Bowing to the Sage: Confucius Veneration Ceremony in San Francisco's Chinese Diasporic Community (1982-Present)

This study explores the Confucius veneration ritual as a pivotal element of identity and tradition within San Francisco's Chinese diasporic community. The ceremony, a deeply-rooted tradition spanning over four decades, not only serves as a bridge between the past and present but also as a vehicle for navigating and expressing power dynamics within the diaspora and the broader society.

Background

Confucian rituals have long been instrumental in shaping the cultural fabric of Chinese communities. In San Francisco, the annual Confucius veneration ceremony represents a vital link to cultural heritage for the diasporic Chinese, persisting through waves of change and challenge. This ceremony transcends mere religious observance, encapsulating the struggle to maintain identity, the negotiation of power within a multicultural space, and the assertion of presence in a society far removed from the ancestral homeland.

Sources and Data:

The primary source for this study is the "Chronology of the World Confucian Veneration Movement" (CEFCI & ICU, 1984), a compendium of materials documenting the 1982 ceremony. Further data was garnered through extensive archival research, oral history interviews conducted in March 2023, and participant observation at the September 2023 ceremony. These sources provide a rich tapestry of historical context, cultural nuance, and real-time observations that ground the study in both historical significance and contemporary relevance.

Results and Discussion

This paper studies the history of the Confucius veneration ceremony in San Francisco since 1982. The 1982 Ceremony was initiated by a Chinese American leader, Sung Cheng-Chieh 宋正介, to promote the spread of Confucianism overseas and to address the cultural identity of the next generation of overseas Chinese. He used his political and business connections in the U.S. and Taiwan to gain the support of senior officials in the R.O.C., such as Chen Li-Fu 陈立夫, and the recognition of the U.S. government. With the extensive support of the academic, business, and general public in the U.S. and Taiwan, the Ceremony successfully raised funds to present a grand, beautiful, and solemn ritual in San Francisco that was highly consistent with the Confucius Temple in Taipei. The ceremony had a significant impact on the local Chinese community and eventually became a traditional event for the San Francisco Chinese community for 40 years, serving as an important platform for the performance of the power dynamic inside this community.

Through the observation of the 2023 Confucius veneration ceremony in San Francisco, identities such as Shandongese, Mandarin-speaking, pro-Taiwan, and Chinese-American are all performed in the ritual. On the one hand, they each have their way of displaying, but on the other hand, they also have limitations and crises. This forty-year tradition of Confucius veneration is evolving in response to these shifting power dynamics, and it is changing itself. The complexity of the ritual influenced by these power dynamics provides an excellent case for observing the reflexive relationship between rituals and power dynamics.

Despite the complexity of these power dynamics and the variability of the ritual's details, the core and iconic gesture of “bowing to the sage” seems to remain unchanged throughout. It repeatedly disciplines the bodies of each participant during the ceremony, although the “meaning” behind this discipline is likely to be different for each group. But in the moment of bowing to the sage, these groups undoubtedly reach a certain “communitas” - a sense of unity.

We can see that multiple social organizations in the Chinese community in San Francisco have formed a community of rituals centering the Confucius veneration ceremony. They do bow to the same Sage, and practice the same ritual, but they do not necessarily share the same belief. The long-lasting and persistent practice has proved the rituals value to serve as a platform for the continuing and renewing power dynamic among different groups within the Chinese diasporic community and beyond. This case study will help us to understand the diversity in forms of organizing spiritual practice in the United States and the world today. 

Conclusion

The sustained practice of venerating Confucius among the Chinese diaspora in San Francisco not only underscores the cultural resilience of this community but also exemplifies the adaptability of traditional rituals in modern society. It reflects a complex interplay of historical fidelity, cultural pride, and sociopolitical agency, suggesting that such ceremonies are more than mere preservations of the past—they are active, living expressions of community, identity, and power.

In conclusion, the Confucius veneration ceremony is a testament to the enduring legacy of Confucian traditions and their adaptability within the diaspora. It serves as a crucial medium for the expression of collective memory, a platform for power dynamics, and a marker of identity. As this study reveals, the ceremony is not simply a ritualistic relic but a dynamic, evolving tradition that continues to shape and be shaped by the Chinese diasporic community in San Francisco. Through the meticulous integration of historical documentation, field research, and theoretical frameworks, the significance of the Confucius veneration ceremony is illuminated, establishing its role as a critical vehicle for cultural transmission and adaptation among overseas Chinese.

Reference:

CEFCI & ICU (The Cultural and Educational Foundation of Confucius Institue, USA. And International Confucius University USA). Compiled. 1984. California: Meiguo Kongzi daxue Kongzi jiniantushu wenwuguan [美國孔子大學孔子紀念圖書文物館].