How Ancient Philosophies Shape Modern Asian Literature

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video introduces students to four major Asian philosophies—Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism—and explores how these ancient belief systems influence contemporary Asian literature. Using a narrative framing device involving a writer named Liu Hao who has lost his memory, the host guides viewers through the definitions, key texts, and core tenets of each philosophy. The video emphasizes that philosophy is the study of life's important questions and encourages students to reflect on their own guiding principles. The lesson provides a structured comparison of the four philosophies, highlighting their unique focuses—from Confucianism's emphasis on social order and respect to Taoism's connection with nature. It explains the concept of "philosophical literature" and demonstrates how to identify philosophical themes in modern texts. A specific analysis of an excerpt from Cao Wenxuan's novel *Bronze and Sunflower* serves as a model for how students can spot Taoist influences like appreciating nature and "going with the flow" in character actions. Ideally suited for middle school Language Arts or World History classes, this video bridges the gap between abstract historical concepts and concrete literary analysis. It provides clear definitions, opportunities for student interaction through pause-and-think moments, and real-world examples of authors like Linda Sue Park and Grace Lin who incorporate these traditions. Teachers can use this resource to introduce a unit on world mythology, Asian literature, or to teach the skill of analyzing theme and cultural context in fiction.