Confucius on Authenticity and Burial Traditions

[Original text]

9·12 When the Master fell ill, Zilu made one of the disciples his official (1). When his illness was alleviated (2), he said, “It has been a long time, Zilu, since you have been acting in a deceitful manner. You have made an official out of a nobody. Who am I deceiving? The heavens? I would rather die at the hands of one of you two than

at the hands of an official (3). Even if I am not allowed to have a grand funeral, I would rather die on the road than at the hands of my disciples.”

[Notes]

(1) For a minister: a minister refers to a family minister, a general. Confucius was not a nobleman at the time, and did not have a family minister, but Zilu asked the disciples to act as Confucius’ family minister, and to be responsible for the burial of Confucius.

(2) Between illnesses: the illness has eased.

(3) Rather than: rather. ‘Rather’ is a particle with no meaning.

(4) Da zang: refers to the funeral of a nobleman.

Translation

Confucius fell seriously ill. Zilu sent (Confucius’s) disciples to be Confucius’s servants (to take care of the funeral arrangements). Later, Confucius’s illness improved. He said, “Zilu has been doing this kind of trickery for a long time.

I clearly don’t have a servant, but I pretend to have one. Who am I fooling? Am I fooling heaven? Rather than die with the attendance of my servants, I would rather die with the attendance of my students.

Wouldn’t that be better? And even if I can’t be buried with the rites of a nobleman, will I be left on the side of the road and no one will bury me?

Commentary

Confucianism attaches great importance to funerals, especially the rules of funeral etiquette. The dead must be buried in strict accordance with the relevant provisions of Zhouli. Different levels of people have different funeral ceremonies.

Violating this rule is a great crime. Confucius opposed his students holding a funeral for him according to the rites of a nobleman, because he wanted to abide by the rules of Zhou.

Confucius, the revered Chinese philosopher, faced a serious illness, and his disciple Zilu took the initiative to appoint a gatekeeper as a substitute for a proper steward to manage his affairs. As Confucius’ health improved, he expressed his thoughts on this situation, highlighting his beliefs about authenticity and the traditional burial customs of his time.

Confucius remarked, “For a long time, Zilu has been engaging in these deceitful practices. Although I have no household servants, he pretends as though I do. Who am I deceiving? Am I deceiving Heaven? I would rather die under the care of you, my students, than under the pretense of having a steward. Even if I cannot be buried with the honors of a nobleman, would I be left abandoned on the roadside?”

This statement underscores Confucius’ disdain for pretense and his commitment to living in accordance with genuine principles rather than false appearances. His critique reflects a broader philosophical stance against the hypocrisy of pretending to possess what one does not truly have.

In Confucius’ time, burial practices were deeply significant, with strict adherence to hierarchical rites according to the Zhou Dynasty’s regulations. The proper burial rites for a nobleman were of utmost importance, and failing to observe these customs was seen as a grave disrespect. Confucius’ reluctance to have his students conduct his funeral in a manner fitting a nobleman was a deliberate choice to remain faithful to these established rituals.

By refusing to accept a fabricated show of respect, Confucius demonstrated his dedication to authenticity and respect for tradition. His preference to be cared for by his students rather than by a pretender reflects his belief in the importance of sincerity and the rejection of superficial forms of honor. Even in death, Confucius chose to uphold the principles of genuine conduct, highlighting the deep connection between his teachings and his personal values.

This story not only reveals Confucius’ views on authenticity and traditional customs but also illustrates the importance of adhering to one’s principles and values in all aspects of life.