Rú 儒

(often translated ‘Confucians’ or ‘erudites’). An intellectual tradition associated with Kǒngzǐ and his followers, characterised by its emphasis on ritual (lǐ), moral cultivation, social roles, and the authority of the ancient sage-kings. Mohist texts frequently portray the rú as their principal rivals, criticising their support for elaborate funerals, music, hereditary status, and appeals to antiquity. Unlike the Mohists the rú consideredritual and cultivated social distinctions as positive goods rather than unfortunate necessities. The term originally had a broader meaning than the modern word ‘Confucian’, and in early sources may refer both to followers of Kǒngzǐ and to ritual specialists more generally.