The two Chinese words “Great Learning” is derived from the Confucian classic Book “Great Learning”. This architecture has nine floors and a height of 65 meters, mainly consisting of the Hall of Jixian (the Hall of Sages Gathering), the way to Great Learning (the way to Confucius’ world), the Clay Figures Art Corridor of 72 sages, Five Constant Virtue Halls such as Benevolence Hall, Integrity Hall, Wisdom Hall, Righteousness Hall, Rituals Hall, art show venue-the Hall of Rituals and Music.
Based on the beautiful landscapes of Nishan, there are six double- sided exquisite folding screens, including Wise Stream, Wende Forest, Five Ancient Peaks, Watching- Stream Pavilion, Luyuan Village and the Cave of Confucius.
One day, when standing by a stream, Confucius said, “Time passes away day and night just like the running water”. On the left side there is the lacquer painting named Orchid. When traveling around the countries in 14 years, Confucius educated his disciples, which were as follows: orchid growing in the deep forest, which won’t cease sending out fragrant smells if nobody cares, and a gentleman, being a man of noble character, who won’t lose and forget his morality and virtue in spite of long-term poverty.
The most ancient Chinese architectural complex was made up of wood, which could easily catch fire. To protect the complex from the fire, the craftsmen carved some special aquatic plants, such as the lotus and its leaf, which is the symbol of fire protection.
The way to Great Learning consists of 80 steps. After walking step by step, one can easily understand and master the elements of traditional Chinese culture, ultimately follow up the footsteps of sage, open the door of wisdom, gaining more honors and achievements.
Zhu Xi, one of the most famous Confucian masters of the Song Dynasty, once said, “Without sage Confucius, all of history would have been endless night.” That is to say, without Confucius, Chinese culture would be like water without a source, like trees without roots. The world today faces both opportunities and challenges. The road ahead, bumpy as it may be, will lead to a promising future.
The first chapter of the Great Learning consists of 58 Chinese characters written by one top Chinese (regular script) calligrapher, Zhao Mengfu, from the Yuan dynasty. “Great Learning” refers to what adults should learn, namely, general rules and principles on governance and human relationships; hence, Mingde is an expression of the highest degree of morality manifested by a ruler.
The Clay Figures Art Corridor of 72 sages is one of the most important parts of the Hall of Great Learning. There is an oil painting named Teaching at the Apricot Altar. Confucius sat under an apricot tree playing the Chinese zither and tutoring his disciples. History books recorded that sage Confucius taught them the six arts: rituals, music and dance, archery, chariot driving, calligraphy, and mathematics.
With 105 meters in length, 17.5meters width, and 16 meters in height, the Clay Figures Art Corridor consists of 30 sets of clay figures, telling people some famous stories that happened between Confucius and his disciples, most of which were derived from such classics as the Analects of Confucius, Records of the Grand Historian, and a Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals, pursuing breakthroughs on the core values of traditional Chinese culture in a creative way.
Yan Hui, style name Ziyuan, ranks first among the seventy-two most virtuous disciples of Confucius. In the Analects, Confucius commended Yan Hui, “Admirable indeed was the virtue of Hui! With a single bamboo dish of rice, a single gourd dish of drink, and living in his mean narrow lane, while others could not have endured the distress, he did not allow his joy to be affected by it. Admirable indeed was the virtue of Hui!”
Min Sun, style name Ziqian, one of the most 24 filial sons in Chinese history. As recorded in the Analects of Confucius, Confucius praised him, Filial indeed is Min Ziqian! Nobody doubts the praises given to him by his parents and brothers.”
Although his stepmother treated him with flimsy cloth, Min Sun still forgave her without any complaints. As a kindhearted and honest man, Min Sun was obedient to his parents, loved his younger brothers, and practiced the traditional virtues of filial piety, fraternal duty and forgiveness.
Zhuansun Shi, whose given name was Shi, was also known by his style name, Zizhang. In the chapter “Zizhang” of the Analects of Confucius, Zizhang said, “The man who is ready to lay down his life when confronted with danger, who does not forget a past promise despite enduring poverty, who judges sacrifice by the degree of reverence shown and mourning by the degree of grief may be considered as a true man.”
Zizhang, easy-going and conforming to social customs, showed little regard for trivial details and attached great importance to moral cultivation. He was a model for loyalty and faithfulness and was credited with possessing the virtues of a “sage” after Confucius.
The royal dance of six dynasties was made up of two grades of dance: the little royal dance for the youngster and the great dance for the adult, which was considered the fundamental part of royal rites and music in the Zhou dynasty. This dance was used to educate royal youngsters to be of the nobility. This show evolved from adults’ dance in ancient times.
Based on the cultural and historical demands, the dance was finally recreated and showed on August 27th 2016.
As the character of “Benevolence” is the core virtue of Junzi (gentleman), this hall is the largest hall among the Five Constant Virtue Halls. The Hall of Benevolence is 28 meters in height with a total area of more than 2800 square meters.
With a capacity of 1500 persons, it can serve as an auditorium, a palace and a lecture room as well. Restrain ones words and deeds to comply with social norms, which is the fundamental method Confucius recommended for achieving benevolence. From the hall one could find color-painting phoenixes and kylin on the ceiling, on both side there are the bookshelves which can collect more than 40 thousand books.
The Hall of Integrity reflected via the seal-shape lacquer painting describes four historical stories of ancient China, such as Keep promise by Jibu, Jizi hung his sword in a tree, Retreat the army to avoid a conflict and Removing the wood to build prestige.
Integrity is one of the principal ethical standards one should observe in order to establish oneself in society. However, one must comply with ethical principles in honoring a promise. If a promise goes against ethical principles, one should not blindly deliver it.
Confucianism stresses the importance of acting in sincerity for both rulers and people: A ruler must keep his promises made to the people so that they will abide by his decrees; one should be honest and truthful towards friends.
Confucius enlightened his disciples, “I really don’t know whether a man could survive in the society if he loses the credibility. How can a big carriage be made to go without the crossbar for yoking the oxen, or a small carriage without the crossbar for yoking the horses?”
On the west wall there is one handmade woodcarving: Zigong asked Confucius how to govern a state orderly. Confucius said, “The requisites of government are that there be sufficiency of food, sufficiency of military equipment, and the belief of the people in their ruler.”
Zigong said, “If one of three elements can be removed, which one can be first eliminated?” “The military equipment,” said Confucius. Zigong asked again, “If one of two elements can be removed, which one can be eliminated?” Confucius answered, “The food. Without food, hunger and death will be fatal to all the people; you may lose the fundamental base. In the end, there is no standing for the state.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 9 MAY 2025
