Chinese history is rich with culture conjointly seasoned with value laden principles from a hybridization of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist schools of thought. Tracing back the lineage of influence or tracking the evolution of culture is at times an arduous task. Retrospective observance has afforded me a certain clarity in interpreting the past. With that being said, this paper is dedicated to the echoes of the past stipulated by the Confucian Scholar Dong Zhongshu. During the length of the paper I will analyze his thoughts on the mandate of heaven, connection between the state & body, and his expectations of rulership. Secondary to all of that is my attempt to demonstrate that Dong Zhongshu was no typical Confucian scholar. It will be …show more content…
Attributes also regulations for those in power derive from a cosmological power. Thus, meaning that the governing is theologically legitimized. Politically Dong Zhongshu is postulating that the ruler has the divine capability of sanctifying his own rule by self-declaration for being the heavenly chosen ruler. Fundamentally this interpretation serves as legitimization of rulership akin to absolutism in France during the 16th century. That same rationalization made it sacrilegious to rebel against the rulership because risking damnation of an eternal life. Politically this is a shrewd calculating move that resembles Machiavellian political theory. Philosophically it is just mere rhetoric with zero logic to support the argument. We can all come up with concepts or arguments for why things may come to be nevertheless if we do not have the data to reinforce said theory then the point is rather mute. Dong Zhongshu was clearly a highly articulate man so I do not question his intelligence. I merely question his motive as well as endgame. His justification is not philosophical though it is politically cunning in his use of fear tactics. “He resides in a hidden place and does not reveal his form and so is numinous” is a clear-cut example of this tactical thinking. That quote is to serve as an ambiguous justification on why the people can’t themselves witness the presence of the heavenly influence although are still
In China during 406-221 BCE, the battling states between the Zhou and the Han Dynasties? were in a state of governmental disorder. Although the era was in a disruptive state, it ushered in a cultural opening that left a long lasting imprint on the Chinese history. As a result, three major belief systems surfaced Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism in an attempt to achieve a sense of political order in a disorder period. There are distinctions in the way each of the belief systems approached the many problems that plagued the Chinese society. First, all of the founders were contemporaries in China. As well as considered philosophies, who studied the future, and sat out to focus on the present rather than the past. In contrast, Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism established various paths in search of an optimistic future for the success of China. Second, both Legalism and Confucianism developed a social belief system, but are considered a religion. However, both Legalism and Confucianism purpose was to create an orderly society in the hopes of prosperity. In contrast, Daoism does
resulted from the fall of the Han Empire in 220 C.E. gave Buddhism its foothold in Chinese
From 600 BCE to 600 CE, China experienced changes in its political system in terms of the dissimilar ruling styles of different leaders, the rule under Legalism, and the influence of philosophical thinking like Daoism. These changes, influenced by aspects of the world and its own region, shaped China into its Classical state. In contrast, the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, the civil service system, and the significance of unity through a strong central government remained constant throughout China’s Classical period. These continuities followed through, staying essentially the same as an important part of China’s identity.
Earlier this week we focused on ancient eastern China during the Han Dynasty and the east asian philosophies that arose during this time period. We reviewed three great asian philosophers, Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Buddha. In class we also picked from a list of quotes from these three philosophers a quote they said that really resonated with us and wrote a descriptive essay on it and shared it in class for extra credit.
