The Gate of Revering the Sage

　　The southern main gate of Qufu City, located in front of the Temple of Confucius, hence named the Gate of Revering the Sage. It was first built during the Ming Dynasty. The gate bears the inscription “Ten Thousand Ren High Palace Walls,” originally written by Hu Zongzong in the Ming Dynasty. These words were based on a remark by Zigong praising Confucius. In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong, to show his reverence for Confucius, replaced Hu’s stele with one bearing his own calligraphy of the same four characters.

　　Confucius (551 BC~479 BC)　　 Confucius (551–479 BC), also known as Kong Qiu, courtesy name Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong Province) in the State of Lu during the late Spring and Autumn Period. He was a philosopher, educator, and statesman, and the founder of Confucianism. He is one of the most influential figures in Chinese history and culture, and has also had a profound impact worldwide, especially in Southeast Asian countries. He is recognized as one of the world’s cultural luminaries. Confucius’ ancestors included Weizi Qi, the half-brother of King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty. Weizi Qi upheld the Shang rituals and was enfeoffed in the State of Song. His sixth-generation descendant, Kong Fu Jia, was the first to adopt the surname Kong. His fifth-generation ancestor, Kong Jiafu, fled to the State of Lu to escape turmoil and later settled in Zouyi. His father, Shuliang He, was a renowned warrior in Lu, known for his bravery and strength among the feudal lords. In his later years... Details+

　　Zigong (520 BC~456 BC)　　Duanmu Ci, courtesy name Zigong (520–456 BC), was one of the Seventy-Two Disciples of Confucius and one of his most outstanding students. He was ranked among the top in the category of eloquence. Confucius once praised him as a “vessel fit for holding precious treasures.” Zigong was known for his eloquence, skill in debate, and talent in management and administration. He served as prime minister in both the States of Lu and Wei. He was also adept at business, engaging in trade between the States of Cao and Lu, and amassed a fortune worth a thousand pieces of gold, making him the wealthiest among Confucius’ disciples. Legend has it that when Confucius was critically ill, Zigong, who failed to return in time, felt deeply remorseful. While others left after guarding the tomb for three years, Zigong stayed for an additional three years, guarding the grave for a total of six years. 　Sima Qian, in his “Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Confucius’ Disciples,” wrote about Zigong... Details+