Walking Marxist Dictionary Chen Xianda: The Pursuit of Truth Sometimes Burns theExplorer’s Fingers
By [Your Name], Senior Journalist and Editor
The air in the East Hall of the Babaoshan Funeral Home was thick with grief. A photograph of a man with a gentle expression and sharp eyes hung in the centerof the mourning hall. On October 18th, a farewell ceremony was held for Chen Xianda, a renowned Marxist philosopher and educator, who passed awayon October 10th at the age of 94.
Chen Xianda, affectionately known as the Walking Marxist Dictionary by his students, dedicated his life to teaching and research. He was a prominent figure in thefirst generation of Marxist theorists cultivated in China. He joined the philosophy research program at Renmin University of China in 1953 and remained a faculty member after graduating in 1956.
His legacy is not justconfined to the classroom. Chen Xianda was a constant presence on the campus, often seen taking his daily walks, twice a day, around the grounds of Renmin University. Students would recognize him and approach him for advice, engaging in lively discussions on a wide range of topics, from history to current events. His guidancehas nurtured a generation of scholars, including three Changjiang Scholars and numerous university leaders and academic leaders.
Even in his later years, Chen Xianda remained active, continuing to supervise doctoral students until his official retirement in 2019. Zhang Nannan, a student who entered Renmin University in 2016, remembers her white-haired mentor, who lived on campus, always eager to share his wisdom.
Life is a struggle, a heavy responsibility, he wrote in his poem My Ninetieth Year. Ninety springs and autumns, thirty thousand nights and dawns… Finite life, merging into thetorrent of power, will become eternal!
In his final days, Chen Xianda was hospitalized, his speech becoming slurred. Despite his weakened state, his mind remained sharp. Professor Hao Lixin, a senior lecturer at Renmin University, remembers a poignant moment. It was during the 3rd Plenary Session ofthe 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Chen Xianda, unable to speak clearly, inquired about the content of the session. It was around 4 pm, and Hao Lixin, upon receiving a news notification on his phone, began to read the news aloud to his mentor.Upon finishing, Chen Xianda gave a thumbs up.
Chen Xianda’s life was a testament to the pursuit of truth. He believed that the exploration of truth, while challenging and sometimes painful, was ultimately a worthwhile endeavor. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of students and scholars to strive for adeeper understanding of the world and its complexities.
References:
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Note: This article is based on the provided information and aims to follow the writing guidelines. Further research and interviews with individuals mentioned in the articlewould enrich the content and provide a more comprehensive understanding of Chen Xianda’s life and work.
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