Wu Zhao, the first female emperor of China, rose to power during the Tang Dynasty and her active role with Buddhism fabricated a perpetual impact in the Chinese society as a whole. There is no doubt that Buddhism and the Tang administration, under Wu’s reign, formed a symbiotic relationship with one another. She is considered to be one of the most prominent advocators of the religion during the era. Her efforts to spread of Buddhism and the monetary support help Buddhism to expand throughout the people significantly, which provide the religion another source of financial income to spread even further. Regardless of Empress Wu’s intention, she has furnished the religion in numerous ways, but what did she receive in return? This proposes
Pu, Muzhou. In Search of Personal Welfare: A View of Ancient Chinese Religion. Albany: State
Complied during the Warring States Period, the Daodejing is widely known as one of China’s famous philosophy literature. This text reflects the general lament of a civilization that has been worn down from war and seeks to find peace by teaching people how to live by “the Way”. From a war-torn perspective, the Daodejing deems war and government corruption as evil and traces them back to greedy and power-hungry motives. As a successor to Confucius, it still carries some of his ethics. Because of its mystical overtones, it has acquired a large variety of interpretations. Its main teaching is if a person does nothing, then peace will be restored; it is the concept of non-action or 无为。When a person does not try to interfere and allows things to
The term “Confucianism” is often regarded as a complex mechanism of social, political, moral as well as religious beliefs that have considerable influence especially upon the civilizations belonging to the East Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea along with Singapore and Vietnam. With reference to the observation made by Reid (1999), it can be viewed that a clear depiction about different principles and beliefs exists within the sphere of “Confucianism”. Therefore, the major purpose of this report is to briefly review of T. R. Reid’s book “Confucius Lives Next Door: What Leaving In The East Teaches Us About Living In the West” through concisely unfolding the experience of
practices. I must stress that this was not a formal or universal change in religion but a
One of the oldest philosophies in Chinese history is Confucianism. At the time of the warring states, Confucius wandered throughout China seeking a ruler who accepted the Confucian way. Since then, his ideas grew and are still relevant today. Throughout time other philosophers, Mengzi and Xunzi, have interpreted Confucius’ teachings and have long debated whether human nature is good or bad. I argue that human nature is not, as Mengzi believes, inherently good, instead, completely self-interested.
Buddhism and the “Extended” 18th Century in China: A Cultural Analysis of the Rise of Buddhist Governing Policies and the Anti-Patriarchal Modernism of Empress Wu’s Leadership in the Zhou/Tang Dynasty This cultural study will define the cultural aspects of Chinese history through the rise of Buddhist policies and anti-patriarchal modernism in the leadership of Empress Wu during the tang Dynasty. Wu’s leadership defines the increasingly powerful application of Buddhist governmental policies, which defied the traditional patriarchy of Confucian traditions. Empress Wu is an example of a unique cultural adaption of matriarchal power that was forged through Buddhist training Emperor Gaozong. These Buddhist governmental policies helped to provide
We have covered the general accounts of human nature found in Confucianism and Taoism in light of the historical backdrop of the Period of Warring States. Use your responses to the following general questions below as an opportunity to refer either to the Smith text and accompanying assigned scriptures(s), Smith video(s) on China, Confucianism, and Taoism, or any additional material covered in class. Look ahead to the next question on the chun tzu in order to plan on avoiding repetition of answers verbatim within each essay if there are areas of potential overlap.
Confucianism is regarded as one of the primary religions that have profoundly influenced Chinese beliefs and ideologies. While Kongzi, or Confucius, is the founder of Confucianism, he is not the only philosopher who has contributed to such a significant impact on China. Similarly, the Analects of Confucius is not the single text that represents Confucianism. In fact, during different time periods throughout the history, there are a number of eminent representatives of Confucian thoughts, such as Mengzi and Xunzi. Because Confucianism aims at eliminating chaos and maintaining order in a harmonious society , they all agree that the guidance and education of virtuous Confucian pioneers are of extreme importance to achieve this
Confucianism and Daoism are two influential schools of thoughts that have existed in ancient China around the 6th century BCE. The former, led by the politician and philosopher Confucius, proposed that humans live in society according to a set of predefined rules and that they transform society through political action. Whereas the latter, led by the philosopher Lao-Tzu, promoted the idea of inaction; people should go with the flow instead of taking action to control their lives and dominate their surroundings. Although, at first glance Daoism and Confucianism seem to be two opposing philosophies, a more in depth analysis of two of their key ideas –filial piety and education—reveals that they do share some similarities.
Adler, Joseph A. "Confucianism in China Today." 14 Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. .