CHINA: Backgrounder: A glimpse of Confucius

10:17, January 23, 2010

The biopic of the life of the ancient Chinese philosopher and educator Confucius starring Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat was shown across China on Friday.

The film, which cost about 150 million yuan (about 21.9 million U.S. dollars) to make, focuses on the great philosopher's life experiences from 51 to 73. It is the first film about him.

The following is a brief account of the philosopher:

Confucius (551 BC-479 BC) was born in a warrior's family in the ancient Chinese state of Lu, today's Qufu city in Shandong Province. He lost his father when he was only three years old and had to brave poverty with his mother, who died 14 years later.

Confucius was a diligent learner, and when he was 27, he was said to have opened his first private school, probably the first one of its kind in the Chinese history. Three years later, he was an established educator admired by many young people at the time. Legend has it that Confucius had some 3,000 disciples and 72 of them became accomplished men.

The "Analects" is the most important legacy of the great educator. Confucius attached great importance to study the classic and wanted his followers to think deeply and study with unremitting efforts.

Confucius was also remembered for founding the Confucianism, a philosophical, moral and political system that has been holding sway in China and other Asian countries for centuries.

The fundamental teachings of Confucianism emphasize the importance of individual's moral development. It upholds the social responsibility by a human being.

Source: Xinhua

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