Scholars › Philosopher / Thinker
Zeng Xi
Disciple of Confucius named Dian, father of Zeng Shen, whose wish to bathe in the Yi and enjoy the breeze at the rain altar won the Master's approval.
A thatched pavilion open on three sides stands among tall bamboo; one person sits with their back turned at the veranda rail beside a zither and a stack of bamboo slips, while a stone path runs to a calm pond reflecting clouds and distant hills.
Also known as Zeng Dian · Zeng Dian (Shiji writing) · Zi Xi
Zeng Xi, personal name Dian, was a native of Lu, a disciple of Confucius and father of Zeng Shen. In the Analects passage where four disciples sit with the Master, Zilu, Ran You and Gongxi Hua each describe how they would govern; Zeng Xi, setting down his zither, says he would rather bathe in the Yi, enjoy the breeze at the rain altar and return home singing, and Confucius sighs that he is with Dian. Later Confucians held up his relaxed contentment as an ideal.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; late Spring and Autumn, a contemporary of Confucius