I. Introduction
Confucianism has been at the heart of Chinese culture since the founding of Confucius, and has been deeply rooted in Chinese society through many dynasties. Especially in the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty adopted Dong Zhongshu's advice and promoted Confucianism, making it the dominant ideology of the state. Since then, Confucianism has profoundly influenced many aspects of China's politics, society, family, and education.
The teachings of Confucius not only shaped the moral concept and cultural spirit of the Chinese, but also had an important influence on neighboring countries such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, etc. In recent years, Confucianism has also begun to attract the attention of the Western world, and many Western scholars are exploring the potential solutions of Confucianism to the problems of modern society.
2. Confucianism in Japan
Introduction: The introduction of Confucianism to Japan dates back to the 3rd century, during the Wei and Jin dynasties in China. According to historical records, the scholar Wang Ren of Baekje (Korean Peninsula) introduced the Analects and the Senzibun to Japan in 285, the 16th year of Emperor Ojin, which is regarded as the starting point for the spread of Confucianism in Japan. At first, Confucianism was prevalent mainly among the elite, the court, and the aristocracy.
Development stage: With the passage of time, from the Nara period to the Heian period, Confucianism developed more deeply in Japan. During this period, Japanese society underwent changes and progress, and Confucianism began to merge with local culture, forming a Confucian system with Japanese characteristics. The influence of Confucianism also expanded from morality and ethics to a wider range of fields such as politics, economics, and law.
Confucius Temple in Japan
Heyday: The Edo period marked the heyday of Confucianism in Japan. Social stability and economic prosperity provided fertile soil for the in-depth study and popularization of Confucianism. Confucian scholars conducted in-depth discussions on Confucianism, which promoted the further development of Confucianism in Japan and had a profound impact on moral concepts, political systems, and education systems.
Japan Confucius Statue
Changes in Confucianism: During the Meiji Restoration, Japan began to fully absorb Western culture and implement modernization reforms. Confucianism was gradually marginalized in the process, and the Meiji government adopted a national policy of "unity of the kingdom of God" in order to strengthen the centralization of power, and Confucianism was rejected as a remnant of feudalism. The impact of Western culture and the acceleration of modernization also led to the weakening of the influence of Confucianism.
Contemporary Confucianism: Although Confucianism is no longer as influential in Japan as it was in the Edo period, it still has a place in society. The morals and values of Confucianism are still recognized and respected in Japanese society. Some scholars and researchers are working to excavate and pass on Confucian culture and promote its sustainable development in Japan. Confucianism also maintains a certain place in the field of education, and many educational institutions make it part of their teaching content.
Japanese hole festival event
Japan has a long history of worshipping Confucius, and since 701 AD, Confucius has been worshiped in the university, the country's highest university, and this tradition disappeared after the war, but has re-emerged and flourished in the modern era.
Japanese hole festival event
In Japan, there are strict rituals and procedures for Confucius worship, which reflects respect and reverence for Confucius.
Number of Confucian temples in Japan: There are currently 14 well-preserved Confucian temples in Japan.
3. Confucianism in Korea
Statue of Confucius
Introduction: The history of the introduction of Confucianism to Korea can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty, when Emperor Liu Che of the Han Dynasty designated Confucianism as a national study and vigorously promoted it, and Confucianism spread eastward to the Korean Peninsula.
By the time of the Three Kingdoms, when Baekje, Silla, and Goryeo coexisted, Confucian culture began to be introduced and gradually adopted. Korean scholars began to come into contact with and study the Confucian classics, and Confucianism began to take root in Korean culture and society.
The Temple of Confucius in Korea
Development stage: With the in-depth spread of Confucianism, South Korea has gradually developed its own Confucian system. During the Goryeo period, Confucian culture developed significantly, and Goguryeo established Taehak to teach Confucian classics.
