Dacheng Hall of the Baofeng Confucius Temple

Dacheng Hall of the Baofeng Confucius Temple

The Dacheng Hall of the Baofeng Confucius Temple is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Henan Province.

Dacheng Hall of the Baofeng Confucius Temple, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, is listed as part of the fifth batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units. It is located within the campus of the No. 1 County Middle School on East Street in Baofeng County.

The Dacheng Hall of the Confucius Temple was originally built during the Song Dynasty, facing south with its back to the north. It was rebuilt in the 12th year of the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty (1476) and expanded in the 10th year of the Chongzhen reign (1637). The existing Dacheng Hall has five bays and is designed in a hip-and-gable style with overhanging eaves. The roof is covered with green tiles, with wind chimes hanging from the four corners and 38 bracket sets (dougong) beneath the eaves. The hall contains eight main wooden pillars with lotus-shaped stone bases, and sixteen internal wall pillars. The central and side bays are fitted with lattice doors and wooden latticed windows.

The Dacheng Hall is not only an ancient architectural structure but also a significant red revolutionary site. On July 28, 1948, the Central Plains Bureau and the Central Plains Military Region held a meeting for military and political cadres at or above the county/troop level here. Important speeches were delivered by - , Chen Yi, and Deng Zihui, historically known as the “Baofeng Conference.” In September 1948, the Central Plains University relocated to the Confucius Temple. On November 27, the first graduation ceremony for students of the Central Plains University was held there. On December 10, the university moved to Kaifeng, later relocating to Wuhan, and is now known as Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.

Confucius (551–479 BC), whose given name was Qiu and courtesy name Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong Province), Changping, the State of Lu. He was a philosopher, educator, and statesman in the late Spring and Autumn Period, the founder of Confucianism, and one of the most influential figures in Chinese history and culture. His impact extends globally, especially across Southeast Asia, making him one of the world’s cultural icons.

Confucius’s ancestors included Weizi Qi, the half-brother of King Zhou of Shang, who presided over the rites of the Shang and was enfeoffed in the State of Song. His sixth-generation ancestor, Kong Fu Jia, was the first to adopt the surname Kong. His fifth-generation ancestor, Mukin Fu, fled to the State of Lu to escape turmoil and eventually settled in Zou, Lu... More detailed information about Confucius ++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Henan Province