The history of Confucianism, like the river of the Chinese land, has a long history, full of twists and turns. It is part of Chinese culture and shapes the values and social structure of Chinese. Confucianism continues to develop and evolve, traversing thousands of years of history. But why has Confucianism endured in China? This is not a simple question, but requires us to carefully observe the evolution of Confucianism, dividing it into six important periods.
Qin Shi Huang's book burning to pit Confucianism was the first stage in the history of Confucianism. In 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang unified China, but also launched the famous "book burning and confucianism" incident in history. He ordered the burning of books on medicine, divination, poems, and books, and forbade the private possession of these books. Many Confucians tried to resist, but they were eventually arrested, and more than 460 people were killed. This incident seriously weakened the inheritance of Confucian culture, but Qin Shi Huang took this move because he tried to maintain social stability.
Emperor Wudi of Han's deposition of the hundred schools of thought and exclusive respect for Confucianism was the second important period in the history of Confucianism. In 202 BC, Liu Bang established the Western Han Dynasty, and during the reign of Emperor Wudi of Han, Confucianism was supported due to domestic struggles. At this time, Dong Zhongshu put forward the idea of "deposing a hundred schools of thought and respecting Confucianism", and Confucianism began to dominate. This decision was made to address internal contradictions, achieve unification and make the country more stable. This period emphasized Confucianism, but still maintained the Taoist idea of "rule by doing nothing".
The Three Kingdoms, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties period is the third period in the history of Confucianism, and it is also a period of metaphysics. During this chaotic period, the scholars felt their situation gradually declined, and they began to detach themselves from real life and explore metaphysical ideas. Confucianism merged with the Taoist idea of "nothingness" during this period, and the unity of Confucianism became the main trend, and even Confucianism and Buddhism. Confucianism during this period became more metaphysical and had a profound impact on society.
The Sui and Tang dynasties were the fourth period in the history of Confucianism, but at this time Confucianism began to "rigidize". Han Yue became the mainstay of this period, and he put forward the concept of "righteousness, sincerity, quality, knowledge, cultivation, unity of family, governance of the country, and peace in the world" in an attempt to revive Confucianism. However, internal problems in society and the rigidity of Confucianism during this period led to the decline of Confucianism.
The rise of Song Mingli was the fifth period in the history of Confucianism and the pinnacle of Confucianism. Zhu Xi is a representative of the science of science, he perfected and summarized the theories of his predecessors, and established the theory system. In the Ming Dynasty, Wang Yangming's study of mind appeared, bringing Confucianism to a new stage. Confucianism reached its peak during this period and had a far-reaching influence.
Finally, the Qing Dynasty period was the sixth period in the history of Confucianism, and Confucianism gradually went into decline. The rigidity and cultural arbitrariness of the Qing Dynasty made Confucianism unable to adapt to the needs of the times. The rise of Western powers further revealed the lag of Confucianism. During this period, Confucianism gradually declined and lost its former glory.
The historical evolution of Confucianism is like a magnificent epic, full of ups and downs and changes. Despite its past lows, the spirit and values of Confucianism remain at the core of Chinese culture. The history of Confucianism tells us that culture and thought evolve with the times, and that they need to adapt to new challenges and opportunities in order to continue to play their important role.