Dacheng Hall is also a Confucian temple
Baekje, Silla during the Three Kingdoms period, and later Unified Silla attached great importance to Confucianism and often sent students to China to study Confucian classics. By the end of the Goryeo period, Ju Zi Xue was introduced to Korea and developed significantly here.
Korean Confucius Temple
Flourishing stage: During the Joseon Dynasty, Confucianism reached its peak in Korea, almost becoming the state religion and dominating Korean culture. Confucius's idea of "loyalty to the country, loyalty and filial piety" has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and has become the spiritual pillar of national development and personal life. Korean Confucian scholars have conducted in-depth research on Confucianism and applied it to various fields such as politics, economy, and culture, promoting the all-round development of society.
Korean Confucian Institute
Current Situation of Confucianism: In contemporary Korea, Confucianism has penetrated into the subconscious of the nation and has become part of the national character and spiritual strength. Despite the dramatic changes in the values and lifestyles of modern society, many of the core values in Confucianism are still widely recognized and respected.
For example, Confucian values such as respect for elders, filial piety to parents, and loyalty to the country and the company still occupy an important place in Korean society. In addition, the Korean government is also actively promoting the inheritance and development of Confucian culture, including the establishment of research institutes and educational activities, so as to maintain the tradition and influence of Confucianism.
Korean Hole Worship Event:
The Confucius Festival in Korea, known as the Sekyojeon Festival, is an important traditional Confucian ritual that is held in Sungkyunkwan and rural schools across the country in spring and autumn every year. This event is not only Korea's Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 85, but also an important way for Koreans to commemorate Confucius and Confucian sages.
Korean hole festival event
Korean hole festival event
Korean hole festival event
Number of Confucian temples in South Korea: According to research, there are now 234 Confucian temples in South Korea.
4. The main stages of the development of Confucianism in China
Pre-Qin period: During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius put forward the core concepts of "benevolence", "etiquette" and "golden mean", which laid the foundation of Confucianism. Confucius's teachings not only focused on the cultivation of personal morality, but also covered a wide range of political and social ethics, with a special emphasis on the moral demeanor and political aspirations that a "gentleman" should have as a leader.
Warring States Period: Mencius and Xunzi continue to carry forward the ideas of Confucius, with Mencius emphasizing the ideas of benevolence and goodness, while Xunzi emphasizes the importance of education and etiquette from the perspective of sexual evil. They further deepened and systematized the core values of Confucianism, making Confucianism richer and more complete.
Han and Tang dynasties: Confucianism gained official state recognition during this period and gradually became the dominant ideology in society. Especially during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, through the establishment of positions such as doctors of the Five Classics, Confucian classics were formally incorporated into the national education system and became the main content of training officials and intellectuals, which had a profound impact on China's social structure and cultural traditions.
Zhuxi Statue
Song and Ming Dynasty Confucianism: Confucian thinkers represented by Cheng Hao, Zhu Xi, Lu Jiuyuan, Wang Yangming and others further developed Confucianism's theory of mind, formed a school of Confucianism that focused on introspection and personal cultivation, and promoted Confucianism to a deeper moral and philosophical discussion.
Wang Liming Image
Modern Confucianism: In the face of the impact of Western culture and domestic social changes, Confucian scholars from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China put forward a variety of reform plans in an attempt to adapt Confucianism to the changes of the times, and various schools of thought emerged.
Modern Confucianism: In the 21st century, Confucianism continued to evolve in a new social and political context, forming Neo-Confucianism. Neo-Confucianism strives to combine the Confucian tradition with modern social values, and seeks the modern transformation and innovative development of Confucianism.
Chinese Modern Hole Worship Activities:
Chinese Hole Worship Event
Chinese Hole Worship Event
Chinese Hole Worship Event
The number of existing Confucian temples in the mainland: There are more than 200 well-preserved Confucian temples in the mainland.
The top ten Confucian temples (Confucian Temples) in mainland China are (the following is my collection and arrangement, if there is any error, welcome to propose):
Qufu Confucius Temple: Located in the south gate of Qufu City, Shandong Province, it is the birthplace of Confucius and the first temple to worship Confucius.
