Zhong Zhong And His Thought

Zhong Gong also named Ran Yong. He was born in Lu in Chunqiu, and was the student ofConfucius. Zhong Gong was famous for his virtue. He is a member of virtuous subject. Hisability of governing was approved by Confucius. Confucious praised him “make the south”.For all the Confucius’ disciples, this evaluation is very high.The story of Zhong Gong’s life is so less. History has been recorded that he has been anofficer in Ji’s home. About this time, since in the past, scholars of all ages have differentcontroversies. The research of the time should be in502BC to498BC.From the records of the Analects of Confucius, Zhong Gong was popular with Confucius.This was born on his character: Although kind heartedness but no eloquence, gravity and reserve,Thinking well and persevering. All of these are the outstanding character of Zhong Gong. ZhongGong has unique insights in the conduct of public affeir, The literature has recorded that he oftendiscuss the political problem with Confucius. Especially the<Zhonggong>of Chu-Dynastybamboo slips of Warring states collected by shanghai Museum (Vol.3) was come out, we canunderstand the characteristics of Zhong Gong’s thought clearly. He advocates that “do loftily andlive simply”. Employing the strategy is that “Use of competent people”. The concept of moralityand punishment is that “Morality together with punishment”. All of these are the main characterof Zhong Gong’s thought.Zhong Gong has not only a higher position in Confucius disciples, but also admiraed by thelater generations. Xunzi is a great Confucian scholar of the Warring States Period, Zi Xia, Zi Si,Mencius Confucian school were more severely criticized by him, But often praised Zi Gong,and put him with the Confucius together. Zi Gong is Zhong Gong, or Hanbi Zigong. Forthousand of years, there has no conclusion. In contrast, we think that he should be Zhong Gong,the Confucius’ student. Xunzi will his theory back to Confucius, Zi Gong, so between ZhongGong and Xunzi must have certain relation.About Zhong Gong’s works, there’s no historical investigation, According to historicalrecords, Zhong Gong has taken part in writing “The Analects of Confucius”. This is thecontribution of Zhong Gong to play Confucianism and diseminate of Confucianism. The <Zhong Gong> of Chu-Dynasty bamboo slips of Warringstates collected by shanghai Museum (Vol.3) provide literature basis for the differentiation ofConfucianism and Southward propagation. Therefore, Zhong Gong has an important status in thedeveloping history of Confucianism, his thoughts effect the later is profound and lasting. Wecan put the literature and unearthed literatures together, studying the character of Zhong Gong’thoughts and the contribution, in order to know him comprehensively and accurately. So we canknow his position in the history of the development of Confucianism again.