Dr. Manfred Kubny
Internationales Kolleg für Geisteswissenschaftliche Forschung "Schicksal, Freiheit und Prognose. Bewältigungsstrategien in Ostasien und Europa"
Ulrich-Schalk-Str. 3a
91056 Erlangen
- E-Mail: manfred.kubny@ikgf.uni-erlangen.de
- Telefon: +49 9131 85 20618
Director of the International Academy for Traditional Chinese Astrology (IATCA®), Berlin (Germany)
Home Institution: European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Germany)
IKGF Visiting Fellow April - Sept 2011
(Last change of profile by end of stay.)
IKGF Research Project:
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Manfred Kubny is a sinologist, with a research focus on traditional Chinese Life Sciences. In his doctoral thesis, he analysed the history of the Chinese concept of Qi. The resulting monograph (list of publications) is the most detailed discussion of the concept of Qi produced in a Western language so far. A translation of the German original into English is planned.
Next, Dr. Kubny focused his scientific interest on the methods of human personality diagnosis, known as the system of Bazi Suanming. He is also conversant with the history and theory of Chinese medicine, especially the Daoist longevity techniques, the Chinese psychology of space, commonly known as Feng Shui, and the strategic system of Qimen Dunjia, "The Mystic Gates and the Hidden Yang-Wood". Hence the links in his work to Daoism are manifold.
Currently, Dr. Kubny is in the process of completing his study of musical therapy.
Academic Training
| 2010 | Co-therapist at the Karl Jaspers Clinic, working with patients suffering from psychosis, somatic disorder, anxiety and panic attacks, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder |
| Since 2008 | Scholar at the Institute for Musical Therapy, University of Hamburg, studying musical therapy under the guidance of Prof. Decker-Vogt, the leading expert in musical therapy in Europe |
| 1994 | Doctorate (PhD) at Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich in Sinology (major), Japanology (minor) and History of Medicine (Minor) Doctoral Thesis: "Qi – Concepts of Life force in Ancient China, with Special Consideration of Modern Qigong Literature" |
| 1991 – 1994 | Postgraduate student at Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich specializing in Sinology (major) and Japanology (minor) |
| 1992 – 1993 | Complementary Study of Health Pedagogics at the Sebastian-Kneipp-Academy culminating in the award of the Diploma of Health Pedagogics SKA |
| 1989 – 1990 | DAAD Scholarship at the National Taiwan Normal University, Mandarin Training Center, Taipei, Taiwan |
| 1988 | Magister Artium (Master of Arts) at Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich MA thesis: "The Problem of Insanity in Chinese Culture: Wang Kentang's (1552-1632) discussion of Consciousness and Will in the Chapter Shen Zhi Men 'Introduction to consciousness and will'" |
| 1986 | Chinese Language College of Kuo-Yü Ri-Pao Newspaper in Taipei, Taiwan |
| 1984 – 1988 | Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich: Study of Sinology (major), Japanology (minor), History of Medicine (minor), and Theory and History of Music (minor until 1987) |
| 1983 – 1984 | Taiji Quan – Trainer and Instructor diploma from the Taiji Quan Association of the National Health Office of Taiwan |
| 1983 – 1984 | Fu-jen University, Mandarin Language Center, Taipei, Taiwan |
| 1980 – 1983 | University of Würzburg: Sinology (major), Japanology (minor), Theory and History of Music (minor) |
Further Data regarding Professional Development
| Since July 2009 | Fellow of the International Consortium for Research in the Humanities "Fate, Freedom and Prognostication. Strategies of Coping with the Future in East Asia and Europe." (Schicksal, Freiheit und Prognose. Bewältigungsstrategien in Ostasien und Europa Internationales Kolleg für Geisteswissenschaftliche Forschung) of the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg |
| Since Nov. 2007 | Coordinator of the "Institute for Transcultural Health-Sciences" at the European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder) of the subject of Ethnomedicine |
| Since Nov. 2006 | Lecturer of the Horst-Görtz Institute for the History, Theory and Ethics of the Chinese Life-Sciences under the directorate of Prof. P.U. Unschuld at the Charité, Humboldt University, Berlin |
| Jan. – Oct. 2006 | Lecturer at the Institute for the History of Medicine, LMU, Munich |
| Since 2002 | Founder and director of the IATCA (International Academy for Traditional Chinese Astrology) as a private sinological institute, which investigates traditional Chinese divination techniques |
| 2002 | Academic lecturer in Sinology and Chinese medicine-related techniques at the Private Universität Witten, Herdecke |
| 1999 – 2002 | Academic lecturer in Sinology at the University of Freiburg |
| 1998 – 2002 | Shareholder of Fangshu GbR, a company which organizes commercial seminars about Traditional Chinese Life-Sciences in Germany |
| 1998 – 2000 | Expert Consultant to the Microware International Consulting Group, Neuss, Malaga, regarding all business activities in People's Republic of China |
| 1997 – 1999 | Coordinator of the "Academy of Worms for Medizin and Reformed Healing Techniques", under the guidance of Prof. F.A. Popp |
| 1994 – 1998 | General Manager of the Hai-De GmbH, Neuss, Shanghai (part of the Microware Group) |
| 1991 – 1993 | Instructor in Taiji Quan at the Free School for Music in Munich |
| 1983 – 1989 | Instructor in Taiji Quan at the Municipal People's University, Augsburg |
| 1990 – 1991 | Representative of Asia-Europe-Tours in Taipei, Taiwan |
| 1989 – 1990 | Postgraduate scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) realized at Shifan University, Taipei |
| 1988 – 1989 | Scientific Assistance in the Institute for the History of Medicine of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, under the guidance of Prof. P.U. Unschuld |
| 1983 – 1989 | Instructor on developing an education system for Taiji Quan at the Municipal People's University, Augsburg |
| 1981 – 1983 | Instructor in Piano at the Municipal School of Music, Bad Mergentheim |
Publications
Books
- Feng Shui: Die Struktur der Welt – Geschichte und Konzepte der chinesischen Raumpsychologie. [Feng Shui: The Structure of the World – History and Concepts of the Chinese Psychology of Space], (Drachen Verlag) Klein Jasedow 2008.
