Transcriptions | |
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Standard Mandarin | |
Hanyu Pinyin | Zǎi Yǔ |
Wade–Giles | Tsai Yü |
Southern Min | |
Hokkien POJ | CháiⁿÚ |
Other names | |||||||||||||
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Ziwo (Courtesy name) | |||||||||||||
Chinese | 子 我 | ||||||||||||
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Zai Wo | |||||||||||||
Chinese | 宰 我 | ||||||||||||
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Zai Yu (522–458 BC), [1] also known by his courtesy name Ziwo and as Zai Wo,was a prominent disciple of Confucius,known for his gift in speech. However,Confucius severely criticized him for proposing to shorten the three-year mourning period after the death of a parent. [2]
Zai Yu was a native of State of Lu. [3] [4] He was considered as the most eloquent speaker among Confucius' disciples. [3] However,the only references of him in the Analects were Confucius' criticism of him. [1] In an important discussion of mourning,Zai Yu questioned the necessity for the three-year mourning period after the death of a parent,and suggested a maximum of one year of mourning. Confucius severely criticized Zai Yu,describing him as inhuman. Confucius argued that children seldom leave their parents' arms in their first three years of life and asked rhetorically,did Zai Yu not receive these three years of tender care from his parents? [1] Confucius also criticized him for sleeping during the day, [3] comparing him to rotten wood that cannot be carved (朽木不可雕也). [5] [6] Despite the criticism,he remained one of the Master's close disciples. [1]
According to Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian ,Zai Yu served as a minister in Linzi,the capital of Qi,and was killed when he was involved in the rebellion of Chen Heng (陳恆) and his clan was exterminated. Sima Qian further says that Confucius was ashamed of Zai Yu's death. [6] However,this account has been questioned by scholars since ancient times,as the Zuozhuan only mentions that Kan Zhi (阚止) was killed in Chen Heng's rebellion. As Kan Zhi was also known by his courtesy name Ziwo,which was identical to that of Zai Yu,Sima Qian may have conflated the two people's stories. [6]
In Confucian temples,Zai Yu's spirit tablet is placed the second among the Twelve Wise Ones,on the west. [4]
During the Tang dynasty,Emperor Xuanzong posthumously awarded Zai Yu the nobility title of Marquess of Qi (齊侯). Song dynasty emperors further awarded him the titles of Duke of Linzi (臨菑公) and Duke of Qi (齊公). [7]
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.
Zeng Shen,better known as Zengzi,courtesy name Ziyu,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 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.
Duke Jian of Qi was from 484 to 481 BC ruler of the State of Qi,a major power during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His personal name was LüRen (呂壬),ancestral name Jiang,and Duke Jian was his posthumous title.
Duke Ping of Qi was from 480 to 456 BC the titular ruler of the State of Qi,a major power during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His personal name was LüAo (呂驁),ancestral name Jiang,and Duke Ping was his posthumous title.
The Twelve Philosophers or Wise Ones are 12 eminent philosophers in the Chinese Confucian tradition. They are traditionally accounted a kind of sainthood and their spirit tablets are prominently placed in Confucian temples,six upon the east and six upon the west side of the Hall of the Great Completion.
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 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.
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.
Tantai Mieming or Dantai Mieming,also known by his courtesy name Ziyu,was a major disciple of Confucius. He was known for being very ugly,but was morally upright. He started his own school in the Yangtze River region,and became a major transmitter of Confucian thoughts. Confucius initially misjudged him because of his bad looks,but later expressed his regret.
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.
Gongxi Ai,courtesy name Jici,was a disciple of Confucius. Sima Zhen's Shiji Suoyin says his name was Gongxi Ke,citing the Kongzi Jiayu.
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.
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.