| Ran Geng | |||||||||
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 Ran Geng in Half-Portraits of the Great Sage and Virtuous Men of Old (至聖先賢半身像), housed in the National Palace Museum | |||||||||
| Chinese | 冉 耕 | ||||||||
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| Other names | |||||||||
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| Boniu (Courtesy name) | |||||||||
| Chinese | 伯 牛 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | Uncle Ox | ||||||||
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Ran Geng (born 544 BC), also known by his courtesy name Boniu, was one of the most prominent disciples of Confucius. Confucius considered him his third best disciple, after Yan Hui and Min Sun, in terms of moral conduct. [1]
Ran Geng was a native of the State of Lu, and was only seven years younger than Confucius. He was from the same clan as Ran Yong and Ran Qiu, two other prominent disciples of Confucius. [2] When Confucius served as the Minister of Justice of Lu, Ran became the magistrate of Zhongdu. [1] He contracted a vile disease, possibly leprosy, [3] and died young. Confucius lamented his early death with great pain. [1]
In Confucian temples, Ran Geng's spirit tablet is placed the fourth among the Twelve Wise Ones, on the west. [2]
Ran Geng's offspring held the title of Wujing Boshi (五经博士; 五經博士; Wǔjīng Bóshì). [4]
Zeng Shen, better known as Zengzi, courtesy name Ziyu (子輿), was a Chinese philosopher and disciple of Confucius. He later taught Zisi, the grandson of Confucius, who was in turn the teacher of Mencius, thus beginning a line of transmitters of orthodox Confucian traditions. He is revered as one of the Four Sages of Confucianism.
Yan Hui was the favorite disciple of Confucius and one of the most revered figures of Confucianism. He is venerated in Confucian temples as one of the Four Sages.
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Ran Yong, also known by his courtesy name Zhonggong, was one of the prominent disciples of Confucius. Confucius thought highly of his excellent moral conduct, and considered him fit to be the ruler of a state. After completing school, he served as chief officer of Jisun, the noble clan that dominated the politics of Lu.
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