Return to the Nanjing Confucius Temple (Fuzi Miao) - February 26th, 2012

Last Sunday was my second time returning to the Nanjing Confucius Temple (called Fuzi Miao in mandarin). It was the first area visited that day. What I would discover is just how much more secular it was when I came initially. To illustrate show I'll start with the last area that the Temple entrance ticket covers.

In the back of the Temple is a cultural arts building and grounds where craftsmen sell their wares. It is part of the Temple and compliments the musical building that comes before it. In a way it kind of fits one of the themes of what it means to be a Gentlemen in regards to general knowledge. A gentlemen should be good in writing, music and the rituals. So in that way it was connected, though the final building was more about craftsmen proper. This music hall also functioned as a gift shop.

The building before the music hall is a huge contrast between the secular and religious. There are the artifacts and ritual instruments laid out with what purpose they served when the Emperor would come. Such as the ritual drum and bells and around the Temple were stories and Legends about the life of Confucius himself. There was a large tapestry of Confucius with an area for donations and to bow. It was this area that was like any Buddhist or Taoist Temple in China.

The New Years and Lantern Festival are still very much alive here. For the New Years a whole court was created at the entrance of the Temple and around the Temple and the old street were living lanterns of small dragons to celebrate the New Years and red lanterns along every street. In the area at the entrance where there is a statue of Confucius and 8 of his disciples. Last year when it was Confucius's birthday he was wearing a red cape. This year with the New Years an entire lantern court was behind the statues of the disciples and by Confucius was an area of full of names on charms and names on a board who had been a part of the celebration.

 After honoring the past and the present with reflection and the charm my name joined the others who had come here both in the past when the Emperors came and now. The purpose of the Temple hasn't changed as far as the ritual of the lunar festivals and bringing people together, and even the honoring of Confucius. It's amazing how even as things change that some core aspects can continue on, even if the meaning changes as the people change.