- Traditionelle chinesische Astrologie – Bazi Suanming – Die Schicksalsberechnung nach den acht Zeichen. [Traditional Chinese Astrology – Bazi Suanming – The Calculation of Life by the Eight Characters], (Kehrer Verlag) Heidelberg 2000.
- Traditioneller chinesischer Mondkalender – Das chinesische Mondjahr und das westliche Sonnenjahr von 1910 – 2020. [The Traditional Chinese Calendar – The Chinese Moon Year and the Western Solar Year], (Kehrer Verlag) Heidelberg 2000.
- Qi – Lebenskraftkonzepte in China: Definitionen, Theorien und Grundlagen. [Qi – Concepts of the Life Force in China – Definition, Theories and Fundamentals] [Dissertation, LMU München], (Karl F. Haug Verlag) Heidelberg 1995.
Collaborator on sinological publications
- Paul Ulrich Unschuld: Chinesisch Lesen Lernen – Eine Einführung in die Sprache und Thematik heutiger chinesischer zhongyi – Fachliteratur. [Learning to Read Chinese – An Introduction to the Language and Topics of Contemporary Chinese Zhongyi-Literature], (Cygnus Verlag) München 1992.
Contributions to multi-author publications
- Stress und Lebenszeit. (in) Noll u. Kirschbaum (Hrsg.): Stress in der chinesischen Medizin. [Stress and Lifetime (with regard to the system of Bazi Suanming). (in) Concepts of Stress in Chinese Medicine], (Urban & Fischer, Elsevier) München 2006.
- Chronobiologische Diagnoseverfahren: Bazi Suanming. (in) Focks, Claudia und Hillenbrand, Norman (Hrsg.): Leitfaden chinesischen Medizin. [Chronobiological Methods of Diagnostics: Bazi Suanming. (in) Guide to Chinese medicine], (Urban & Fischer, Elsevier) München 2003:115-146 [5th edition].
- Das numerologische Abbild der Schöpfung: Himmelsstämme und Erdzweige. (in) Focks, Claudia und Hillenbrand, Norman (Hrsg.): Leitfaden chinesischen Medizin [The Numerological Image of Creation: Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches (in) Guide to Chinese medicine], (Urban & Fischer, Elsevier) München 2003:89-114 [5th edition].
- Die Entwicklungsgeschichte des chinesischen Konzeptes Qi als Lebenskraft im Hinblick auf seine qualitative Bedeutung bei der traditionell korrekten Ausführung der Übungen des Qigong und des Yangsheng. In: G. Hildenbrand, M. Geißler, S. Stein (Hrsg.): Das Qi kultvieren - Die Lebenskraft nähren. Westlich-Östliche Perspektiven zu Theorie und Praxis des Qigong und Yangsheng. [The Development of the Chinese Concept of Qi as an Expression of the Life Force and its Influence regarding the Correct Practice of Qigong and Yangsheng (in) Cultivating the Qi and Nourishing the Life force – Western and Eastern Perspectives on the Theory and Practice of Qigong and Yangsheng], (Medizinisch Literarische Verlagsgesellschaft mbH) Uelzen 1998.
- Der Begriff des Körperlichkeit innerhalb der Theorien des traditionellen chinesischen Yangsheng und des modernen Qigong. In: Jahresheft der Medizinischen Gesellschaft für Qigong Yangsheng [Ideas of Corporeality in the Theories of Traditional Chinese Yangsheng and Modern Qigong (in) Yearbook of the Medical Society for Qigong Yangsheng], Bonn 1997, 64-74.
