In celebration of the 2575th anniversary of the birth of the great sage Confucius, the overseas Chinese community in Northern California held the 44th Confucius Memorial Ceremony at the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center on September 28th (last Sunday). The ritual began with the offering ceremony as the drums and bells resounded in unison, conducted by Du Zhaoming as the chief officiant. Following the etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, the ceremony included rituals such as opening the door, welcoming the deity, the dance of the six officials, and the presentation of offerings. Hundreds of people attended the event, witnessing the solemn cultural education of traditional rites.
The Confucius Memorial Ceremony in Northern California was established in 1982 and is the earliest and largest overseas Confucius ritual. Over the years, this event has not only been passed down within the overseas Chinese communities but has also gained recognition from the mainstream American society.
In the year 2000, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 177, designating September 28th as “California Confucius Day.”
The chief organizer, Shi Guangting, emphasized that Confucius is a significant symbol of Chinese culture, with his Confucian teachings laying the foundation for education and ethics, which continue to deeply influence the Chinese and global community. He expressed special thanks to the support from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, the Chinese Culture and Education Center in the Bay Area, and the cooperation of the advanced members and committee colleagues, which ensured the successful completion of the ceremony. In his speech, the new director, Wu Zhixiang, pointed out that the Confucius ritual is not only a commemoration of the sage but also a way to pass on the wisdom of benevolence, justice, and respect for teachers; Confucius taught “to learn without being weary and to not be ashamed of asking questions”, reminding people to be brave in questioning and to constantly progress.
During the ceremony, director Wu Zhixiang, Center Director Zhuang Yashu, Qilu Club Director Yirong, and President Fu Qijun of the Northern California Chinese School Association, dressed in traditional robes, served as presenting officials according to ancient rituals. Dozens of state senators, representatives, county mayors, and city council members also attended the event, presenting commendations and adding to the grand and warm atmosphere.
Chairman of the China Democracy Education Foundation, Feng Congde, elaborated from an academic perspective that the origins of the Confucius Memorial originated from ancestral sacrifices, evolving into a national grand ritual during the Han Dynasty, which has a history of over two thousand years and is the only traditional national sacrificial ceremony that has continued to this day in China, belonging to the level of “Da Si.”
He emphasized that Taiwan is the place where orthodox ancient rituals are fully preserved, not mainland China; the Communist Party destroyed Confucian temples during the Cultural Revolution, and now in mainland China, the Confucius rituals have become mere tourist performances, even held three times a day, losing the essence of worship. Feng Congde pointed out that Chinese culture possesses the power of integration and inclusivity, which can prevent conflicts between civilizations and promote the world towards the ideal of “great harmony.”
At the ceremony, 36 young dancers dressed in ancient attire performed the dance of the six officials with solemn steps to express their respect for Confucius. FASCA youth Weng Yusen, who has participated in the dance for three consecutive years, stated, “From not knowing the movements at the beginning to memorizing them completely, this has been an unforgettable experience.” He believes that the most important movement is the bow, symbolizing respect for Confucius and praying for academic improvement.
Following the ceremony, students from the Northern California Chinese School recited the Confucian classic “Standards for being a Good Student.” Tenth-grade student Fang Zemu recited the classic during the ceremony, stating, “Confucius’ teachings have helped me understand the importance of respecting my parents, which is very significant.”
The event concluded with the presentation of awards for outstanding teachers, excellent students from the Qilu region, and special contributions, to continue the spirit of respecting teachers.
This year, outstanding K-12 teachers from mainstream school districts were also recognized, promoting the concept of respecting teachers in American communities and demonstrating the profound significance of the continuation and revival of Chinese culture.