Yan Hui (Ziyuan) in Qufu Yan Hui (顏回) was a native of the
Lu. His
courtesy name was Ziyuan (子淵). He was Confucius's favorite student, and was younger than Confucius by 30 years. He became Confucius's disciple when he was very young. "After I got Hui," Confucius once said, "the disciples came closer to me." Confucius once traveled to Nang Hill with three of his favourite students, Hui, Zilu, and Zigong, and asked them each to tell him their different aims, after which he would choose between them. After Zilu's answer, Confucius said, "It marks your bravery." After Zigong's answer, Confucius said, "It shows your discriminating eloquence." Yan Hui spoke last, saying "I should like to find an intelligent king and sage ruler whom I might assist. I would diffuse among the people instructions on the five great points, and lead them on by the rules of propriety and music, so that they should not care to fortify their cities by walls and moats, but would fuse their swords and spears into implements of agriculture. They should send forth their flocks without fear into the plains and forests. There should be no sunderings of families, no widows or widowers. For a thousand years there would be no calamity of war. Yu would have no opportunity to display his bravery, or Ts'ze to display his oratory." After hearing Yan Hui's answer, Confucius said, "How admirable is this virtue!" Yan Hui was very introverted. When Hui was 29, his hair turned completely white, and at age 32 he died. The
first emperor of the Han dynasty sacrificed to both him and Confucius. In the Confucian sacrificial Canon his title, "Continuator of the Sage", was conferred in the ninth year of the
Jiajing era of the
Ming dynasty, in 1530 AD, when almost all of the present sacrificial titles of the worthies in the
Temple of Confucius were fixed. Hui's place is on the east of the sage. He is considered the first of the Four Assessors, the most senior disciple of Confucius.
Min Sun (Ziqian) , with two ancient-looking
bixi turtles Min Sun (閔損) was one of Confucius's students from the State of Lu. His courtesy name was Ziqian (子騫). According to Sima Qian he was 15 years younger than Confucius, but other sources state that he was 50 years younger. When he first came to Confucius he had a starved look, but after studying with Confucius he gained a look of fullness and satisfaction. When Zigong once asked Min Sun how this change had come about, he replied, "I came from the midst of my reeds and sedges into the school of the Master. He trained my mind to
filial piety, and set before me the examples of the ancient kings. I felt a pleasure in his instructions; but when I went abroad, and saw the people in authority, with their umbrellas and banners, and all the pomp and circumstance of their trains, I also felt pleasure in that show. These two things assaulted each other in my breast. I could not determine which to prefer, and so I wore that look of distress. But now the lessons of our Master have penetrated deeply into my mind. My progress also has been helped by the example of you my fellow disciples. I now know what I should follow and what I should avoid, and all the pomp of power is no more to me than the dust of the ground. It is on this account that I have that look of fullness and satisfaction." Min Sun was one of Confucius's most favourite students. He was distinguished for his moral purity and his love for his parents. His place in the Temple of Confucius is on the first place on the east, among "The Wise Ones", immediately following the Four Assessors. He was first sacrificed to, along with Confucius, in 720 AD, by the sixth emperor of the
Tang dynasty. His title, the same as that of all but the four assessors, is "The Ancient Worthy, the Philosopher Min." The eleventh chapter of the
Analects was traditionally attributed to his disciples. Min Sun is most well known for his love and respect for his parents. His mother died when he was young; and, after his father remarried, he was raised by his stepmother. Under her care, he was abused and mistreated. His stepmother, during winter, would line her own sons' clothes with warm cotton, while she would line his clothes with weeds. One day, while taking his father out in a carriage, he almost succumbed to the cold. When his father learned what had happened, he went back to throw his wife out of the house. However, Min Sun said, "If mother leaves, there will be three of your sons who go cold, but if she stays, then only one will suffer." His stepmother was touched by his kindness and never mistreated him again.
Ran Geng (Boniu) Ran Geng (冉耕) was a native of Lu, and Confucius's junior by only seven years. His courtesy name was Boniu (伯牛). When Confucius became Lu's Minister of Crime, he appointed Boniu to the office from which he had just been promoted, Commandant of Zhongdu. His tablet is now fourth among "The Wise Ones", on the west.
