1.
GV SHRINE.
0.05

2.
MV RELIGIOUS OFFICIALS ENTER.
0.08

3.
MV WORSHIPPERS BOW TO ALTAR.
0.13

4.
SCU ONLOOKER.
0.14

5.
MV & CU CONFUCIANISTS ENTER SHRINE.
0.21

6.
GV MUSICIANS.
0.25

7.
LV DANCERS (2 SHOTS)
0.37

8.
SCU MUSICIANS.
0.39

9.
MV DITTO.
0.41

10.
SV DANCERS.
0.43

11.
SCU CONFUCIANIST READING.
0.46

12.
MV ONLOOKERS.
0.49

13.
MV INT. OFFERING OF WINE AND FOOD.
0.51

14.
SV DITTO.
0.57

15.
GV MUSICIANS.
1.00

16.
MV DITTO.
1.03

17.
MV & CU. MUSICIANS (2 SHOTS).
1.08

18.
SCU ONLOOKERS.
1.10

19.
MV DANCERS.
1.14

20.
GV SHRINE.
1.17



Initials DE/V/DL/ES DE/V/DL/KN



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A SPRING RITUAL ON THURSDAY MARKED THE 2515TH BIRTHDAY OF CONFUCIUS, THE CHINESE SAGE WHOSE TEACHING HAS EXERCISED A PROFOUND AND LASTING INFLUENCE ON THE LIFE OF KOREANS AND CHINESE FOR MANY CENTURIES.

THE ANNUAL CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE DAESUNG-JUN SHRINE AT THE SUNGKYUN KWAN UNIVERSITY IN SEOUL. THIS UNIVERSITY WAS FOUNDED IN 1398 FOR THE STUDY OF CONFUCIANISM AND IS NOW ONE OF THE MAJOR CONFUCIANIST UNIVERSITIED IN KOREA. THE SHRINE IS SPECIFICALLY DEDICATED TO CONFUCIUS,AND TO THIRTY-EIGHT OF HIS DISCIPLES.

THE CEREMONIES INCLUDED THE BURNING OF INCENSE, PRAYERS AND ANCIENT COURT MUSIC AND DANCING, WITH MUSICIANS AND DANCERS DRESSED IN PERIOD COSTUME. ALL THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE RITE WEAR COURT ROBES THAT HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES.

THE CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIVES FROM TAIWAN, FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

(CONFUCIUS -- PROBABLY THE BEST KNOWN OF ALL EASTERN PHILOSOPHERS -- LIVED BETWEEN 551 AND 479 B.C. HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO RELIEVING THE SUFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE. HE CALLED FOR REFORM OF GOVERNMENT SO THAT ATTENTION BE GIVEN TO THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE RATHER THAN THE PLEASURES OF THE RULERS.

HIS PHILOSOPHY -- UPON WHICH THE CONFUCIANIST RELIGION HAS BEEN BUILT -- WAS BASED ON HUMANITY. "VIRTUE IS TO LOVE MEN -- WISDOM IS TO UNDERSTAND MEN",HE SAID. HIS CONCEPT OF MANKIND AS ONE LARGE FAMILY HAS GIVEN RISE TO THE FAMILY UNIT BECOMING OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IN ALL CHINESE LIFE.)