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Confucian Cultural Relics Safe in China
The temple, family mansion and graveyard of the revered Chinese sage Confucius are under safe protection, and the centuries-old structures have not been damaged as rumored in a "careless" cleaning, the local government said Thursday, February 8.
The three sites are situated in the birthplace of Confucius in the city of Qufu in Shandong Province, east China.
They are among the Chinese treasures included on the list of the World Cultural Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
According to the formerly reported tale by the media, in a thorough clean-up of the sites to celebrate its coming into existence, the newly formed China Confucius International Tourism Co., Ltd. hosed down and used brushes on the wooden structures and stone tablets. And as a result, severe damage was done to paintings.
The saying of "hosing down" is completely groundless, the local government of Qufu stated in an investigative report which was released Thursday.
"No hosing was made although it was assured that a few staff members used wet towels to clean some columns and pedestals of stone tablets in the temple. Such actions were not taken in the mansion and cemetery," the report said.
Confucius (551-479 B.C.) lived in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.) when China was in a state of disorder with very rampant crime and slavery on the decline.
Confucius traveled among the kingdoms in what is now eastern China around 500 B.C. offering to serve as an adviser. He tried to instill in people moral standards through his philosophy about human nature, life and government.
Although largely ignored in his day, Confucius' teachings of a just, benevolent government by educated, moral officials became a model for Chinese dynasties from the first century on. Later emperors glorified Confucius, helping fund the construction of the huge temple and mansion.
His teachings had significant influence not only in China but other parts of East Asia.
"Men of general knowledge will know that it is a terribly weighty task of protecting the sites. Nobody will dare to wash the relics," said Kong Xiangjin, director of the Qufu Tourism Administration and also a Confucian descendant.
According to the investigative report, the Qufu Cultural Relics Tourism Service Department, responsible for managing the sites, undertook the botched action to spruce up the sites late last year. Staff were required not to use water on colored paintings, and those door and window frames, re-painted in 1996, could be mopped up with wet towel.
The department has 600 staff members and 117 of them are professionals in cultural relics and antique building, according to officials.
The report also acknowledged that a few careless clerks violated the requirements and flushed the floor and filth with water splattering the walls of the sites.
"It is true that a few parts of paintings have peeled off, but it is not the result of the clean-up," Xu Huichen, senior engineer in cultural protection, said.
The existing architectures in the temple were built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, which have not been repaired until now, except for two key buildings, the Dacheng Hall and Kuiwen Hall.
It is a matter of fact that weathering and birds' pecking and kicking resulted in the peeling, according to Xu. In some buildings which have not yet been opened to the public, the peeling is also rampant, proving that the clean-up should not be held responsible, Xu added.
Xu has solid experiences of antique repair and protection, and headed a team to rehabilitate late Premier Zhou Enlai's former residence.
In the temple's Dacheng Hall, purported as having been damaged out of recognition, the report said that paintings and paint are still intact, and the three-meter-tall Confucius statue is with its usual vivid look.
Streams of visitors took photos at scenic sites in the temple capped by a new spring snowfall. "I have worked in the city for more than 10 years. I come here quite a few times in a single month with my friends. I can't see any damage to the relics. The washing hearsay is just sensational," Mr. Li, a local citizen, said outside the Dacheng Hall.
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