**Interviewer:** Can you tell me when the Thirteen Stone Tablets Pavilion in the Confucius Temple was built and how it has changed over time?

**Luo Zequan:** The Confucius Temple in Qufu is a significant cultural landmark for Confucianism, housing many stone inscriptions, primarily in the Thirteen Stone Tablets Pavilion located in the sixth courtyard. This pavilion features tall structures arranged in two rows—eight on the south side and five on the north—totaling thirteen, which is why it’s often called the “Thirteen Imperial Stone Tablets Pavilion.”

Among the eight southern pavilions, four date back to the Jin and Yuan dynasties and four to the Qing dynasty. The five northern pavilions are all from the Qing dynasty, showcasing architectural characteristics such as double-eaved roofs adorned with yellow glazed tiles. The pavilions are designed with three open sections for visibility. Inside, you can find over 50 stone tablets from various periods, including the Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and the Republic era. Additionally, the southeast and southwest corners of the sixth courtyard are home to numerous stone inscriptions, creating what is known as a “mini stone forest,” which captures significant historical moments related to officials, scholars, and rituals honoring Confucius.

**Interviewer:** What kind of content do the inscriptions in the Thirteen Stone Tablets Pavilion cover?

**Luo Zequan:** The inscriptions mainly record emperors’ honors and tributes to Confucius, as well as details of official rituals and temple renovations. These inscriptions include Han Chinese, Phags-pa script (a Mongolian script from the Yuan dynasty), and Manchu, making them vital for studying imperial reverence for Confucius and the temple’s historical development.

For example, one of the earliest tablets from the Tang dynasty is titled “The Title of the ‘Great Tang, Bestowed Master of the Sage, Confucius’,” which expresses deep respect for Confucius, reflecting his esteemed status during that era and its importance for understanding cultural appreciation in Tang China.

Another example is the stone tablet named “Temple of the Holy Teacher Confucius,” which documents events from the 23rd year of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign. This inscription highlights the emperor’s profound admiration for Confucius’ teachings, illustrating his dedication to integrating Confucian values into governance.

**Interviewer:** How do the inscriptions featuring minority languages in the Thirteen Stone Tablets Pavilion reflect the historical context?

**Luo Zequan:** Politically, since the Han dynasty, successive Chinese emperors have recognized the significance of Confucius and the Confucius Temple, using Confucian ideals to foster cultural and political unification across various ethnic groups. During the Yuan and Qing dynasties, which were established by minority regimes, there was an active promotion of Confucian culture to gain acceptance among Han Chinese and other ethnic groups, highlighting efforts toward political integration.

Culturally, the use of different ethnic scripts in the inscriptions illustrates the exchange and integration of cultures among these groups. The Phags-pa script, created by the Mongolian royal family during the Yuan dynasty, exemplifies the cultural dialogue between Mongolian traditions and Confucianism. Similarly, the inclusion of Manchu script demonstrates the blending of Manchu culture with Confucian ideals. The recognition of Confucius and Confucian culture by various ethnicities facilitated cultural exchange and enhanced a collective cultural identity.

From an ethnic integration perspective, the evolution and use of different minority scripts from the Tang to the Qing dynasties reveal characteristics of cultural integration throughout different historical periods. Over time, the depth of interaction among ethnic groups in cultural and political contexts has increased, contributing to greater unity.

**Interviewer:** How have minority groups historically learned from and promoted Confucian thought?

**Luo Zequan:** Firstly, from a political perspective, during the late Yuan dynasty, the reestablishment of the imperial examination system focused on Confucian classics for selecting officials. The Qing dynasty further advanced this system, prioritizing Confucian principles and selecting officials knowledgeable in these texts. As a result, this system established a reliable source of talent for governance, helping Confucian ideas permeate various levels of authority.

Secondly, regarding education, minority regimes aimed to establish educational institutions that promoted the study of central plain culture, emphasizing Confucianism. For instance, the Jin dynasty created institutions teaching Confucian classics, leading to many scholars proficient in this ideology. Similarly, the Qing dynasty set up academies throughout regions focusing on the “Four Books” and “Five Classics.” Additionally, some minority elites established private schools, inviting Confucian scholars to teach, thereby spreading Confucian ideas within their communities.

During the Yuan dynasty, key texts such as the “Analects” and “Mencius” were translated into Mongolian, allowing both the aristocracy and common people to engage directly with Confucian concepts.

Moreover, through cultural exchanges with central regions, minority groups absorbed Confucian philosophies, facilitating cultural integration. They elevated the status of Confucian scholars and supported them while also incorporating central cultural elements into their unique ethnic backgrounds. Artistic forms like poetry and painting from the Liao dynasty reflect Chinese cultural influences, embodying Confucian aesthetics and values. The literature and performing arts of the Qing dynasty thrived through a fusion of central and Manchu cultures.

In summary, through political reforms, educational initiatives, and cultural exchanges, historical minority regimes effectively learned from central plain culture, enhancing the spread of Confucian texts and significantly contributing to the cultural integration and development of the Chinese nation.

**Interviewer:** In what ways has Confucianism, as established by Confucius, shaped a collective consciousness within the Chinese nation?

**Luo Zequan:** Confucianism promotes a governance order grounded in etiquette, profoundly shaping the collective consciousness of the Chinese people in three key ways:

First, the order emphasized by Confucianism lays the groundwork for value recognition through its moral norms and human relationships. Core concepts such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust, inherent in Confucian etiquette, establish shared values among the Chinese populace. These principles guide behavior across ethnic and regional boundaries, fostering cohesion.

Secondly, Confucianism significantly contributes to cultural integration and transmission among the Chinese people. As interactions among various ethnic groups increased throughout history, the cultural essence found in Confucian etiquette—including rituals, education, literature, and art—was embraced and adopted by many communities, facilitating a richer cultural merging.

This transmission of etiquette occurs through educational systems and family teachings. From ancient private schools to modern classrooms, families instill Confucian values in younger generations, ensuring the continued relevance of these values and their role in shaping the collective consciousness of the Chinese nation.

Lastly, Confucianism reinforces national identity and unity by emphasizing patriotism and fostering a strong sense of belonging. Historically, we see that, inspired by Confucian ideals, different ethnic groups have united against external threats and collaborated in state-building efforts, collectively safeguarding national interests.

As various ethnic groups adhere to Confucian principles, they cultivate a shared cultural mentality, which becomes integral to the collective consciousness of the Chinese nation. In this new era, with this collective awareness, the rich cultural traditions of diverse ethnic groups are better preserved and promoted, enriching China’s cultural heritage and facilitating innovative development.