Page 114 - Gan's Family History

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Dynasty and play the Shao music All the fellow disciples were
(name of music of Emperor Shun) and very sad at the loss of such a good
dance music. The music of Zheng, friend and held a very elaborate
which is obscene, should be funeral for him.
forbidden. Vile characters, who are Yan Hui was also held in high
very dangerous, should be kept at regard by the later generations and
bay." was called "The Duplicate Sage".
When they travelled around
the states to lobby the dukes,
Confucius showed particular care to Extract Three
29
his favourite student. Once when
Yan Hui lagged behind when the
master and disciples were besieged
by a group of people in Kuang,
Confucius became very worried and
said to Yan Hui when he caught up,
"I did worry a lot about your safety."
Yan Hui said, "How can I die
when my teacher still needs my
service?"
Confucius sighed: "I am afraid
even Yan Hui can't help me much
since he never raises any objection to
whatever I say."
As a result of prolonged
poverty and hard work, Yan Hui died
before his master at the age of 32, his 30
hair on his head turned white. He
passed away on the 15th year reign
of Duke Yuan, Lu Prefecture, on the Seventy-two (72) disciples were
23rd day of the 8th lunar moon, 481 mentioned by name in the LUN YU
BC. and while Confucius doubtless had
Confucius was deeply grieved more. The 72 disciples accorded him
at his death and said, "Heaven is by tradition is suspiciously a sacred
taking away my life." calendrical numbers.
Someone said, "Master, you The most famous of his 72
should not be so sad." disciples was perhaps Yan Hui. He
Confucius answered, "If I do was a disciple who never gained
not grieve over the loss of Yan Hui, office but remained uncomplainingly
whom shall I grieve over?" poor and unswervingly faithful to his
principles. His virtue and

29 The following is an Extract from the Cambridge 30 Picture of the plaque was taken from the Gan Klang Association
Encyclopaedia of China.(New Edition) whose members had gone to Qufu and visited Yan Hui’s Temple