What is the reason why Confucianism became orthodox?

1, which meets the needs of feudal society?

Confucianism continued to exist and develop in the long feudal society, and existed as feudal orthodoxy until the disintegration of feudal autocracy. The main reason is that Confucianism can meet the social needs at that time. ?

As far as the rulers are concerned, Confucianism is consistent with the rulers' desire to realize feudal unification and autocratic monarchy. Confucianism was revised by Mencius and Xunzi in the Han Dynasty and developed to Dong Zhongshu, trying to combine personnel politics with the operation of heaven.

At the same time, Confucius' thought of great unification combined with the legalist thought of monarchical centralization and advocated "integration with the emperor", which coincided with the political needs of feudal rulers, thus making Confucianism gradually become feudal orthodoxy.

2. Innovation ensures the vitality of Confucianism?

Confucianism has been a feudal orthodoxy since it was established in feudal society for more than two thousand years, which is inseparable from the continuous innovation of Confucianism by the representatives of Confucian school. ?

At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, Confucius, the founder of the Confucian school, advocated governing the country by courtesy. In the mid-Warring States period, Mencius inherited and developed Confucius' thoughts and attached importance to moral education. Although in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the pure "benevolent government" of Confucianism could not solve the problems at that time.

It has not been officially reused, but Mencius' development of Confucius' thought is worthy of recognition. In the late Warring States period, Xunzi, a representative of Confucianism, saw the great power and effect of legalism in the political reform movements in various countries, and incorporated the legalist thought of "legal system" into the Confucian ideological system.

Clearly put forward the idea of "long ceremony" and attaching importance to law. During the period of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty, Dong Zhongshu, the representative of Confucianism, finally established Confucianism as Confucian orthodoxy. ?

It was the innovative spirit of the representative figures of Confucianism that made Confucianism adapt to the needs of the society at that time through continuous exploration, thus ensuring its strong vitality and becoming a feudal orthodox thought until the disintegration of the feudal system. ?

3. Inherit and maintain the persistence of Confucianism?

Another important reason why Confucianism is enduring in feudal society is the continuous inheritance of Confucianism. Inheritance here mainly includes two aspects:

First of all, the successor of Confucian school inherited and developed Confucianism, from Confucius' founding of Confucian school to Mencius' inheritance and development of Confucius' thought.

Xunzi's continuous improvement and Dong Zhongshu's neo-Confucianism all reflect this inheritance. Secondly, the rulers of past dynasties critically inherited the thoughts and laws of the previous dynasty.

China's feudal society of more than 2,000 years experienced many dynasty changes, and almost all the rulers chose not to abandon the ruling ideology and laws of the previous dynasty. This wise approach enables Confucianism to continue to be passed down as an orthodox ideology. ?

Extended data:

The development of Confucianism?

1, the depression period from the Spring and Autumn Period to the Early Han Dynasty?

Confucianism was born in the Spring and Autumn Period, and the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period were a period of melee, so the rule of propriety could not adapt to the social trend at that time, and Confucianism could not be taken seriously in the chaotic era at that time. ?

In the pre-Qin period, Li Kui entered the Qin Dynasty with the Fa Jing, and Qin Shihuang established the first centralized monarchy under the guidance of Legalism. Legalist thought became the dominant thought in this period, and the Qin Dynasty pushed legalist thought to the extreme.

Legislation adopts the strategy of severe punishment and strict law, and at the same time implements cultural autocracy On the basis of summing up Qin Ershi's death, the rulers in the early Han Dynasty realized the importance of benevolent government, and blindly harsh punishment would lead to the subversion of political power.

Therefore, the policy of recuperation was adopted in the early Han Dynasty, and Confucianism was paid more and more attention. Under the guidance of Huang Lao's thought of the unity of Confucianism, Taoism and law, he advocated quietism, forbidding law, sharing interest with the people, respecting the Lord and protecting the people.

Huang Lao's thoughts in this period absorbed Confucianism, which provided conditions for the later development of Confucianism. ?

2. The establishment and development period from Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty to Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties?

During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Dong Zhongshu's suggestion of "ousting a hundred schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone" was adopted. Confucian scholars could participate in etiquette and annotate existing laws, and gradually began to realize etiquette into the law.

Confucian scholars can participate in etiquette and annotate existing laws, and gradually begin to introduce etiquette into laws and inject Confucianism into laws that safeguard feudal rule. Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties is the second war period in China history.

However, this period is a period of great development and prosperity of China's historical thought. The feudal orthodox position of Confucianism has been continuously consolidated, and the ceremony has been further developed, such as the "Eight Opinions", which all reflect the position of Confucianism in the law. ?

3. The consolidation period from Sui and Tang Dynasties to Qing Dynasty?

The orthodox position of Confucianism was constantly improved in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, especially in the Tang Dynasty. The Tang dynasty was a prosperous period of feudal society, and its economy developed greatly compared with the previous dynasties. With the implementation of the enlightened policy in the Tang Dynasty.

There has also been a scene of great cultural prosperity. The Chinese legal system has been basically established, and the combination of etiquette and law in China's traditional legal culture has been continuously improved, reaching the highest level. ?

From the Tang Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, the rulers of the past dynasties inherited the laws of the previous dynasty, although they were modified, but Confucianism, as a feudal orthodoxy, was continuously inherited and consolidated. ?

Baidu Encyclopedia-Confucianism