Ming Bling 3

Confucius Temple

The Jianshui Confucius temple is one of the most important Confucian complexes in China, and is a sight to behold. There's loads of beautiful temples within the grounds, educational facilities, living quarters, a huge lake, gardens, and a million nooks and crannies.

The temple itself was constructed in 1285, and has been repaired and expanded over fifty times over the centuries. During the Ming and Qing dynasties it was the cultural and educational centre of southern Yunnan.

Confucius, in case you don't remember, was around in the 5th century BC, and the influence of his teachings is still widely felt in east Asia today, as well as in many other places. He is regarded as one of the most important and influential philosophers in Chinese history.

Confucius (or Kong Si in Chinese), taught the value of a strong sense of personal (and government) morality, correct social relationships, justice, kindness and sincerity. He taught that it was a leader's responsibility to rule with virtue and compassion.

And so, as a co-Guardian of Mother Earth I hereby decree that all world leaders are now required to graduate from Confucian training with High Distinctions or above in the subjects of Virtue, Kindness, Appreciation of Nature, Sincerity, Empathy, Generosity and Compassion.

Otherwise you're not gettin' the keys to the palace, ya wankers.

It's so chilled wandering about the gardens here in the middle of the day. There's no one much around, everyone's having lunch or asleep.

Wisdom rays were everywhere in there

The man himself

And some trusty disciples

Holy water. Yep, it ain't just a Christian thing.

The woodwork everywhere is so elaborate and beautiful

Carved temple doors

Prayer cards. These are prayers or wishes that people are seeking, either for themselves, or for their loved ones.

Desire and hope are alive and well in this world.

Circular portals. Passing through them is cosmic, because when you reach the other side you're suddenly no longer the same person, but are thrust into a rebirth, as a new avatar of yourself.

It's true. Try it if you don't believe me.

Beautiful flowers. They're real too. Real plastic. Fake flowers aren't frowned upon in Asia as they are almost everywhere in the West. It's only in hip retro op shops and grannies' flats that they're still acceptable.

Confucian classroom

Temple rituals, from old photos and paintings in the complex.

Confucius getting around, back in the day

Original rammed earth building

It got really tiring becoming a new person all the time.

The temple also produces its own earthenware.

Colourful joss sticks

This is an old wiry cypress. I bet it's seen a thing or two in its life. When you stand underneath it it lovingly refracts wisdom into your heart and soul, and, if you concentrate, you can actually see the wisdom rays entering your being-portal as rainbows.

To my great good fortune, I happened upon an amazing traditional music performance while I was there. The musicians were dressed in all their ancient garb, which perfectly matched the age of the players and their instruments.

I chatted to this friendly guy afterwards. He was very keen to pose for me, so I obliged with a portrait. He played a type of erhu, a two-stringed instrument, this particular one was pitched very low. He was basically the bassist.