Chinese Idiom: 千载难逢 (Qian Zai Nan Feng)
English Translation: A Once-in-a-Thousand-Years Opportunity
pīn yīn: qiān zǎi nán féng
Idiom Meaning: Refers to an extremely rare and precious opportunity that is hard to come by.
Historical Source: Han Yu’s Memorial on the Deification of Buddha’s Bone
Idiom Story:
Han Yu, a prominent scholar of the Tang Dynasty and a leader of the Classical Prose Movement, was born in the poor region of Heyang (modern-day Mengzhou, Henan). Despite his humble beginnings, he persevered in his studies and became a successful scholar. By the reign of Emperor Xianzong, he had risen to the position of Minister of Justice.
During Emperor Xianzong’s rule, the Tang Dynasty was experiencing a weakening of central authority following the An-Shi Rebellion. Although Emperor Xianzong made efforts to reform the government’s corruption and improve the state of affairs, he was also deeply invested in the pursuit of immortality. He placed great faith in Buddhism and sought the “Buddha’s Bone,” believed to be a relic of Shakyamuni Buddha, which had been brought to the capital and displayed publicly.
Han Yu, a staunch Confucian and critic of Buddhism, viewed these practices as superstitious and a waste of national resources. In his Memorial on the Deification of Buddha’s Bone, he criticized the emperor’s obsession with Buddhist relics, suggesting that emperors who believed in Buddhism often met untimely deaths. This harsh criticism infuriated Emperor Xianzong, who was considering severe punishment for Han Yu. Due to the intervention of influential friends, Han Yu was instead demoted to the position of Prefect of Chaozhou, a remote and unhealthy region far from the capital.
Facing this setback, Han Yu realized that he needed to adjust his approach if he wished to survive and potentially return to favor. Upon arriving in Chaozhou, he wrote a new memorial to the emperor, drastically changing his tone. He expressed deep remorse for his previous remarks, admitted to being “arrogant and ignorant,” and praised Emperor Xianzong’s achievements as a great reformer and a hero. He even suggested a grand ceremony to honor the emperor, describing it as a once-in-a-thousand-years event. He lamented his inability to participate due to his punishment and sought to appease the emperor with flattery and humble requests.
The phrase “千载难逢” (A Once-in-a-Thousand-Years Opportunity) was derived from Han Yu’s depiction of the grand ceremony as a rare opportunity. It has come to symbolize exceptionally rare and valuable chances that are seldom encountered.