Ran Yong (Zhonggong) Ran Yong (冉雍) was of the same clan as Ran Geng, and 29 years younger than Confucius. His courtesy name was Zhonggong (仲弓). He had a bad father, but the Master declared that this was not to be counted against him, to detract from his admitted excellence. His place in the Temple of Confucius is second among "The Wise Ones", to the east. After studying with Confucius Ran Qiu took an official position working for the ministers who had usurped power in Lu, but did not himself have enough power or ability to influence his employers to follow a more ethical course of action (
Analects 3.6). He once disappointed Confucius, and was rebuked for telling him that he loved Confucius's
Way, but that he lacked the strength to pursue it (
Analects 6.12). Later, it was by the influence of Ran Qiu that Confucius was finally able to return to Lu. His place in the Temple of Confucius is third among "The Wise Ones", to the west. He was only nine years younger than Confucius. His courtesy names were Zilu (子路) and Jilu (季路). At their first interview, Confucius asked him what he was fond of, and he replied, "My long sword." Confucius said, "If to your present ability there were added the results of learning, you would be a very superior man." "Of what advantage would learning be to me?" asked Zilu. "There is a bamboo on the southern hill, which is straight itself without being bent. If you cut it down and use it, you can send it through a rhinoceros's hide: what is the use of learning?" "Yes", said Confucius; "but if you feather it and point it with steel, will it not penetrate more deeply?" Zilu bowed twice, and said, "I will reverently receive your instructions." Confucius later said, "From the time that I got You, bad words no more came to my ears." Confucius admired Zilu for his courage, but was concerned that he might lack other virtues (such as good judgement) that would have balanced this courage, potentially turning Zilu's courage into a vice (
Analects 5.7; see also 8.2, 17.8, and 17.23). After studying with him, Confucius later praised Zilu as his having exceptional administrative ability and being capable of handling duties of national importance (
Analects 5.7). After completing his studies with Confucius, Zilu became chief magistrate of the district of
Pu, where his administration commanded the warm commendations of Confucius. His violent death in
Wei is accounted in the
Zuo zhuan (480 BCE). Zilu's tablet is now the fourth, to the east, from those of the Assessors. Zai Yu is not portrayed well in the Analects. He took service in
Qi, and was the chief magistrate governing the Qi capital of
Linzi. While employed in Qi he joined with Tian Chang in a rebellion. After this rebellion was suppressed, his actions led to the destruction of his extended family and made Confucius ashamed of him. His place in the Temple of Confucius is second among "The Wise Ones", to the west. According to
Zhu Xi, Zigong was a merchant who later became wealthy through his own efforts, and developed a sense of moral self-composure through the course of his work. (His past profession as a merchant is elaborated in
Analects 11.18). When he first came to Confucius he quickly demonstrated an ability to grasp Confucius's basic points, and refined himself further through Confucius's education. After studying with Confucius, Zigong became Commandant of
Xinyang, and Confucius gave him this advice: "In dealing with your subordinates, there is nothing like impartiality; and when wealth comes in your way, there is nothing like moderation. Hold fast these two things, and do not swerve from them. To conceal men's excellence is to obscure the worthy; and to proclaim people's wickedness is the part of a mean man. To speak evil of those whom you have not sought the opportunity to instruct is not the way of friendship and harmony." After leaving Confucius, Zigong served in high offices in both in Lu and Wei, and finally died in Qi. Following Confucius's death, many of the disciples built huts near their Master's grave, and mourned for him three years, but Zigong remained there, mourning alone for three years more. His place in the Temple of Confucius is third among "The Wise Ones", to the east of the Assessors.
Bu Shang (Zixia) It is not certain what state Bu Shang (卜商) was a native of, but he was said to have been born either in Wei or
Wen. His courtesy name was Zixia (子夏). He was 45 years younger than Confucius and lived to a great age, for in 406 BC (73 years after Confucius's death) he was recorded serving at the court of Prince Wan of Wei, to whom he gave copies of some of the classics. He is represented as an extensively well-read and exacting scholar but one without great comprehension of mind. The
Maojing is said to contain his philosophical views.
Gongyang Gao and
Guliang Chi studied the
Spring and Autumn Annals with him. When Zixia died, his son wept so greatly it is said that he became blind. In the Temple of Confucius, he is placed in the fifth east position, among "The Wise Ones".
Zhuansun Shi (Zizhang) Zhuansun Shi (顓孫師) was a native of
Chen, and was 48 years younger than Confucius. His courtesy name was Zizhang (子張). Zigong said of him: "Not to boast of his admirable merit; not to signify joy on account of noble station; neither insolent nor indolent; showing no pride to the dependent: these are the characteristics of Zhuansun Shi." When he was sick and close to death, he called his son Shanxiang to him, and said, "We speak of his end in the case of a superior man, and of his death in the case of a mean man. May I think that it is going to be the former with me to-day"? In the Temple of Confucius, he is placed in the fifth west position, among "The Wise Ones".
