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THE CONFUCIAN REVIVAL AND NEO-CONFUCIANISM

Han Yu and the Confucian "Way"

• Han Yu (768-824): A crucial figure in Confucianism bridging the classical Zhou dynasty teachings and the Neo-Confucianists of the 11th century.

  • Reviver and transmitter of earlier Confucian traditions, while also being an innovative commentator.

• Social and Political Order: Sought to restore Confucian order in a society influenced by Buddhism and Daoism.

  • Critiques against these teachings are largely economic, social, and moral rather than philosophical.

• Literary Contributions: Known for his prose and poetry; invented a literary style called guwen ("the literature of antiquity") that reflected Zhou dynasty language, opposing the rigid forms tied to Buddhist culture.

• Practical Man of Action: Advocated for a strong centralized monarchy.

  • Example: In his "Poem on the Sagacious Virtue of Primal Harmony," he supported Emperor Xianzong's efforts to unify the Tang state.

• Political Disillusionment: His frustrations with the emperor's lack of commitment to Confucian ideals led to his exiled writing of the Memorial on the Bone of the Buddha in 819.

• Open to Certain Buddhist Practices: Acknowledged the practical value of Buddhist teaching methods, adapting them into Confucian practice in his Discourse on Teachers.

Essentials of the Moral Way

• Importance: "Essentials of the Moral Way" ("Yuandao") is pivotal in defining Chinese civilization

  • Engages in a discourse on civilization versus counterculture.

• Text Structure: Comprises a prologue defining terms and the historical decline of Confucianism, followed by critiques of Buddhist and Daoist monasticism.

  • Argument: Monks are considered nonproductive and socially disruptive, suggesting economic hardships.

• Key Concepts:

  • Ren (Humaneness) and Yi (Rightness) are fixed concepts critical to morality.

  • Dao (Way) and De (Inner Power) are relative, varying between contexts of goodness and evil.

  • Critique of Laozi's views on humaneness, asserting their limitations and misinterpretations.

  • Discussion of ancient societal frameworks versus his contemporary observations of societal degradation.

Political Undertones of Han Yu’s Teachings

• Historical Context: Link between ancient sages and social order in society i. Importance of Confucian virtues in maintaining societal structure.

  • Critique against Daoists and Buddists rejecting familial and societal hierarchies, advocating immorality.

• Social Classes: Observations of societal classes and their impacts on productivity and morality.

• Pedagogical Value: Emphasized the necessity of continual education and the selection of teachers based on their virtue and knowledge rather than societal status.

Poem on the Sagacious Virtue of Primal Harmony

• Supporting Centralized State: Posits the emperor as a father figure within a familial structure governing the state.

  • Reflects Han Yu's commitment to the Confucian restoration during Emperor Xianzong's reign.

• Literary Style: Employs heroic qualities reminiscent of earlier Confucian classics, integrating moral lessons within his narrative of governance.

• Themes: Highlights emperor's wisdom, justice, and responsibilities to the common people and contrasts this with the villainy of Liu Pi.

Discourse on Teachers

• Philosophical Shift: Advocated for a return to the original roles of teachers, emphasizing eternal learning and rejecting socially imposed hierarchies.

• Teaching's Essence: Critique of superficial education, stressing the importance of learning from genuine knowledge rather than mere clerical skills.

Memorial on the Bone of Buddha

• Critique of Buddhism: Describes it as a foreign cult, employing metaphors of infection and corruption of traditional Chinese values and governance.

• Call to Action: Urges the emperor to renounce Buddhism's influence, emphasizing the need to uphold Confucian teachings and societal order.

Emperor Wuzong's Edict on the Suppression of Buddhism

• Persecution for Practical Reasons: The edict served practical purposes: confiscation of wealth and secularization of monks for the state's benefit.

• Cultural Impact: This historical moment marked a significant reduction in Buddhism's influence, aligning religious practice with state authority and Confucian ideals.