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dr Lilin Wu
Adiunkt
Instytut Studiów Klasycznych, Śródziemnomorskich i Orientalnych
Zakład Studiów Chińskich, pok. 9
e-mail: lilin.wu@uwr.edu.pl
Original Articles
· [2024] WU L., “Interpreting Matteo Ricci through the Lens of Pope John Paul II: Exploring the Encounter of Faith and Culture,” in Studia Bobolanum (03/2024), AKW Collegium Bobolanum, Warsaw 2024, 95-121 (in English and the summary in Polish).
· [2024] WU L., «Tra fede e immaginazione: un’intrecciata relazione dialettica» in Sacra Doctrina (01/2024), Edizioni Studio Domenicano, Bologna 2024, 237-250 (in Italian).
· [2023] WU L., «Felicità e felix culpa nella vita cristiana» in Sacra Doctrina (02/2023), Edizioni Studio Domenicano, Bologna 2023, 250-259 (in Italian).
· [2023] WU L., “Exploring St. John Paul II’s View on the Interplay of Faith and Culture,” in Studia Bobolanum (04/2023), AKW Collegium Bobolanum, Warsaw 2023, 131-150 (in English and the summary in Polish).
· [2021] WU L., “The contemplative in action or the activist in contemplation? The confrontation between Louis Lallemant and Thomas Merton” in Journal of Catholic Thoughts and Culture, Yuan Dao-Li Madou study center, Hong Kong-Macerata, 2021,105-129 (in Chinese).
http://www.limadou.org/zh/pubblicazioni-2/2012-10-12-09-25-55/2021-08-20-15-42-59.html
· [2019] Monography: WU L., Thomas Merton’s Journey of Contemplation, Yuan Dao-Li Madou Study Center, Hong Kong-Macerata, 2019 (in Chinese).
· [2016] WU L., “Thomas Merton and Etty Hillesum: Mentors of Interreligious Dialogue” in Study of Christianity, Beijing: Chinese Society of Social Science, 2016, 95-105 (in Chinese).
· [2014] WU L., “Thomas Merton on Contemplation and action,” in The World Religious Cultures (CSSCI), (03/2014), 64-94 (in Chinese).
· [2014] WU L.,«Mit Merton waschen», in Vier-Türme GmbH in Kontemplativ Leben: Erinnerungen an Thomas Merton edited by Detlev Cuntz and Wunibald Müller. Münsterschwarzach: Vier Türme, 2014, 297-304 (in German).
· [2013] WU L., “The Dimension of Art and the Dimension of the Divine: Exploring Michelangelo’s Four Pietà,” in Le Religiose e Culture Mondiale (CSSCI), (03/2013) 82-87 (in Chinese).
· [2012] WU L., “Literature Review on Thomas Merton” in Yearbook of Religious Studies in China (2011-2012), China Association of Social Science (CASS), 429-453 (in Chinese).
· [2012] WU L., “A Critical Review of Paul Tillich’s Art Style Theory” in Journal of Changshu Institute of Technology (05/2012), (Chang Shu, 2012), 100-103 (in Chinese).
Translations
· [2022] WU L., translated the article of ASTELL W. A., “Biblical Images of God and the Reader’s “I” as Imago Dei: The Contribution of Edith Stein,” in Study of Christianity, vol. 30, Beijing: Chinese Society of Social Science, 2022, 2-15 (in Chinese).
· [2021] WU L., translated the article of CAVADINI J., “The Church as the Sacrament of Creation: A Reading of Origen’s Commentary on the Song of Songs,” in Study of Christianity, vol. 29., Beijing: Chinese Society of Social Science, 2021, 32-58 (in Chinese).
· [2018] WU L., translated the article of CAVADINI J., “The Mystery of St. Joseph in the Memory of the Church,” in Study of Christianity, vol. 23., Beijing: Chinese Society of Social Science, 2018, 30-44 (in Chinese).
Conferences
· May 26-28, 2023, Camaldoli, Arezzo (IT)
International Conference on Christianity and Chinese Mysticism: Dialogue with Living Faiths – Logos and Tao
Presentation: Lilin Wu – Thomas Merton and The Tao
· June 4-7, 2015, Bellarmine University, Louisville, Kentucky (USA)
The Fourteenth General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society: Merton 100 – Living the Legacy
Presentation: Lilin Wu – “The Present is a Gift: What Thomas Merton teaches us to enjoy our ordinary life?”
