Confucianism

Examples of Confucianism in the following topics:

• The Song Dynasty

  • The Song Dynasty was highly influenced by Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism, which were reflected in their art.
  • Philosophers such as Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi reinvigorated Confucianism with new commentary, infused with Buddhist ideals, and emphasized a new organization of classic texts that brought out the core doctrine of Neo-Confucianism.
  • Neo-Confucianism was an attempt to create a more rationalist and secular form of Confucianism by rejecting superstitious and mystical elements of Taoism and Buddhism that had influenced Confucianism during and after the Han Dynasty.
  • Although his contemporary peers did not accept his writings, Zhu's commentary and emphasis upon the Confucian classics of the Four Books as an introductory corpus to Confucian learning formed the basis of the Neo-Confucian doctrine.
  • Discuss the significance of Neo-Confucianism and literature on the art of the Song dynasty.

• Philosophy and Art of the Han Dynasty

  • Spanning over four centuries, the Han Dynasty period is considered a golden age in Chinese history highly influenced by Confucianism.
  • However, the Han court under Emperor Wu gave Confucianism exclusive patronage.
  • Confucianism is Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucious (551–479 BCE).
  • At the core of Confucian ethics were the selected virtues of filial piety, harmonious relationships, ritual, and righteousness.
  • In 136 BCE, Emperor Wu abolished all academic chairs (boshi 博) not dealing with the Confucian Five Classics, and encouraged nominees for office to receive a Confucian-based education at the Imperial University that he established in 124 BCE.

• Chinese Philosophy

  • Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and Mohism all began during the Zhou Dynasty in the 6th century BCE, and had very strong influences on Chinese civilization.
  • Being a good and virtuous human in every ordinary situation was the goal of Confucianism.
  • Confucianism remained prevalent in China from the Han Dynasty in 202 BCE to the end of dynastic rule in 1911.
  • It was reformulated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) as Neo-Confucianism, and became the basis of imperial exams.
  • This opposed the ideas of Confucianism, which said that love should be greater for close relationships.

• The Literati

  • The scholar-officials were schooled in calligraphy and Confucian texts.
  • The scholar-officials carried out social welfare measures, taught in private schools, helped negotiate minor legal disputes, supervised community projects, maintained local law and order, conducted Confucian ceremonies, assisted in the government's collection of taxes, and preached Confucian moral teachings.
  • The entire premise of the scholarly meritocracy was based on mastery of the Confucian classics.
  • However, even though the examination-based bureaucracy's heavy emphasis on Confucian literature ensured that the most eloquent writers and erudite scholars achieved high positions, the system lacked formal safeguards against political corruption, besides the Confucian moral teachings tested by the examinations.
  • Moreover, the relatively low status of military professionals in Confucian society discouraged similar efficiency and meritocracy within the military.

• Chinese Influences in Vietnamese Art

  • Unlike the Champa art of southern and central Vietnam, the art of Northern Vietnam was strongly influenced by Chinese domination (2nd century BCE—10th century CE) and reflected Confucian and Mahayana Buddhist traditions.
  • Chinese-influenced philosophies such as Confucianism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Taoism left lasting impressions on Vietnamese culture and art, which continued to flourish between the 10th and 15th centuries after Chinese dominance had waned.
  • The Temple of Literature is a Confucian temple in Hanoi, built in 1070 and reconstructed between 1225—1400, that housed the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university.
  • Built in 1070, this Confucian temple is one of the greatest Vietnamese landmarks constructed during the Lý Dynasty.

• Joseon Ceramics

  • Joseon white porcelains became especially popular during this time and are characterized by unpretentious forms, understated decoration, and subtle use of color, reflecting the ideals of the Korean Confucian state.
  • The rise of white porcelain occurred as a result of Confucian influence and ideals, resulting in purer, less pretentious forms lacking artifice and complexity.
  • The rise of white porcelain occurred as a result of Confucian influence and ideals, resulting in purer, less pretentious forms lacking artifice and complexity.
  • Identify the Ming, Confucian, and Buddhist influences on pottery created during Korea's Joseon Dynasty

• Joseon Painting

  • The art of the Joseon period was influenced by both Confucianism and Buddhism and has left a substantial legacy on Korean art.
  • During this period, the influence of Confucianism superseded that of Buddhism.
  • Although the influence of Confucianism superseded that of Buddhism during the Joseon Dynasty, Buddhist art itself continued.

• Orthodox Confucian Painting under the Qing Dynasty

  • The early Qing Dynasty developed in two main strands, one of which was the Orthodox school of Confucian paintings.
  • High levels of literacy, prosperous cities, a successful publishing industry, and the Confucian emphasis on cultivation all fed a lively and creative set of cultural fields.
  • The Qing emperors were often skilled in painting and offered their patronage to Confucian culture.

• The Rise of the Han Dynasty

  • Confucianism was banned during the Qin, but resurrected during the Han.
  • The Han were more interested in the lives and well-being of their subjects, and they modified some of the harsher aspects of the earlier dynasty's rule with Confucian ideals of government.
  • Emperor Wu experimented with socialism, and made Confucianism the single official philosophy.
  • The Confucian classics were reassembled and transcribed.
  • The Confucian ideal of each person accepting his social position helped legitimize the state and made people more willing to accept its power.

• The Mongol Invasions

  • He sought the counsel of Chinese Buddhist and Confucian advisers.
  • Kublai built schools for Confucian scholars, issued paper money, revived Chinese rituals, and endorsed policies that stimulated agricultural and commercial growth.
  • However, Kublai rejected plans to revive the Confucian imperial examinations and divided Yuan society into three, later four, classes, with the Han Chinese occupying the lowest rank.
  • Khublai evoked his public image as a sage emperor by following the rituals of Confucian propriety and ancestor veneration, while simultaneously retaining his roots as a leader from the steppes.