Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism Venn Diagram Mrs. Tucker 7th Grade World History/Honors Cobalt Institute of Math and Science

Confucianism Neo-Confucianism Created in 600 B.C.E. Confucius and his followers believed that a good government depended on having wise leaders who ruled to benefit the people. The Civil Service Exams introduced by Han rulers were a product of Confucian ideas – these exams were supposed to recruit talented government officials The Fall: when the Han Dynasty fell, no national government existed to give the civil service exams, therefore Confucianism lost much support and Buddhism began to grow. Tang Dynasty gave much support to Neo-Confucianism, and later the Song Dynasty Was created in part, to reduce Buddhism’s popularity It taught that life in this world was just as important as the afterlife – followers were expected to take part in life and help others This new form of Confucianism picked up on some Buddhist and Daoist beliefs It became more than a system of rules for being good, it became a religion with beliefs about the spiritual world. Taught if people followed Confucius’s teachings, they would find peace of mind and live in harmony with nature Believed balance between man and nature Became a way to strengthen the government

Similarities of both Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism Patriarchal Bureaucracy based on Civil Service Exams Followed the Teachings of Confucius and Disciples Emphasizes Traditions Respects Elders Keeps the Social Hierarchy