Kong Yingda

Kong Yingda (孔穎達), a prominent Confucian scholar of the Sui and Tang dynasties, is renowned for his influence on Chinese education and Confucianism. Born in 574 to a family with a long line of officials linked to Confucian traditions, he studied under Liu Zhuo and later became a respected figure at court. During Emperor Yang's reign, his scholarly prowess earned him a high-ranking position despite facing嫉妒from established scholars who attempted unsuccessfully to assassinate him.

Under Emperor Taizong of Tang, Kong Yingda joined the prestigious "Eighteen Scholars," holding significant roles in the Imperial Academy and contributing to the official history of the Sui dynasty. In 637, he led a project to standardize Confucian classics, resulting in the Wujing Zhengyi (五經正義), which became the canonical interpretation and curriculum for imperial exams. Although criticized for its verbosity, the work was completed posthumously by Zhangsun Wuji and approved in 653.

Kong Yingda's legacy is marked by his role in shaping Confucian education and scholarship. His Wujing Zhengyi set the foundation for future official commentaries on the Five Classics, solidifying his status as one of history's most influential Confucian scholars. He also introduced the term "curriculum" (kecheng) in a commentary on the Classic of Poetry. Kong Yingda passed away in 648 and was honored with burial in Emperor Taizong's mausoleum, underscoring his enduring influence on Chinese culture and learning.