Conversations with Confucius (551–479 BCE)

28 August 2013. I travelled from Beijing to the Temple of Confucius (Kongmiao) in the historic town of Qufu, Shandong Province. Celebrated for being the hometown of Confucius, the town exudes a quiet charm, which contrasts sharply with the cacophonous hustle and bustle of Beijing. Seeking inspiration for my research on Confucian political thought, I quickly made my way to the Confucius Temple, which is known as China’s largest and oldest. The vast temple complex, together with the Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Walking through the well-kept courtyards, I could not help but wonder if this was the same path trodden by those who had sought to desecrate the memory of Confucius here in 1966.1