Confucianisms in East Asia and Korea John Goulde Sweet Briar College August 2013
Confucianisms Teachings of Confucius 4 th Century BCE Ideology of Family Loyalty, Filial Piety, The Common Good Rule of Law/Loyalty to Kings and Queens Benevolent/Paternalist Government Worship and imitation of the Sage Kings-Benevolent and Paternalistic Government Replication of the Chou Dynasty Rituals and Customs Deference and respect for superiors, worship of Heaven, The Mandate of Heaven Hierarchical and male-centered ordering of society
Confucianisms Classical Confucianism 2 nd Century CE Reverence for Confucian Scriptures, Confucian Learning, and their use in recruitment of Persons of Merit for Government of state Worship of Ancestors, Confucius, Confucian Worthies Extension of the Mandate to Other Cultures and States Ritualization of Family and Civil Relations: Deference, Courtesy, Humility
Confucianisms Neo-Confucianism th Centuries CE Confucian Exclusivism- The Orthodox Way Adoption of Daoist Cosmology (Yin-yang, Five Phases) Correlation between the Nature of Things and the Nature of Humans Pursuit of Sagehood Adoption of Buddhist Psychology of the Mind: Cultivation of the Body, Rectification of the Mind through Study and Meditation Macrobiotics Silent Sitting Introspective Mind-Control Pure Poverty –Hermit- mindedness
Confucianisms Practical Learning 17 th -19 th Centuries CE Criticism of Speculative Neo- Confucianism Utilitarianism rather than Idealism Investigation of Things in themselves Historicist reinterpretation of the classical texts Logical Positivism and distrust of metaphysics Cultural Relativism recognized – Influence of Western Culture and Science
Classical Confucianism in Korea and Japan Korea Classical Confucianism in Three Kingdoms, Silla, and Koryo Kingdoms 1 st -14 th Centuries CE State Organization, rule of law, monarchy replaces clan rule Chinese literature, history, rituals adopted by ruling elites. Civil Service Examination System Foreign Relations under the Mandate of Heaven Ideology of Government and Family Relations Blending of the Three Traditions
Classical Confucianism in Korea and Japan Japan Han Learning including Buddhism, Daoism, and Shinto in Nara, Heian Periods 2 nd -16 th Centuries CE Tradition of Basic Worldly Ethics State Organization, rule of law, monarchy replaces clan rule . Chinese literature, history, rituals adopted by ruling elites Mandate of Heaven moved to Japan Ideology of Government and Family Relations
Neo-Confucianism in Korea and Japan Japan Neo-Confucian and Practical Learning in Edo Period 17 th -19 th Centuries National Studies and Classical Japanese Studies develop in response to Practical Learning Neo-Confucian Studies restricted to Samurai Class – later influence the lower and middle classes Daoism, Shinto, Buddhism dominate the religious landscape, Confucian dominates the ruling class
Neo-Confucianism in the Chosôn Kingdom Late Koryô period Confucian Erimeticism Mongol studies and the favoring of Koreans in Beijing {Datu} Importation of Neo-Confucian Writings through Study Abroad and Tribute Missions Disestablishment of Old Landed Elite by younger generation trained in Neo-Confucianism Phase One: Disestablishment of State sponsored Buddhist and Daoist institutions
Neo-Confucianism in the Chosôn Kingdom Development of the notion of Korea as the nation that preserves the Orthodox Way Enfoeffment of Yi Songgye’s Merit Subjects trained at the Revived Sunggyungwan (National Academy) Phase 2:Reforms of Kory ô Law incorporating Ming Code into Chosôn Law Phase 3: Restrictive Legislation for Daoists and Buddhist Appropriation of Buddhist lands and buildings for the building of local, regional schools or for salaries of bureaucrats
Continued Development of Scholar lineages and the regional and local academy ( s ôwon) Development of different interpretations of Zhu Xi’s metaphysics ( I & Ki Debates) Community Compacts to reinforce Neo-Confucian understanding of ritual, doctrine, education, etc. New Ethics for Women in Androcentric Society Factionalism and Purges in the Court