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ANCIENT CHINA
Guozijian
Great Lanterns of Learning
Translated by Ding Yue, polished by Eliot Evans
O
ne of the distinguishing features of Chinese
8,000, and in 1422—the heyday of the Nanjing institution—
civilisation is its unerring emphasis on
to over 9,900. However, in 1421, the capital was moved from
education. Indeed, Chinese people have
Nanjing to Beijing, and the emperor ordered the founding of a
always considered reading and studying
Guozijian there.
honorable pursuits.
Even Confucius, the great sage of education, built his
On the whole, students at these institutions were
nominated annually by county and prefecture, though places
name and career on the educational traditions that came
were also given to sons of major officials, of royal families, or of
before him, accumulating through past dynasties. In fact,
ethnic leaders, as well foreigners from Goryeo (North Korea),
Chinese education began to develop as early as the 21st
Japan, and Siam (Thailand).
century BC. In time, the royal classes began establishing
official schools to cultivate their children and train their heirs.
From AD 607 to the fall of the Qing Dynasty (1644–
The Guozijian taught a variety of subjects, including the
“Four Books” and “Five Classics” of Confucianism, Mathematics,
Calligraphy, Policy-Making and even Foreign Languages.
1911), China’s highest institute of learning was the Guozijian
To test their problem solving skills, students were sent out
(Guozixue or Guozisi) or the Imperial College, which had
to participate in the administration of land tax and the
evolved over the course of 300 years.
construction of irrigation works, or compile and copy The
Successive rulers placed great stock on the erudition
Yongle Encyclopedia, then one of the largest encyclopedias in
of their subjects. Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) Emperor Taizu
the world. Competent students were reserved for official posts
(reign: 1368–99), for example, never had the chance to receive
and incompetent ones sent back for further study.
a thorough education—born as he was of a peasant family—
In Beijing, the Guozijian was situated on the central street,
but discovered the importance of intellectuals during his
adjoining the Confucius Temple. Its centrepiece was the Piyong,
rebellion against the Yuan (1271–1368), and the early period
the hall where, beginning with Emperor Kangxi (reign: 1662–
of his rule. Even before he came to power, Taizu had set up
1723), rulers delivered lectures to scholars and officials, and
a Guozixue at the Confucius Temple in Nanjing, and once
today, ranks as one of the city’s six most famous imperial palaces.
emperor, he hastened the training of scholars and officials. In
Qing Emperor Qianlong (reign: 1735–96) came to the
1368, the first year of his reign, Taizu ordered all officials who
Piyong every year in February and August, to attend ceremonies
had a low level of education to engage in advanced studies
honouring Confucius. To the sound of drums and the smell
at the Guozixue, so they could equip themselves to run the
of incense, he walked along the Panshui River, seated himself
country. Then in 1369, he demanded schools be established
towards the south and delivered speeches on the classic
in all counties and prefectures around China.
Confucian texts The Great Learning or The Classic of Filial Piety.
In April, 1381, he ordered the establishment of a Guozijian
This ceremony was repeated during the reigns of Emperor
(today’s Southeast University) at Jilong Mountain, Nanjing,
Jiaqing (reign: 1795–1821) and Emperor Daoguang (reign:
then the country’s largest and highest institute of learning.
1821–51) of the Qing Dynasty, regarded, as it was, as a form of
Built on a grand scale, it had over 2,000 rooms for studying.
educational transmission—running from the sages through the
Seven halls (one main hall and six side halls) were used for
emperor to the common people.
teaching, and 435 rooms as student dormitories (Haofang)—
During the Qing Dynasty, the Guozijian had nearly 1,000
a number that increased to 1,089 as more and more enrolled.
students, including China’s ethnic minorities and foreigners
Additionally, over 100 rooms, including the Guangzhe Study
from Russia, Jiaozhi (Myanmar) and Goryeo (North Korea). Thus
and Princes’ Study, were built for foreign students.
it became a major meeting ground for talent and a crucial stage
By 1393, the number of students had risen to over
for cultural exchange between China and other countries.