Temple of Ran Zi

Temple of Ran Zi

The Temple of Ran Zi is a cultural tourism attraction.

Temple of Ran Zi

(I) Historical Background

Ran Zi was once a retainer of Ji Sun, a noble family of the State of Lu. During the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, he was posthumously honored as Marquis Xu. According to the Gazetteer of Caozhou Prefecture: "Thirty-five li east of Yuncheng lies the former residence of the Three Rans. The area features Gold Money Ridge, atop which lie the ruins of an ancient temple, with old trees that look as if they have stood for centuries." In the 25th year of the Wanli reign (1597), a broken stele was discovered locally. In the 3rd year of the Chongzhen reign (1630), Guo Ziguang from Luoyang, a scholar with a passion for antiquities, identified this stele as the "Tomb Stele of Ran Zi, Marquis Xu," erected during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, local gentry restored the tomb and temple of Ran Zi. Later, both the temple and the tomb fell into disrepair again. By the early years after liberation, only three shrine rooms, one tomb mound, and two ancient cypresses remained. The side halls that once flanked the front of the temple have now been destroyed.

In the 5th year of the Wanli reign (1597), a broken stele was discovered locally. In the 3rd year of the Chongzhen reign (1630), Guo Ziguang from Luoyang, a scholar with a passion for antiquities, identified this stele as the "Tomb Stele of Ran Zi, Marquis Xu," erected during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, local gentry restored the tomb and temple of Ran Zi. Later, both the temple and the tomb fell into disrepair again. By the early years after liberation, only three shrine rooms, one tomb mound, and two ancient cypresses remained. The side halls that once flanked the front of the temple have now been destroyed.

The Ran Zi Stele was erected during the Qing Dynasty when the temple was renovated. It stands 1.3 meters tall, 0.56 meters wide, and 0.15 meters thick. The inscription on the stele includes phrases such as: "During the Tang Yuansong era, he was worshipped in the temple court, posthumously honored as marquis; during the Song Zhenzong era, he was further titled Duke of Rencheng; during the Duzong era, he was renamed Duke of Xu; during the Ming Jiajing era, he was called the Venerable Ran Zi, and this title has been retained in our dynasty."

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In 1958, the government allocated funds to repair the temple and tomb, adding perimeter walls, but these were damaged during the Cultural Revolution.

(II) Current Status

The existing Temple of Ran Zi is a three-room, flush-gable style structure facing south, measuring 9 meters in length, 5 meters in width, and 5.5 meters in height. It is built upon a 50-centimeter-high stone platform, with double eaves, gray tiles, and ridge decorations featuring animal patterns.

Approximately two meters behind the rear gate of the Temple of Ran Zi lies Ran Zi’s tomb, which is circular, standing 1 meter high with a circumference of about 10 meters. The Ran Zi Stele is 1.3 meters tall, 0.56 meters wide, and 0.15 meters thick, with vigorous and clearly legible inscriptions.

In front of the temple stand two ancient cypresses, said to be "Tang Dynasty cypresses." The two trees are 5.62 meters apart, standing opposite each other to the east and west. With gnarled trunks and twisted branches, they remain lush and vigorous. The eastern cypress is 4.4 meters from the temple, stands 11.16 meters tall, with a circumference of 3.6 meters, and its canopy covers an area of 94.5 square meters. The western cypress is 3 meters from the temple, stands 10.37 meters tall, with a circumference of 8.51 meters, and its canopy covers an area of 180 square meters. Since 1988, most of the branches of the western cypress have gradually withered. Despite timely rescue efforts, the results have been minimal.

The tree is 3 meters in diameter at breast height, 10.37 meters tall, with a circumference of 8.51 meters, and its canopy covers an area of 180 square meters. Since 1988, most of the branches of the Xibai tree have gradually withered. Despite timely rescue efforts, the results have been minimal.

Ran Qiu, courtesy name Ziguo, was a native of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period, from Jiaxiang. He was a disciple of Confucius and one of the Seventy-Two Wise Men, 29 years younger than Confucius. Ran Qiu excelled in political affairs among Confucius’ disciples and once served as the chief steward of Ji Sun, the noble of Lu. After his death, he was buried in the northeastern corner of Huanggai Village, Huanggai Township. Successive emperors conferred various posthumous honors upon him. During the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, he was titled “Marquis Xu”; during the Zhenzong era of the Song Dynasty, he was further honored as “Duke of Rencheng”; during the Duzong era, he was renamed “Duke of Xu”; during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, he was called the “Venerable Ran Zi.”

Ran Qiu (522 BC–?), courtesy name Ziguo, was a native of the State of Lu, 29 years younger than Confucius. He shared ancestry with Ran Geng and Ran Yong, all being among the Ten Sages of Confucius... More details on Ran Qiu++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units

· First Batch of Municipal Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Jining City