Just one school of thought
Confucius, the great philosopher who lived 2,500 years ago, has been a controversial figure in Chinese history. Since his teachings were adopted as virtually official ideology in the Han dynasty, they have dominated Chinese social and political life.
It was not until the late 19th century that the pre-eminent influence of Confucianism was challenged. A new generation of Chinese - exposed to western thought and material wealth - began to ask whether Confucianism had been the root cause of a weak nation.
Throughout the 20th century, many cultural and political battles were waged over Confucius and his legacies. As late as 1974, political attacks mounted by the notorious Gang of Four against premier Zhou Enlai were made in the name of a campaign called 'Criticising Lin Biao and Confucius'.
Now the Hong Kong-based Confucian Academy is reportedly making progress in its campaign to get Confucius' birthday declared a public holiday. It is time Hongkongers reflected on his legacy and considered whether the academy's cause is worth supporting.
To begin with, many Chinese probably have no problem honouring Confucius as a philosopher and educator. He may well have been the earliest advocate of universal education - championing the view that 'with education there is no distinction between classes or races of men'.
Confucius' birthday, September 28, has long been designated a public holiday - albeit indirectly, as Teachers' Day - in parts of China. Teachers' Day was first made a public holiday in 1932 by the Kuomintang government of the Republic of China. But it was dropped in 1951 by the communist regime that seized control of the mainland in 1949.
However, Teachers' Day has continued to be a public holiday in Taiwan, where the KMT fled. In 1985, the mainland re-established Teachers' Day, changing the date to September 10. Now, more and more people are urging Beijing to change it back to Confucius' birthday.
Beijing may, one day, accede to the request. The communist authorities have tacitly reversed their once-hostile attitude towards Confucianism as the feudal thought that dragged China down.
This was shown by Beijing's decision to adopt the name 'Confucius Institute' for the Chinese version of the British Council, Alliance Francaise and Goethe Institute. Its mission is to promote the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language overseas.
Many people in Hong Kong would probably welcome the celebration of Confucius' birthday, although they may take issue with the Confucian Academy's rationale for establishing such a commemorative day.
Among other things, the academy has set itself the mission of winning state recognition of Confucianism as a religion. It is even trying to set up a Confucius temple next to Hong Kong's Taoist Wong Tai Sin Temple.
The folk practice of deifying great men and women is common in China, and Confucius has been worshipped as a saint for ages. Still, many scholars of Confucianism are opposed to regarding it as a religion.
They argue that a distinguishing feature of Confucius' teachings is that they are not built around any supernatural deities. Nor do they make reference to a life after death - as do the teachings of Buddha and Mohammad.
The Confucian Academy is entitled to its views, but it represents just one school of thought about Confucianism. Should the government decide to make Confucius' birthday a public holiday, it will have to be very careful about explaining its rationale.
C. K. Lau is the Post's executive editor, policy
