The wise man whose truths still guide conscience
In 1331, construction began on the wall and gate for the forested cemetery. By the late 18th century, the perimeter wall reached a length of 7.5 kilometers, surrounding the tombs of more than 100,000 descendants of the great sage.
Space there now comes at a premium. The mausoleum has ceased the practice of erecting large stone grave markers, but the earthen mounds of each grave are retained. More recent descendants have been cremated.
How does one qualify to be buried among Confucius and his descendants? There are strict rules. Descendants who committed a crime, died before the age of 18 or became a monk of any religion are barred. Also excluded are barren daughters-in-law or any female descendant whose husband’s surname was not Kong.
People who are not descendants but wish to be buried at the site must show five generations devoting their lives to the care of the mausoleum of Confucius before they can have their surnames changed to Kong and are entitled to interment.
To this day, grave robbers remain a threat as thieves scour to find gold, jewelry and other items buried along with the dead.
Confucius is not the only magnet to draw many people to this area of Shandong. To the north of Qufu lies the city of Tai’an, sitting in the shadow of historic Taishan, or Mt Tai. This holy place, the source of inspiration to centuries of scholars and poets, is depicted on the back of 5-yuan banknotes.
The mountain, one of the “five sacred mountains of China,” is famous as a viewing point for sunrises. Its highest summit is Jade Emperor Peak at 1,533 meters. Visitors can climb 7,200 stone steps to the top of East Peak, where there is a temple complex. Taishan Mountain was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Located at the base of the mountain is the Dai Temple, built in honor of the god of Mt Tai. It is one of the three oldest buildings in China and contain features of the imperial palace.
The temple was constructed over 2,000 years ago and houses a famous 60-meter-long painted mural that depicts the journey of the Northern Song Dynasty Emperor Song Renzong and his entourage of 700 to pay homage and sacrifices to the mountain god.