1. Introduction
My research is driven by a dual interest: the exploration of cross-cultural and interreligious dialogue, and the introduction of Chinese cultures and religions to Europe. As a native Chinese speaker with nearly a decade of experience living in Europe, I am uniquely positioned to bridge these two worlds. My fascination with European culture, its origins, and its similarities and differences with Chinese cultures and religions, inspired my dedication to finding more effective ways to integrate the Eastern and Western civilizations. On the one hand, I have been trying to present Chinese cultural and religious heritage to Europe in a manner aligned with European languages and customs. On the other hand, translating and presenting European cultural treasures to China is equally stimulating.
To achieve this, I have concentrated my research on Christianity, theology, and philosophy, believing that the first essential step in dialogue is to understand others accurately and profoundly. By immersing myself in these fields, I felt grounded in mutual understanding, facilitating meaningful cross-cultural and interreligious exchanges. Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci’s accommodatio approach always guided and encouraged me: accommodating myself into Europe and dialoguing with religions and cultures on this continent. As I deepened in this field, I also recognized more clearly what Chinese religions and culture are. Amidst the differences and similarities between China and Europe, I discovered my roots, a more profound sense of self, and the land I originally came from, experiencing a personal transformation and self-realization through research activities.
2. Research priorities
My research is primarily focused on the dynamic relationship between faith and culture, and faith and reason. The main inspiring figures guiding my research are John Paul II, Maurice Blondel, Matteo Ricci, Thomas Merton, Karl Rahner, Etty Hillesum, and Edith Stein (a well-known alumna of the University of Wrocław).
Through these figures, I explore how faith transforms into culture and how culture, in turn, enriches faith expressions. Edith Stein and Etty Hillesum exemplify the dynamic between Jewish and Christian religions. John Paul II revitalized the relationship between faith and culture, while Maurice Blondel harmonized theology and philosophy. Thomas Merton engaged in dialogue with various religions, such as Islam, Judaism, Taoism, and Buddhism, sparking a wave of contemplation. Matteo Ricci uniquely integrated the Christian faith and Chinese culture, a legacy waiting for a deeper exploration. Karl Rahner promoted Christian anthropology and the theory of religious inclusivism.
3. The Uniqueness and Contributions of the Research
As a Chinese scholar, my research stands out due to its bicultural vision. When I was 21 years old, guided by Karl Rahner, I initially approached Christianity. This experience allowed me to explore religious phenomena through a unique cultural lens. In my work on Thomas Merton and Matteo Ricci, I felt at home exploring interreligious dialogue and intercultural accommodation. This cross-cultural focus remains central to my research, and the main contribution of my research is to offer a distinctive view based on an intercultural and interreligious horizon.
4. Impact on Cultural and Religious Studies
Research on cultural and religious studies always helps me to confirm again and again the transcendental dimension of human beings. The anthropological approach is the key to opening the mystery of culture and religion. Such studies also enrich the knowledge of philosophy and psychology. For instance, recently, I published a paper discussing the relationship between faith and imagination. The issue of faith is not only a religious issue but also includes the method of knowing and precepting this world of human beginnings.
5. Future Research Directions
Currently, I am exploring the relationship between faith and reason, drawing from John Paul II and Maurice Blondel. My research questions include:
· Should philosophy maintain neutrality, remaining devoid of personal historical backgrounds or religious affiliations, thus completely detached from religion? Are Christian and Catholic philosophies legitimate under philosophical frameworks?
· Must theology necessarily rely on philosophy as a tool for its systematization, and how can theology avoid becoming mere speculative philosophical discourse divorced from actual religious beliefs and spiritual practices?
· What is reason, and what is faith? How does the relationship between reason and faith relate to the interplay between philosophy and theology?
· How can we maintain a clear distinction between nature and supernature while also ensuring they remain unified?
In Fides et Ratio, Pope John Paul II significantly asserted that “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.”1Maurice Blondel alsoaffirmed the integration of faith and reason, stating that faith is full and reason is empty – faith provides the content, and reason offers the instrument2. John Paul II’s affirmation of the harmony between faith and reason signifies Blondel’s triumph3. This ongoing research delves into the dynamic interplay between faith and reason, drawing on the profound insights of St. John Paul II and Maurice Blondel to develop a new approach to understanding religion and human beings.
