Han Wencheng Temple and Han Shanshui Academy

Author: Huang Ting
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: Lingnan culture is a distinctive, vibrant, and colorful regional culture within the Chinese nation's cultural landscape, and its development and utilization have garnered societal attention. While the exploration, organization, and research of the rich connotations of Lingnan culture have already been carried out in the "Lingnan Treasury," its positioning is academic, lacking a role in popularization. Moreover, due to limitations in editorial policy and format, it cannot encompass some specific and nuanced aspects of Lingnan culture. To build Guangdong into a cultural powerhouse, it is essential for the general public to first gain an understanding of the region's cultural heritage. Therefore, it is necessary to publish a series of popular readers to fulfill this task. The original intention behind publishing the "Lingnan Culture Knowledge Series" stems from this need. Thus, the series can be seen as a supplement and extension of the "Lingnan Treasury." The series adopts the form of popular literature, with broad and diverse topics, aiming for concise writing, rich illustrations, and a balance of knowledge and readability, making it a favorite among the public.
Hakka College holds a high status in the hearts of the people of Chaozhou, and its restoration would undoubtedly rally the support of the local population. Ding Ju's reconstruction of Hakka College, however, was primarily aimed at honoring Confucius. Wu Cheng's "Record of Hakka College in Chaozhou Road" states that during this revival, Ding Ju built the Confucian Hall on the original site of the Changli Temple in the old city of Chaozhou. The statue of Confucius faced east, with Yan Hui, Zengzi, Zisi, and Mencius flanking him on both sides. The temple dedicated to Han Yu was attached to the rear of the Confucian temple, and its statue also faced east.
Analyzing the specific situation of Chaozhou Road in the twenty-first year of the Zhiyuan era (1284), the turmoil had subsided slightly, and the region was only beginning to stabilize. Even if Ding Ju had the intention of developing education and nurturing talent, there would have been no need to build a college alongside the restoration of the temple and school, given the likely economic constraints of Chaozhou at the time. Therefore, Wu Cheng remarked, "The college has been restored, but its scale is narrow and inadequate, and its maintenance is lacking year after year."