Confucian Architecture
Confucius Temple and Architecture of Academies of Classical Learning
Confucianism was a concept and philosophy and was not a religion as well as did not involve gods and sorcery. Confucian temple was a kind of architecture for the observances of rites and rituals. It was during the middle age of the Western Han Dynasty (140 BC-87 BC) Confucianism became a government-run school of thought ? deemed for the unification of thinking and for the stabilization of the nation. The founder, Kong Qiu (Confucius), was respected as the "Teacher of Eternity", and temples in honor of him spread far and wide across the nation, and they could be found in many cities and provinces.
in the second year following the passing of Confucius, the king of Lu State converted Confucius'former residence in Qufu of Shangdong province as a temple as a commemoration to the great thinker. Sacrificial ceremony offered sacrifices to Confucius were hold in Confucian's temple. It went through 15 major and numerous minor renovations to become a huge cluster of temple buildings its scale and styles were comparable to the imperial temples and became a unique example of altar temples. The scale of today's Confucius Temple took its shape in the Qing Dynasty. The plane of the temple is long and narrow, measuring 600 meters in the north-south direction, The width of the temple measures 140 meters. There are altogether nine courtyards in the temple, with the north-south axis as its center. There are about 400 halls, altars and chambers, 54 gateways and 13 imperial tablet-pavilions within the temple grounds. The first three courtyards in the temple are meant for directional purpose. In front of the entrance is a screen wall commemoration Confucius for his impeccable character and his wisdoms. Upon passing the first three courtyards of different sizes, one would reach Kuiwen Chamber, which is the library of Confucius Temple. Behind Kuiwen Court are 13 pavilions ? each houses and imperial stone tablet. Then one would reach Dacheng Gate. Within the square of Dacheng Gate is a rectangular pavilion called Apricot Altar, and it was the former address of Confucius? lecture hall. After passing Apricot Altar, one would reach the main building of Confucius Temple ? Dacheng Hall, Qin Hall and Shengji Hall. Dacheng Hall is meat for holding grand sacrificial ceremonies. Qin Hall is where the altar of Confucius is consecrated. In Shengji Hall, a series of 120 paintings relating the life story of Confucius is displayed.
During the early period of the Tang Dynasty, a system of standards and requirements for building Confucius temples was put in place. Since then, different parts of China began to see the construction of Confucius temples. Confucius temples in the localities were all modeled on the architectural style of Qufu Confucius Temple.
Architecture of Academies of Classical Learning
The earliest academy of classical learning first came into being in the middle of Tang Dynasty. It was started by the society using funds they gathered. Founded on official and traditional private learning systems, the academy had its own lectures, collection of books and rites - making up for the inadequacies of official learning. Due to the fact that Neo-Confucianism also take into consideration Buddhist teachings, which emphasizes on cultivation of the self and to dissociate oneself from the material world, the academies were frequently built in a tranquil natural scenic spot. As rites and propriety played and important part in the academies, they were restricted by many traditional systems and thinking. The concept of symmetrical layout and the central axis along which the main buildings were built were crucial factors to be considered. Within the academy's compound were courtyards, gardens, corridors and spacious halls. The buildings were also constructed in accordance with the terrain, reflecting the harmony between man and nature. The lecture halls, which numbered three to five, were the main buildings along the central axis. In front of lecture halls were special courtyards, which helped in giving prominence to the status of the main buildings in the academy and allowed space for further extensions.
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