Confucianism, Scholarly tradition and way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century bc and followed by the Chinese for more than two millennia. Though not organized as a religion, it has deeply influenced East Asian spiritual and political life in a comparable manner. The core idea is ren (“humaneness,” “benevolence”), signifying excellent character in accord with li (ritual norms), zhong (loyalty to one’s true nature), shu (reciprocity), and xiao (filial piety). Together these constitute de (virtue). Mencius, Xunzi, and others sustained Confucianism, but it was not influential until Dong Zhongshu emerged in the 2nd century bc. Confucianism was then recognized as the Han state cult, and the Five Classics became the core of education. In spite of the influence of Daoism and Buddhism, Confucian ethics have had the strongest influence on the moral fabric of Chinese society. A revival of Confucian thought in the 11th century produced Neo-Confucianism, a major influence in Korea during the Chosŏn dynasty and in Japan during the Tokugawa period.
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Han dynasty Summary
Han dynasty, the second great imperial dynasty of China (206 bce–220 ce), after the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 bce). It succeeded the Qin dynasty (221–207 bce). So thoroughly did the Han dynasty establish what was thereafter considered Chinese culture that “Han” became the Chinese word denoting someone
Wudi Summary
Wudi posthumous name (shi) of the autocratic Chinese emperor (141–87 bc) who vastly increased the authority of the Han dynasty (206 bc–ad 220) and extended Chinese influence abroad. He made Confucianism the state religion of China. Liu Che was probably the 11th son of the Jingdi emperor, the fifth
Wang Yangming Summary
Wang Yangming Chinese scholar-official whose idealistic interpretation of neo-Confucianism influenced philosophical thinking in East Asia for centuries. Though his career in government was rather unstable, his suppression of rebellions brought a century of peace to his region. His philosophical
ren Summary
Ren, the foundational virtue of Confucianism. It characterizes the bearing and behaviour that a paradigmatic human being exhibits in order to promote a flourishing human community. The concept of ren reflects presuppositions that are characteristic of Confucian philosophical anthropology