Sinological essays
- Schicksalswissen - Im Gespräch mit Meister Wang Shiwen und Meister Li Gongming. [Knowing Fate – A Conversation with Master Wang Shiwen and Master Li Gongming] (in) Feng Shui Journal 12 (2006) 12-19.
- Die Geschichte des Feng Shui – Teil 4: Über das Ende der Qing-Zeit und den Wandel Chinas in der Kulturrevolution. [History of Feng Shui – Part 4: The End of the Qing-Dynasty and China's Changes during the Cultural Revolution], (in) Feng Shui Journal 11 (2005) 12-19.
- Geschichte des Feng Shui – Teil 3: Die Aufsplitterung der Feng-Shui-Schulen in der Qing-Zeit. [History of Feng Shui – Part 3: The Division of the Schools of Feng Shui during the Qing Dynasty], (in) Feng Shui Journal 10 (2005) 14-21.
- Die Geschichte des Feng Shui – Teil 2: Konzepte der Song- und der Ming-Zeit. [History of Feng Shui – Part 2: Concepts during the Song and Ming Dynasties], (in) Feng Shui Journal 9 (2004) 24-31.
- Die Geschichte des Feng Shui – Teil 1: Vom Neolithikum bis zum Ende der Tang-Zeit. [History of Feng Shui – Part 1: From Neolith to the End of the Tang Dynasty], (in) Feng Shui Journal 8 (2004) 12-19.
- Qimen Dunjia "Die mystischen Tore und die verborgenen Schilder" – Das Strategiesystem der chinesischen Kaiser. [Qimen Dunjia – The Mystic Gates and the Hidden Shields – The Strategic System of Chinese Emperors], (in) Feng Shui Journal 7 (2004) 26-31.
- Beschützt vor allem Übel – Die Bedeutung von Erdgöttern und Türgöttern für das klassische Feng Shui. [Protected against every Evil – The Meaning of the Gods of Earth and the God of Doors], (in) Feng Shui Journal 6 (2003) 22-26.
- Fremde Zeichen – Traditionelle chinesische Wissenschaften und die Schwierigkeiten der chinesischen Sprache. [Foreign Characters – Traditional Chinese Sciences and the Difficulties of the Chinese Language], (in) Feng Shui Journal 5 (2003) 20-27.
- Die Lehre des Herzens – Der idealistische Neokonfuzianismus und sein Einfluss auf intuitive Wege im Feng Shui. [The Doctrine of the Heart – Idealistic Neo-Confucianism and its Influence on the Intuitive Methods of Feng Shui], (in) Feng Shui Journal 4 (2003) 12-17.
- Qi und die Struktur der Welt – Das moderne Feng Shui fußt auf dem rationalistischen Neokonfuzianismus der Song-Zeit. [Qi and the Structure of the Universe – Modern Chinese Feng Shui and its Roots in Rational Neo-Confucianism during the Song Dynasty], (in) Feng Shui Journal 3 (2003) 16-23.
- Hüter der Zeit – Teil 2: Aufbau und Inhalt des chinesischen Volks- und Jahreskalendes Tongshu. [Guardian of Time – Part 2: Construction and Content of the Chinese popular Calendar of the Year Tong Shu], (in) Feng Shui Journal 2 (2002) 20-23.
- Hüter der Zeit – Teil 1: Der Aufbau des Kalenders der zehntausend Jahre. [Guardian of Time – Part 1: Construction of the Chinese 10,000-Years-Calendar Wannianli], (in) Feng Shui Journal 1 (2002) 16-21.
- Was ist Bazi Suanming – Das operative Bewusstsein, Grundlage chinesischer Tiefenpsychologie. [What is Bazi Suanming – The Operative Consciousness as the Fundament of Chinese Psychological Thinking], (in) Feng Shui Spezial 9 (2001) 18-19.
- Lingzhi und Lingdan: Eine gefeierte Arzneisubstanz in der Volksrepublik China. In: Erfahrungsheilkunde (vereinigt mit dem Hufelandjournal), [Lingzhi and Lingdan (gyrophora lucidum): A Celebrated Herb in the People's Republic of China, Heidelberg 6 (1996) 374-383.
Current projects
- Translation and annotation of the Ditiansui Chanwei 滴天é«é¡ 'Finest explanations of the leaking essence of Heaven' by Ren Tieqiao ä»»éµæ¨µ (fl. 1800) (to be completed in 2011)
- A practical lecture book on the Chinese art of strategy Qimen Dunjia å¥ééç² 'The Mystic Gates and the Hidden Yang-wood'
- Together with Prof. Dr. Michael Lackner, a translation and annotation of selected biographies drawn from the Ming Pu å½æ® 'Dossiers about Fate', written by Yuan Shushan (1881-1952?)