Confucius Temple in Qufu
Beijing Confucius Temple: Located at No. 13, Guozijian Street (Chengxian Street), Dongcheng District, Beijing, it was built in the sixth year of Yuan Dade (1302), and was the place where the emperors of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped Confucius.
Confucius Temple in Beijing
Nanjing Confucius Temple: Located in the core area of the Qinhuai Scenic Belt in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, it is the first national highest university in China and one of the four major Confucian temples in China.
Nanjing Husband and Wife
Deyang Confucius Temple: Located at No. 133, Confucian Temple Street, Jingyang District, Deyang City, Sichuan Province, it was built in the Southern Song Dynasty, and the surviving buildings were the pattern of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, known as the "Deyang Confucian Temple Jia Xichuan".
Deyang Confucius Temple
Zhejiang Quzhou Confucius Temple: Located in Xinqiao Street, Fushan Street, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province, it is one of the only two Confucian family temples in the country, known as Nanzong.
Confucius Temple in Quzhou, Zhejiang
Yunnan Jianshui Temple: Located in Jianzhong Road, Lin'an Town, Jianshui County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, it was founded in 1285 and has a history of more than 700 years.
Yunnan built a water temple
Quanzhou Confucian Temple: Located at No. 23, Fuwenmiao Street, Licheng District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, it was built at the end of the Tang Dynasty and has a long history and a grand scale.
Quanzhou Mansion Confucian Temple
Liuzhou Confucian Temple: Located at No. 220, Liudong Road, Liujiang District, Liuzhou City, Guangxi, it is an important cultural landmark building in the city, which was built in the Tang Zhenguan period.
Liuzhou Confucian Temple
Chengdu Confucian Temple: Located at No. 88 Wenweng Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, it is a temple to commemorate Confucius, a great philosopher and educator in Chinese history.
Tainan Confucius Temple: Located on Dacheng Road, Tainan City, Taiwan Province, China, it is the earliest Confucian Temple in Taiwan, and it is also the oldest and most complete cultural and educational center in Taiwan.
Tainan Confucius Temple
The Confucian Temple Catastrophe: The Cultural Pain of the Cultural Revolution
Qufu Confucius Temple, after more than 2,000 years of ups and downs, carries a rich Chinese cultural connotation and historical memory. However, in the midst of a decade of turmoil, this cultural mecca has suffered an unprecedented catastrophe. At the hands of the fanatical Red Guards, the Temple of Confucius and its precious relics suffered devastating damage, and the loss was so great that it was heartbreaking.
According to Baidu Encyclopedia, from November 9 to December 7, 1966, Tan Houlan, the head of the Red Guard Organization of Beijing Normal University, led more than 200 Red Guards to Qufu, Shandong Province under the instruction of Qi Benyu. In collusion with the local rebels, they set up the "Revolutionary Rebellion Liaison Station for the Complete Destruction of Confucius" and launched a frenzied sabotage operation against the Confucian Temple and its cultural relics. They destroyed the Temple of Confucius, smashed stone monuments, dug graves, burned ancient books, and destroyed a total of 6,618 cultural relics. This catastrophe caused unprecedented losses to the precious cultural relics of the Confucian Temple, which had been handed down for thousands of years.
Confucian temples in many places have also been damaged to varying degrees.
Nowadays, with the progress of the times and people's re-understanding of culture, the Confucian Temple and its cultural relics have been more comprehensively protected and inherited. However, that dark history is still worth remembering and reflecting, reminding us to always maintain a sense of reverence for culture and jointly protect our cultural roots.
Transcending borders and giving new life
With the changes of the times, Confucian culture has shown its unique charm and value in the wave of globalization. In order to protect and pass on this precious spiritual wealth, we have implemented a series of carefully planned protection measures for the Confucian Temple and related cultural relics to ensure that they are properly preserved and passed on.
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