Chinese Schools of Thought
By: Janeza Calderon
Confucianism
The philosopher of Confucianism is Confucius. Their "motto" was that the government should lead the people by example. This meant that if the government wanted the people to do something, they would have to be an example. Confucius believed that education was an important aspect for all that they do and Fillial Piety. The five relationships were about an elder and an inferior person and how one is to obey the stronger one. Once COnfucius died, the quotes were put into a book called the Analects. These things were put into effect during the Han Dynasty but was later rejected due to the Qin.
Legalism
"The nature of man is evil; strict rules are needed for order." This was the quote that the philosopher Hanfeizi said when he thought of Legalism. Hanfeizi's view of people was that we were all evil and we had to be beaten in order to "obtain" good. He created harsh punishment for all who did not follow the strict laws that were put into place. Hanfeizi believed that we were all greedy to the point that we would cause problems if not punished.Therefore, they were all forced to build the Great Wall of China and if they did not finish their duties, punishment was not very far. As Confucianism was taken out in the Qin Dynasty, Legalism replaced it.
Taoism(Daoism)
"The best government governs the least." This is the quote that the philosopher Laozi said about how people should be governed. Laozi believed that we should all become one with nature and that we should all attain happiness. One of those ways of becoming happy is harmony with nature. He thought that nature is controlled by Yin and Yang, or opposite complementary forces.
Buddhism
Buddhism was started by Siddartha Gautama. He was once a prince who had everything and never saw the hardships of the world. He looked for enlightenment and found it under a Fig tree. This was done by hard meditation and shunning out the evil forces around him. Buddhism was diffused on the Silk Road where it also made it to Korea and Japan. Everyone's goal was to reach Nirvana,a union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth.