Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s9.t2.15

v1.c7.s9.t2.15

Ever since Confucianism was established its position as an orthodoxy, emperors from various dynasties granted numerous titles posthumously to Confucius in order to manifest their respective reverence towards him. Here are just a few names: Emperor Liu Kan of the Western Han Dynasty in the first year of reign of Yuanshi (the first year CE) bestowed to Confucius a title of Honourable Baochengxuan Duke from Ni Mountain; Emperor Xiaowen Yuanhong of the Northern Wei Dynasty (492 CE), addressed him as Cultural Sage of Reverent Father from Ni Mountain; Emperor Yangjian of the Sui Dynasty (581 CE) named him as Master of Earlier Generation; Emperor Li Zhi of the Tang Dynasty (666 CE) presented him the title of Senior Grand Tutor; and Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty (690 CE) gave him the title of Grand Moral Duke; Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (739 CE) gave him the title of King of Cultural Eminence; Emperor Chengzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1307 CE) increase for him the title of King of Cultural Eminence of Great Achievement and Sacrosanctity; Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty (1530 CE) gave him the title of the Earlier Sacrosanctity Master; Emperor Shizu of the Qing Dynasty (1645 CE) honored him as the Earlier Master of Cultural Eminence of Great Achievement and Sacrosanctity; then in 1935, National Government of KMT respected him as the Earlier Master of Great Achievement and Sacrosanctity.