Cradle of Confucianism
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Shanghai Daily, October 17, 2011
With the cemetery so vast, it's pleasing to know it is not a terribly long walk to reach the grave of Confucius from the entrance. After walking through a huge stone gateway into the cemetery, you just veer off on a path slightly to the left and follow the signs. First you come to the burial site for his grandson, then his son and then the Great Sage himself. The triangular configuration of the sites for the three generations is deliberate - considered an auspicious alignment in Chinese philosophy.
The grave for Confucius is surprisingly modest for a man of his stature - although this seems consistent with his many edicts about not overly promoting oneself and instead doing deeds for the common good.
After visiting Confucius for a few minutes, it's an experience to walk off the paved walkways and into the grasslands, woodlands and footpaths of the cemetery, encountering ancient gravestones, some in various states of decay, amid gnarled old trees. You can walk into the Ming Dynasty area of the cemetery, where 600-year-old animal sculptures sit among the many grave sites, providing a whimsical touch to the solemn scene.
As if the temple, cemetery and mansion weren't enough, UNESCO's World Heritage Convention is preparing to add more Confucian sites surrounding Qufu to its official list, according to its website. "There are heritages which are closely related to Confucius - which are kept in good condition and also have very high protection value," the site says. It cites the Confucius Temple and Academy in Hill Ni, Yan Temple, San Meng and Zenius Temple for likely inclusion.
"They constitute an organic whole of historical heritage representing the hometown of Confucius and the influence of Confucianism," it says.
Confucius, it would seem, is well-served going into the future, and Qufu seems destined to launch into one of China's major tourist sites as a cradle of Chinese history and culture.
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