Key Terms
What is bureaucracy?
A body of unelected government officials.
Confucianism is based on the teachings of ______________.
Confucius
True or false. Were Confucius’ ideas widely accepted after his death?
False
True or false. To improve Chinese government and society, scholars and historians again became interested in Confucius’ teachings.
True
How could someone join the bureaucracy?
By passing civil service examinations
What is civil service?
Means service as a government official
True or false. Confucius lived more than 1,500 years before the Song Dynasty.
True
During what Dynasty did Confucianism become the official state philosophy?
Han Dynasty
When was Neo-Confucianism developed?
During and after the Song Dynasty
In preparation for civil service examinations, how long would students study for?
Years
What is a scholar official?
An educated member of the government
What did Confucius’s teachings focus on?
Ethics, or proper behavior, for individuals and governments
During what Dynasties did Buddhism become very influential?
During Sui and early Tang dynasties
What was Neo-Confucianism?
Philosophy that taught behavior and emphasized spiritual matters that incorporated Buddhist and Daoist concepts about the meaning of life.
To prevent cheating during the civil service exams, what had to be done?
Exams halls were locked and guarded
What is function?
Work or perform
What two principles did Confucius believe people should follow?
Ren- concern for others
Li- appropriate behavior
Why did many Chinese turn to Buddhism during the Period of Disunion?
For comfort during troubled times
How is Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism similar?
Both taught about proper behavior
Why would people want to become scholar officials?
Benefits included considerable respect and reduced penalities for breaking the law. Also they became wealthy.
What is incentive?
Something that leads people to follow a certain course of action
According to Confucius, when could order be maintained?
When people knew their place and behaved appropriately
Explain the difference between Confucianism and Buddhism.
Confucianism stressed ethical behavior whereas Buddhism stressed more spiritual outlook that promised escape from suffering.
Why do you think Neo-Confucianism appealed to many people?
Taught spiritual matters and concepts about the meaning of life
What were typical responsibilities of scholar officials?
Running government offices, maintaining roads, irrigation systems and other public works