Is Destiny Predetermined? Master Xiang Gu Buziqing Analyzes Confucius' Face

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States, many individuals excelled in physiognomy, but none was as renowned as Gu Buziqing. Known for his keen insight, Gu Buziqing's approach to face reading set him apart from his contemporaries. Famously, he once studied Confucius' face, leaving the remark "a dog of a bereaved family," a statement made during an indirect exchange between Zigong and Confucius.

One day, as Confucius was exiting the eastern gate of the State of Wei, Gu Buziqing's carriage approached. Confucius turned to his disciples and said, "Step aside, please; someone is coming. He'll want to read my face, so remember what he says."

At that moment, Gu Buziqing also instructed his disciples, "Step aside; a sage approaches."

Confucius disembarked and began to walk. Gu Buziqing observed him closely from the front for fifty steps, then followed him for another fifty steps. He then asked Zigong, "What does this person do?"

Zigong replied, "He is my teacher, the Confucius from the State of Lu that everyone talks about!"

Gu Buziqing responded, "Ah, the Confucius of Lu. I've heard of him for a long time."

Zigong inquired, "What is your opinion of my teacher's face reading?"

Gu Buziqing said, "He has the forehead of Emperor Yao, the eyes of Emperor Shun, the neck of Great Yu, and the mouth of Gao Yao. From the front, he looks majestic like a ruler; from behind, his high shoulders indicate strength, but his weak back suggests a disconnect with these four sages!"

Zigong sighed deeply.

Gu Buziqing then remarked, "Why are you concerned? Your teacher works tirelessly and speaks eloquently, not for personal gain. From a distance, he may appear as 'a dog of a bereaved family.' Why worry about that?"

Zigong relayed these observations to Confucius, who had no objections to Gu Buziqing's assessment but couldn't accept being described as "a dog of a bereaved family." Confucius commented, "How could I accept that?"

Zigong asked, "He mentioned that you're unafraid of hardship and don't seek personal gain, which I understand. But why is the term 'a dog of a bereaved family' something you cannot accept?"

For over two millennia, the tradition of honoring Confucius, "the Teacher for All Generations," has endured among the Chinese people, and the spirit and ethical teachings he embodied continue to flourish.

Gu Buziqing was remarkably adept at reading people. He saw in Confucius the semblance of an emperor, marked by an impressive presence, but noted the lack of an emperor's destiny due to his weak back, rendering his hard work inevitable. He had also heard of Confucius’s aspirations for a more virtuous world. Facing Confucius directly, he must have discerned Confucius' deep anxiety about societal decline, prompting him to reassure Confucius with the words "What are you worried about?" multiple times.

Confucius maintained humility and accepted his fate. In a tumultuous world, he held firm to his ideals of a better society, traveling tirelessly and enduring great hardships. By then, having faced many trials, Confucius understood clearly that restoring morality and reclaiming the ancient harmonious order was beyond the capability of a single person. Thus, he responded with humility.

Nonetheless, in both good times and bad, Confucius never lost hope in moral reform. Unable to achieve his aims within the political realm, he turned to teaching, nurturing new generations with ethical values to plant the seeds of hope for the future. Later generations praised Confucius as "the Teacher for All Generations," recognizing him as a moral beacon akin to an uncrowned king. This perspective aligns well with Gu Buziqing's understanding of Confucius's life—tirelessly working, eloquently advocating moral teachings, and possessing the stately presence of an uncrowned king.