During the time when Confucius lived，China was split into dozens of independent states.Although they all regard the King of Zhou as the nominal overlord，they are independent political entities themselves.The statesnot only commuted and competed with each other，butalso warred and annexed against each other.People suffer from the pain of war constantly.The Spring and Autumn Period started when King Ping moved the capital east to Luoyang.The royal power began to decline from then on.The states competed for domination.Annexations were frequent and political order was shattered.At the beginning of the Spring and Autumn Period，there were more than a hundred states，famous among them include Qi，Jin，Chu，Qin，Lu，Song，Wei，Yan，Chen，Cao，Cai，Zheng，Wu，Yue，etc.The Spring and Autumn Period was named after a historic work compiled by Confucius.Confucius compiled and edited the work Spring and Autumn by the historians of Lu.It recorded from 722 to481 BC.It’s the earliest chronological history in China.On the surface Spring and Autumn is an objective record of history without comments，nevertheless the words conveyed appraisal and debasement，which is called the Spring and Autumn style.There are three works that interpret Spring and Autumn，and they are Zuo’s Spring and Autumn，Gongyang’s Spring and Autumn，and Guliang’s Spring and Autumn.The Spring and Autumn Period refersto the several hundred years that Confucius’Spring andAutumn recorded.During that period of time，economy developed and culture flourished.Ideas were relatively at liberty.Schools of thoughts appeared and were actively debating.Theorderandetiquetteofslaverywereundergoing decadence.It was a time of war and chaos.Confucius aimed to restore the harmony of Western Zhou（1046–771 BC），when a rigid system of regulations and etiquettes was maintained.Confucius advocated that system and found selfish motives and lust for power of people，especially of the kings，were the major obstacles that destroyed the system.So he called for restraint of self and desire，and aimed to restore the shattered system.In order to fulfill this aim，one must engage his behavior and mind to benevolence.Confucius advocated the obedient relationship between the king and the subject，the father and the son.He claimed that governors be concerned about his people and not generate conflicts.He claimed that people obey the laws and regulations，be responsible to his job and position，and live in harmony.The core of the Confucian philosophy is“benevolence，”which is his deep understanding of humanity.The Confucian doctrinewas widely spread and the Confucian school graduallyformed based on the Analects.His ideas have brought profound influence and served as the main political groundwork for the ruling class and the most powerful belief system in China for two thousand years.Prime Minister Zhao Pu of the Northern Song Dynasty（960–1127）once said that half of the Analects’content is enough reference to abide by for a ruler to rule the country.
Confucius had become a symbol and a representation of the Chinese culture.As Western values are undergoing severe trials and the balance between humanity and material benefits is seriously threatened，the Confucian spirit and the Oriental philosophies bring hope and possibilities to the world with its tolerance，benevolence，integrity，responsibility，order，and harmony.
During his life time，Confucius never imagined that his ideas can have such a profound impact on the Chinese political，social，and cultural lives.The Emperors of the following dynasties all paid homage to him and bestowed great honor and privilege to him as a saint.The excessive homageap pearsinconsistent with the difficult life Confucius led and his qualities of modesty and diligence.Nevertheless，it helped the persistent spreading of the Confucian ideas.Qufu of Shandong is the homeland of Confucius.The Confucian temple，family seat，and woods have been recorded into the World Heritages of Cultural Relics.When you walk into Qufu，you can feel history and culture in the wind.Everything here has a taste of the Confucian spirit.
The Confucian Temple is located in the city of Qufu.The architectural structure is grand and magnificent and is the place for worshipping the saint.For 2，400 years，the worshipping of Confucius has never been interrupted.The temple is also the most ancient architectural cluster that still exists in China.There are nine connected yards，54 gatehouses，13 kiosks of imperial steles.The most important architecture in the Confucian Temple is the Dacheng Palace，which is the main worshipping place.The palace is magnificent and fancily decorated with dragon sculptured pillars.The Confucius statue is at the central position.On both sides are statues of successors Zengzi，Yanzi，Zisi，and Mencius，and twelve major deciples.There is a square kiosk with apricot altar in front of the palace.It is said that Confucius used to teach at this spot and the giant tree was originally planted by Confucius.
The Confucian Family Seat is at the east of the Confucian Temple.It is where the offspings of Confucius havebeenresidingandthesecondmostgrand architectural cluster in China following the Forbidden City.The Seat has an area of 246 acres and was built into three sections，the central，east，and west part.The east section is the family temple.The west section is the school.The central section is a theme architecture.
The Confucian Woods is the city of the dead for the Confucian family.It is located at the north of Qufu and has an area of 3，000 acres.The age-old trees and steles form a forest that makes visitors feel deep esteem and sublimity.
