Developments in East Asia

How the Song Dynasty maintained and justified its power

• Confucianism: Song rulers revived Confucianism, emphasizing hierarchical relationships in society and the practice of filial piety.

  • DEFINITION: A philosophy that taught human society is hierarchical by nature, society was composed of unequal relationships. (ex: father > sons, husbands > wife’s, rulers > subjects)

  • Filial piety: practice of honoring one’s ancestors and parents

  • Neo-Confucianism: influence of Buddhist and Daoist philosophical ideas

    • Note: the revival of Confucianism is a historical continuity between ancient China and the Song, also demonstrates innovation

• Imperial bureaucracy: The Song Dynasty relied on a large bureaucracy to ensure obedience to the emperor’s rule, with positions awarded based on merit through civil service exams.

Women in the Song Dynasty

• subordinate position in the hierarchy - forbidden to remarry if divorced

  • FOOT BINDING: women had trouble walking, made foot smaller than it started (more seen in elite societies)

Influence on neighboring states

• Korea: Maintained a tributary relationship with China, adopting aspects of Chinese culture (elite members), including Confucian principles and a similar civil service exam system.

• Japan: Voluntarily adopted cultural traits from China, such as the imperial bureaucracy and Buddhism.

  • used whatever they found useful in Chinese society and politics.

• Vietnam: Also maintained a tributary relationship with China, adopting Confucianism, Buddhism, and the civil service examination system, while women had a higher status compared to China.

Role of Buddhism in Chinese Society

• Buddhism spread to China, with different branches emerging, including Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism.

  • Theravada: original form, restricted to monks only for a select few

  • Mahayana: Buddhist teachings were available to all, emphasized compassion, made the Buddha into an object of devotion

  • Tibetan: emphasized more mystical practices (lying prostrate, elaborate imaginings of deities)

• Buddhism coexisted with Confucianism in Chinese society, with the Song Dynasty emphasizing more traditional Chinese ideas, but still acknowledging the significant role of Buddhism.

  • Four Noble Truths: 1) life is suffering, 2) we suffer because we crave, 3) we cease suffering when we cease craving, 4) the eightfold path leads to the cessation of suffering and craving

  • Eightfold path: principles and practices that a Buddhist must follow (moral lifestyle + practice of meditation)

Song Economy and Prosperity

• 1) Widespread commercialization: China produced excess goods and sold them on the world market, utilizing paper money and credit practices.

• 2) Iron and steel production: Both large-scale manufacturers and home-based artisans contributed to the production of iron and steel, used for warfare, trading, taxation, and agriculture.

• 3) Agricultural innovations: Introduction of Champa rice, a drought-resistant and high-yield crop, led to a population BOOM and increased agricultural output.

• 4) Transportation innovations: Expansion of the Grand Canal (travel cheaper), improvements in navigation with the magnetic compass, and advancements in shipbuilding techniques (Junk ships with rudders).