork for systematic research into Chinese architectural history.
Completed during the Anti-Japanese War in 1937, his History of Chinese Architecture became an essential contribution to Chinese scholarly literature. He also penned an accessible “Catalogue of the History of Chinese Architecture” in English for the international community. Recognizing the absence of architectural talent post-World War II, he founded the Department of Architecture at Tsinghua University and was honored with an honorary doctorate from Princeton University in 1947.
The Cultural Revolution and its impact on Liang Sicheng
Despite his significant contributions, Liang Sicheng faced severe criticism in 1955 for advocating a national architectural style. His multifaceted achievements included advancements in architectural theory, education, and urban planning. However, during the Cultural Revolution, he endured unfathomable humiliation and passed away in 1972, leaving behind a legacy marred by tragedy, but also marked by resilience.
Three generations of sacrifice and service: From Liang Qichao to Liang Congjie
Liang Congjie’s reflections resonate with the enduring struggles of his grandfather and father, epitomizing the Confucian principle of sacrificing oneself for societal good. His grandfather, Liang Qichao, once a reformer opposing the imperial system and advocating for constitutional government, faced exile to Japan after the failure of his reform endeavors. From there, he continued his advocacy through journalism, even opposing Yuan Shikai’s self-proclamation as emperor until his death in 1929.
Liang Sicheng, a prodigy from his youth, faced his own challenges. Despite significant contributions to Chinese architecture and education, his staunch opposition to demolishing the Beijing city wall led to ideological clashes with the authorities. His wife, Lin Huiyin, succumbed to illness and grief as the wall was demolished, a loss that deeply affected Sicheng. Ultimately, he suffered during the Cultural Revolution, branded a “reactionary academic authority.” His life ended tragically in 1972, expelled from Tsinghua University and consigned to rural hardship.
Liang Congjie: Continuing the legacy amid adversity
Born into this intellectually rich but politically fraught lineage, Liang Congjie embodied the intellectual legacy and societal consciousness of his forebears. A graduate in world history, his career was disrupted by the Cultural Revolution. Branded a descendant of “reactionary academic authorities,” he spent eight years in labor reform, mastering practical skills like carpentry and farming. Upon his return to Beijing, he struggled to find employment, but eventually worked as an editor for the Encyclopedia of China due to his proficiency in English.
Liang Congjie aptly summarized their collective struggles: “China’s political culture is a culture that cannot listen to and does not allow different voices to be heard. All three generations of us spoke of voices other than those in power, and all suffered bad fate.” Indeed, their lives underscored the persistent tension between intellectual autonomy and political authority, a dynamic that remains relevant today as society grapples with similar issues of freedom and expression.
Conclusion: Lessons for modern times
The Liang family’s story teaches us about dedication, resilience, and sacrifice for the greater good. Their experiences reflect broader historical and cultural themes that resonate today, emphasizing the enduring importance of intellectual freedom, the value of historical preservation, and the necessity of advocating for societal progress despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The Liang family’s legacy remains a poignant reminder of the need to balance tradition with modernity and to advocate for justice and societal well-being through informed and compassionate action.
Translated by Chua BC
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