Tantai Mieming (Ziyu) Tantai Mieming (澹臺滅明) as a native of Wu-chang. His courtesy name was Ziyu (子羽). Sima Qian said that Ziyu was 39 years younger than Confucius, but other records state that he was 49 years younger. He was excessively ugly, and Confucius thought poorly of his talents following consequence his first meeting with him. After completing his studies, he travelled to the south, as far as the
Yangtze River. Traces of his presence in that part of the country are still pointed out in the department of
Suzhou. He attracted three hundred students, to whom he laid down rules for their guidance in their intercourse with princes. When Confucius heard of his success, he confessed how he had been led by his bad looks to misjudge him. He, with nearly all the disciples whose names follow, first had a place assigned to him in the sacrifices to Confucius in 739 AD. in the Temple of Confucius his tablet is placed on the second, east, in the outer court, beyond that of the "Assessors" and "Wise Ones".
Fu Buqi (Zijian) Fu Buqi (宓不齊) was a native of Lu; and, according to different accounts, 30, 40 or 49 years younger than Confucius. His courtesy name was Zijian (子賤). After studying under Confucius he became the Commandant of Danfu, where he succeeded in his position easily. Wuma Qi, having served in the same office, and succeeding only by virtue of great industry and toil, asked Zijian for advice. Zijian answered, "I employ men; you employ men's strength." People later pronounced Fu to be a
superior man. The fourteenth chapter of the
Analects was traditionally attributed to his disciples. In
Analects 5.1 Confucius says of Gongye Chang: "He is marriageable. Although he was once imprisoned as a criminal, he was in fact innocent of any crime." Confucius then married his daughter to him.
Chinese legends and folklore later attributed to him the ability to talk with birds and other animals. In one story, he overhears a group of birds discussing the location of a murder victim. His knowledge of the body later leads him to be arrested for the person's murder, but he is released after demonstrating his supernatural powers to his jailers. Although the exact nature of his offence is not known outside of this
pseudohistory, Confucius's marriage of his daughter to him despite the strong stigma attached to criminals in the Zhou dynasty demonstrates Confucius's adherence to moral reason and his independence from arbitrary social conventions.
Nangong Kuo (Zirong) Nangong Kuo (南宮括) may have been the same person as Nangong Zhangshu, who accompanied Confucius to the
Zhou king's court. He was also called Nanguo Shi (南宮适)and Nanguo Tao (南宮縚), and his courtesy name was Zirong (子容). Once, while he was serving
Duke Ai of Qin, a fire broke out at the palace. While others attempted to secure the contents of the treasury, Nangong directed his efforts to saving the palace library, and it was because of his efforts that numerous ancient texts (possibly the most important being the
Rites of Zhou) survived. His tablet in the Temple of Confucius is on the east, next to Yuan Xian's.
Qidiao Kai (Zikai) Qidiao Kai (漆雕開), or Shang Zhu (漆雕開), was either a native of
Cai or Lu. His courtesy names were Zikai (子開), Ziruo (子若), and Zixiu (子修/脩). Little is known about him, except that he was a scholar of the
Shujing. Confucius was pleased with him for his modesty and for his realistic assessments of himself and other people (
Analects 5.6).
Gongxi Chi (Zihua) Gongxi Chi (公西赤) was a native of Lu. His courtesy name was Zihua (子華). He was younger than Confucius by 42 years. He was notable for his knowledge of
ritual and propriety, and Confucius's other students deferred to him on the arrangement of Confucius's funeral. Confucius praised him as being competent to entertain guests and visitors at court (
Analects 5.7).
Cao Xu (Zixun) Cao Xu (曹卹) was a native of Cai. His courtesy name was Zixun (子循). He was 50 years younger than Confucius. In the Temple of Confucius his tablet is on the east side, following that of Yan Xing.
Bo Qian (Zixi) Bo Qian (伯虔) was a native of Lu. His courtesy names were Zixi (子皙/析) and Zijie (子楷). He was 50 years younger than Confucius. In the Temple of Confucius Bo Qian's tablet follows that of Cao Xu, on the west.
Gongsun Long (Zishi) Gongsun Long (公孫龍), also called Gonsun Chong (公孫寵), was either a native of Wei, Chu, or
Zhao. His courtesy name was Zishi (子石). He was 53 years younger than Confucius. Once, before he had met Confucius, Zishi met Zigong, who asked him "Have you not learned the Book of Poetry?" Zishi replied, "What leisure have I to do so? My parents require me to be filial; my brothers require me to be submissive; and my friends require me to be sincere. What leisure have I for anything else?" "Come to my Master," said Zigong, "and learn of him." In the temple of Confucius, Gongsun Long's tablet follows that of Zixun. == Less known disciples ==