The recent launch of a fengshui training program -- the first of its kind on the Chinese mainland -- has caught the attention of the media.

The training program, co-sponsored and held by China Architectural Culture Centre under the Ministry of Construction and the prestigious Nanjing University in eastern Jiangsu Province, aims to teach basics about traditional Chinese architecture and the ancient practice of fengshui.

Fengshui, which translates as "wind and water," is a centuries-old Chinese discipline of geography, architecture, ethics and prophecy based on the Taoist principle that the earth, sky and Homo apiens are part of one whole.

As fengshui makes a comeback in China, more and more individuals and organizations are approaching fengshui experts for various advice, from how to decorate their homes to where to rent office space.

Pros and cons

The debate over whether fengshui is science or a superstition had been going on among top scientists long before the new training program was launched.

Tao Shilong, a noted science fiction writer, warned in an online forum earlier this year that the superstitous fengshui was making a comeback in China "in the name of science."

His view was echoed by Chen Zhihua a renowned architect and professor at Tsinghua University. "Fengshui is no science. It only fills the wallets of some charlatans," he said.

In China's rural areas, families often fight over a piece of land that promises good fengshui. "The fight sometime results in a feud that continues for generations. These are tragedies of the Chinese nation," said Chen.

But Yu Xixian, a professor of Peking University, thinks otherwise.

"Many people tried to discourage me when I took up the study of fengshui in the 1980s," he said. "As far as I remember, fengshui consulting was first discouraged in the 1920s when Western architectural culture entered China."

Though the Chinese Government never banned the practice officially, fengshui is defined in Chinese dictionaries as "superstitious beliefs in ancient China."

"Fengshui, having long been part of Chinese culture, was founded in the Yangshao culture period some 6,500 years ago," he said.

"Many consider it to be a form of magic, but really, it's all about the simple philosophy of living in harmony with your environment," said Han Zenglu, a professor of Beijing Civil Engineering University.

As a specialist on city planning, Han said frankly he "admires the seasoned fengshui masters in ancient times."

"Fengshui stresses balance and co-ordination in urban planning, ideal space between buildings and comfort of the dwellers -- modern constructions often lack these qualities," said Han, 68.

Popularity regained

"It's not news at all for fengshui to enter universities," said Peking University's Yu, who offered fengshui studies in the early 1990s as an elective course open to all students at Peking University. "The auditorium was packed with over 100 people each year."

Yu has also been giving lectures on fengshui at several universities in Hong Kong and Taiwan, where people remain keen on the subject.

"In fact, fengshui is quite popular in many countries. A student from the Republic of Korea got the world's first PhD in fengshui studies in the United States in the 1970s," he said. "A Japanese professor once told me that at least 110 universities in Japan offer fengshui courses."

In the 1980s, fengshui became popular in Europe, too, he said.

Mr Cao, a self-proclaimed "fengshui expert" who has registered at the training program in Nanjing, said there's massive potential for his knowledge in the countryside. Cao declined to give his full name.

"The villagers often consult a fengshui master when they need to build a new house or misfortunes keep haunting their families," said Cao, from Gaochun County on the outskirts of Nanjing.

Another fengshui practitioner based in Nanjing said at least 70 per cent of the city's real estate projects are evaluated by fengshui masters before construction begins.

Whether it is science or superstition, today's fengshui consulting service is almost 100 per cent commercial, said Cai Dafeng, a professor with the Shanghai-based Tongji University.

"Fengshui undoubtedly deserves further research from folk culture and architectural standpoints, but it's irresponsible to promote it merely for economic reasons," said Cai.

Media coverage

Despite widespread media coverage on the event, Nanjing University has denied its involvement in the training program over the weekend, Beijing News reported on Monday.

"We're not involved whatsoever in these fengshui courses," a member of staff at the president's office was quoted as saying. "Those reports are all unfounded and are sheer fabrications."

The member of staff, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the deal was reached between China Architectural Culture Centre and the university's Book of Changes Research Institute. "The institute does not represent Nanjing University and their pact does not bear the university's official seal," she noted.

Li Shuyou, head of the institute, declined to comment.

On September 5, the Nanjing-based Jinling Evening News conducted a special report entitled "Nanjing University professor refutes bias against fengshui masters," which was based on an exclusive interview with Li, a philosophy professor.

The Yangzi Evening News, another leading local newspaper, published an editorial the very next day. "Fengshui has been denounced ever since New China was founded. Does the university mean to promote superstition?" it asked.

Sources with the Beijing-based China Architectural Culture Centre, nevertheless, said the program will continue despite Nanjing University's public disavowal. "The university board is probably under pressure because fengshui is such a sensitive topic," said another anonymous source at the university.

Xu Shaoshan, a researcher at the centre, said their two registration offices in Beijing and Nanjing had received over 1,000 telephone queries by last Friday, mainly from realtors, self-acclaimed fengshui experts and other interested individuals.

The currently registered 20 trainees will pay 5,800 yuan (US$720) each to attend courses that are to be given by renowned architects, including two academicians.

(China Daily September 15, 2005)