111.曲阜縣瞻孔廟 Visiting the Temple of Confucius in Chu Fu County

曲阜縣瞻孔廟

儒教大成至聖。孔子廟。乃中國文化創始者。孔丘之紀念廟宇也。位于山東曲阜縣。對于中國歷史文化。具重要性之價值。公以仰慕。孔仲尼道德文章。故來此觀禮。孔廟孔陵以示意。

宣化偈曰：

大哉孔子道德高。萬世千秋皆師表。 三千門人從教化。七十學者入門牆。

Visiting the Temple of Confucius in Ch’u Fu County

The achievements of Confucius are extremely sagely and great, and Confucianism is an important element if Chinese civilization. The hall commemorating Confucius is located in Ch’u Fu County, Shan Tung Province, and it holds a very important place in history of the Chinese culture. The Master greatly admired Confucius’ way virtue and scholarship, so he went there to view and pay his respects to the temple and tomb of Confucius in order to demonstrate these feelings.

The gatha says: Great indeed is Confucius, whose virtue in the Way is high. A myriad generations for thousands of years look to him as a teacher and model. Of more than three thousand pupils whom this Master taught, There were but seventy scholars who entered the door of his school.