February 1999

Metaphysics on Campus

     Walking along Temple Street, three teenage girls were eye-caught by the fortune-tellers but they didn't visited one after they found that each interview costs 300 dollars.

     "It is too expensive," said one of the girls, Asura Lo Mei Ling, a 19-year-old university student.

     In fact, many teenagers these days are curious about mystical beliefs like palmistry, physiognomy and feng shui, which are believed to be superstitious.

     Some enthusiasts have organised a Metaphysical Study Society. Brain Choy Wai Kei, the chairperson of the Metaphysical Study Society of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said he has been deeply interested in the study of metaphysics since he was in the lower form of the secondary school, and learned about it seriously after entering the university.

     Some people refuse to talk about metaphysics. Some people regard it as a religion by its fortune-telling characteristics. Mr. Choy explained that metaphysics is a kind of specific knowledge which has its own values supported by evidences.

     For example, physiognomy is used as a method of deterring criminal tendency while feng shui is applicable to environmental studies.

     Formed five years ago, the Society has been introducing metaphysics to the students in The Chinese University of Hong Kong by organising different campaigns.

     On 24 September, Li Ying Choi, a local professional in the metaphysics field was invited to conduct a talk on palmistry and physiognomy. A lot of students as well as many outsiders were attracted.

     Every month, there is a long queue in the campus because the committee members set up a fortune-telling booth somewhere. They charge 30 dollars per interview.

     "Even the wife of the United College's Dean had come to pay for a visit," said Mr. Choy.

     Courses on metaphysics, including the study of Yi Ching and the Eight Characters are offered but very few people learn it seriously.

     Said Mr. Choy: "Most of the members, especially the girls, are only curious about their future loves and careers but not interested in learning metaphysics. "

     One of the 70 members of the society, Mabel Yu Man Shan, a Year 1 student studying biochemistry in The Chinese University of Hong Kong doesn't believe nor understand what metaphysics is.

     "As a science student, I cannot find convincing evidence to make me believe in it," said she.

     To achieve the goal, the committee still has a long way to go.

     "People are too conservative to accept it," said Mr. Choy, "But we will not give up."

     Dick Yuen, the former chairperson of the society commented that believing metaphysics irrationally was wrong and ignorant.

     "Some people believe that every aspect of their lives, including the frequency of going to toilet, has been decided. In fact, We should have critical attitudes towards metaphysics because it is not perfectly correct," said he.

     Professor Tsang Kit Shing, a part-time lecturer of the Chinese University of Hong Kong teaching Chinese culture, also reminded people to be objective towards metaphysics, rather than believing it as all-powerful.

     "I think feng shui, palmistry and physiognomy are all superstitions in the Chinese society. They are based on a sandy foundation," said he.

     After all, the committee wants to increase peoples' knowledges of metaphysics by introducing Qigong and horoscopes. To promote and clarify the concepts of metaphysics, they plan to publish some easy-to-read brochures.

     "Metaphysics is the treasure of Chinese culture. I really hope more people would explore it," said he.

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