The Story of Confucius
Confucius is one of the greatest men in the history of world. More than two thousand five hundred years ago (551~479 B. C.), he was born in the State of Lu (now the Province of Shantung). A descendent of a great noblemen of the State of Sung he lost his father at the age of three and was reared by his mother in a state of impoverished simplicity. As he grew up, he was put in charge of the granary and the cattle and sheep of a certain Baron.

Never tired of learning and teaching throughout his life, Confucius has long been recognized in China as "the Greatest Sage and Foremost Teacher with Outstanding Achievements." He believed that in teaching, there should be no class distinctions and hence he had up to three thousand disciples. From the Analects, we can see that he tried to help his disciples solve problems arising out of daily life and human relationships. Though common-place and practical, easily understood and easily carried out, his teachings contributed to the cultivation of the individual, the regulation of the family, the order of the state and the peace of the world.

Confucius was born in a most critical period known as the period of the Spring and Autumn Annals, when the imperial dynasty of Chou was in decline, the rituals and music began to degenerate, and the country was in a state of moral chaos from the feudal princes down to the people. He attempted to revive the culture of the Chou House in its heyday. Once he was made the Chief Minister of his native State of Lu, and in three months he was able to put the country in order, but unfortunately he was forced to quit. For fourteen years he wandered. Dedicated himself to education, insatiable of learning and never tired of teaching, he held that no one could not be taught. Students from all quarters of the empire came to the State of Lu to learn from him. It is said that he had three thousand disciples, of whom 72 mastered six arts, rite, music, archery, charioteer, writing and arithmetic. Throughout his life, Confucius advocated filial piety brotherly love, loyalty and faithfulness as cardinal principles in the conduct of life. His political ideal consisted of love of people, economy in the use of material resources, observation of rites and music and a world where harmony and equality prevail.

When he was fifty-one years old, he joined the government services. Later, He became the prime minister of the State of Lu. Within three months, the Lu was well-governed. Seriously frightened, the Duke of the Ch'I chose dancing beauties as a gift to the Duke of the State of Lu. Indulge himself in wine and women, the latter neglected the state affairs. Seeing that nothing could be done under the circumstance, Confucius resigned, left Lu. Began his itinerary for fourteen years during which he could not find any chance to realize his ambitions. He was painfully conscious that it was difficult for a ruler to find a subordinate and vice versa; and to carry out the Ta Tao, the way to world government. Thus, he made up his mind to return to Lu and engage himself in writing Spring and Autumn Annals, revising the Book of Odes, the Canon of History, the Book of Rites and Music and studying the Book of Changes.

Following his death, his disciples mourned in heart for three years. Over hundred of his disciples built their houses and lived near his tomb. For this reason, the place has since been known as "Kung Li" or the Confucius Village. And the forest which was created at the time of mourning when each of his disciples planted a tree near his tomb has since been called "The Confucius Forest". Confucius's descendants inherited his teachings. Many of them have been famous prime ministers or men of great learning. Kung The-Ch'eng, the 77th lineal descendant of Confucius is now in Taiwan. Confucius had a remarkable personality. He was impartial and selfless, He was a philosopher, an educator as well as a statesman, and is venerated as a great sage and a model teacher.

After the death of Confucius, his disciples and followers were scattered in different states, serving the feudal lords in one way or another and almost invariably preaching their teacher's doctrines. During the period of the Warring States, Mencius went further to elaborate Confucius political and ethical philosophy and laid down the foundation of Confucianism in particular and that of Chinese culture in general. In more than two thousand years from the Western Han Dynasty to the present day, it is the Confucian scholars or followers who have been able to re-establish the new order out of chaos in China, as can be seen throughout Chinese history. To commemorate Confucius, the National Government of the Republic of China has since its establishment officially proclaimed the birthday of Confucius as Teachers' Day. (September the 28th)

Broad yet profound, Confucianism has not only been the cornerstone of Chinese culture for more than two thousand five hundred years but also has had far-reaching effects abroad. It has influenced neighboring countries such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam and others, and it also inspired the eighteenth century French Enlightenment and as a result of modern democratic thought in the West.