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Disciple of Confucius (born 522 BC)
"Zhonggong" redirects here. For the Chinese Communist Party, occasionally referred to as zhonggong (Chinese: 中共), see Chinese Communist Party. For the spiritual movement founded in 1987, see Zhong Gong.
As depicted 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
Ran Yong (Chinese:冉雍; Wade–Giles:Jan Yung; born 522 BC), also known by his courtesy nameZhonggong (Chinese:仲弓; Wade–Giles:Chung-kung), 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.[1] After completing school, he served as chief officer of Jisun, the noble clan that dominated the politics of Lu.[1]
Ran Yong was a native of the State of Lu. He was 29 years younger than Confucius, and was from the same clan as Ran Geng and Ran Qiu, two other prominent disciples of Confucius. He was of the same age as Ran Qiu.[2] He was known for his moral integrity, despite being born to a father of lowly status, and Confucius declared that his background would not detract from his excellence.[2][3] He was said to be not an eloquent speaker.[4]
The Analects, also known as the Analects of Confucius, the Sayings of Confucius, or the Lun Yu, is an ancient Chinese book composed of a large collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his contemporaries, traditionally believed to have been compiled and written by Confucius's followers. It is believed to have been written during the Warring States period, and it achieved its final form during the mid-Han dynasty. By the early Han dynasty the Analects was considered merely a "commentary" on the Five Classics, but the status of the Analects grew to be one of the central texts of Confucianism by the end of that dynasty.
According to Sima Qian, Confucius said: "The disciples who received my instructions, and could themselves comprehend them, were seventy-seven individuals. They were all scholars of extraordinary ability." It was traditionally believed that Confucius had three thousand students, but that only 72 mastered what he taught. The following is a list of students who have been identified as Confucius's followers. Very little is known of most of Confucius's students, but some of them are mentioned in the Analects of Confucius. Many of their biographies are recorded in the Sima Qian's Shiji. The Six Arts were practiced by the 72 disciples.
Yan Hui was a Chinese philosopher. He 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.
Min Sun, also known by his courtesy name Ziqian, was one of the most prominent disciples of Confucius. Confucius considered Min his second best disciple after Yan Hui, and commended him for his filial piety. His legend is included in the Confucian text The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars.
Ran Geng, 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.
Ran Qiu, also known by his courtesy name Ziyou and as Ran You, was a leading disciple of Confucius. Among Confucius's disciples, he was the foremost in terms of ability and accomplishment in statesmanship. As a military commander of the State of Lu, he repelled an invasion from the neighbouring State of Qi. His influence in Lu facilitated the return of Confucius to his native state after fourteen years of exile.
Zhong You, commonly known by his courtesy names Zilu and Jilu, was one of the best known and most faithful disciples of Confucius. Among Confucius's disciples, he was the second in terms of ability and accomplishment in statesmanship, after Ran Qiu. He was noted for his valour and sense of justice, but Confucius often warned him against acting without forethought. He was killed in the State of Wey in defence of his lord Kong Kui.
Duanmu Ci, also known by his courtesy name Zigong, was a Chinese businessman, philosopher, and politician. He was one of the most important and loyal disciples of Confucius. Among Confucius' students, he was the second best at speech, after only Zai Yu. He was a prominent diplomat of the Spring and Autumn period who served as a high official in several states, and was a very wealthy businessman.
Bu Shang, commonly known by his courtesy name Zixia or as Buzi, was an ancient Chinese philosopher and a prominent disciple of Confucius who was considered one of the most accomplished in cultural learning. He was one of the five disciples who took chief responsibility for the transmission of Confucius' teachings. He played a significant role in the transmission of such classics as the Book of Poetry and the I Ching. He established his own school, and taught Marquess Wen of Wei, ruler of Wei, the most powerful state of the early Warring States period.
Yan Yan, also known by his courtesy name Ziyou and as Yan You or Yanzi, was a prominent disciple of Confucius, considered by Confucius to be his most distinguished disciple in the study of the classics. A native of the state of Wu, he was the only known southerner among Confucius' disciples.
Zhuansun Shi, commonly known by his courtesy name Zizhang, was a prominent disciple of Confucius, who accompanied Confucius in his travels abroad, and later started his own sect of Confucianism.
Nangong Kuo, commonly known as Nan Rong and also known by his courtesy name Zirong and as Nangong Tao, was a major disciple of Confucius. Commending Nangong Kuo as a gentleman of virtue, Confucius gave the student his niece in marriage.
Fu Buqi, also pronounced Mi Buqi, was a major disciple of Confucius. He was also known by his courtesy name Zijian. He was known as a capable governor and was also a writer.
Gongye Chang, courtesy name Zichang, was a major disciple and the son-in-law of Confucius. Little is known about his life, but Chinese legends attribute to him the ability to understand birds' language.
Zeng Dian, courtesy name Zixi, also known as Zeng Xi, was one of the earliest disciples of Confucius. He is known for a passage in the Analects in which he expressed his ambition as no more than being content with daily life. He was the father of Zeng Shen, or Master Zeng, one of the most prominent disciples of Confucius.
Yan Wuyou, courtesy name Lu (路), also known as Yan Lu, was a Chinese philosopher. He was one of the earliest disciples of Confucius. He was the father of Yan Hui, Confucius' favourite disciple.
Shang Qu, courtesy name Zimu, was a disciple of Confucius. He studied the I Ching from Confucius, and is credited with the preservation and transmission of the classic.
Gao Chai, courtesy name Zigao, was one of the major disciples of Confucius. Confucius considered him unintelligent because he was very short and ugly, but he served capably in the governments of the states of Lu and Wey.
Qidiao Kai, courtesy name Zikai or Ziruo, was a major disciple of Confucius. He declined to take government office, but started his own school, which developed into one of the eight branches of Confucianism identified by Han Fei. His work, known as the Qidiaozi, has been lost.
Gongbo Liao, courtesy name Zizhou, was a disciple of Confucius. He was born in the State of Lu, Confucius' native state. His years of birth and death are unknown.
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