1. Confucianism & Governmentp

2. I. Confucian Ideas
A. Focused on ethics & proper behavior for individuals & governments
B. Everyone had a proper place in society and should behave appropriately.
Ren: Concern for others Li: appropriate behavior

3. II. Buddhist appeal
A. Disunion, Sui & early Tang dynasties Buddhism influential.
Offered spiritual escape from suffering
Wealthy gave money for temples
400AD – 845 AD = Age of Buddhism
Blended with other ideas over time (ie Confucianism or Daoism)

4. III. Neo-Confucianism A. Tang dynasty renewed interest in Confucianism
B. Neo – Confucianism still taught proper behavior. Also added emphasis of spiritual component
Became official
government teaching Zhu Xi
after Song dynasty Neo Confucian Scholar

5. IV. Scholar Officials
A. Bureaucracy – body of unelected gov. officials
B. Civil Service – work for gov.
C. Pass exams – written exams about Confucianism & related ideas. Difficult to pass (some spent 20 years studying)

6. D. Elite members: admired, respected, wealthy, reduced penalties for breaking law
E. Helped maintain stability of gov. with talented & intelligent scholar-officials