vocabulary
Poetry
Ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm
Core concepts
Their relationship to human nature and the cosmos.
What is Confucianism?
Confucianism is a philosophy emphasizing social harmony
How did Buddhism arrive in China?
Buddhism arrived in China through the Silk Road, with monks and traders from India bringing the teachings.
Meritocracy
The civil service exam was the primary method for selecting officials
Civil
Relating to the citizens
Five relationships
Their role in social harmony.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
The Mandate of Heaven was a belief that the emperor's right to rule came from divine authority.
Why did Buddhism become popular in China?
Buddhism offered a path of peace and escape from suffering, appealing to people during a period of war and unrest
Confucianism
The exams heavily emphasized Confucian ideals
Neo-Confucianism
A philosophical
The four books
Doctrine of the Mean, Great Learning, Analects, and Mencius
What was the civil service exam?
The civil service exam was a way to select government officials
How did Chinese society adapt Buddhism?
Some Chinese embraced Buddhism's teachings while retaining their Confucian values.
Social Mobility
The civil service exam provided an avenue for upward mobility
Calligraphy
The artistics
Self-Cultivation
Emphasis on personal cultivation and moral development
How did emperors maintain control?
Emperors maintained control through a combination of military strength, legal systems, and propaganda, as well as by emphasizing the importance of the emperor's position as the Son of Heaven.
What factors contributed to the decline of Buddhism in China?
Imperial decrees shut down monasteries and confiscated resources, marking a significant decline in Buddhism's influence.
Specialized Departments
The bureaucracy included specialized departments responsible for various aspects of government
Steppes
Vast, treeless plains, especially an authoritarian one
Influence on East Asia
East Asian societies, including Korea, Japan, and the Ming dynasty.
What was the Great Wall of China built for?
The Great Wall was built to protect China from invasions, primarily from nomadic tribes in the north.
How did Buddhism influence China?
Buddhism significantly influenced Chinese society, art, literature, and philosophy, blending with native traditions like Confucianism and Taoism
Centralized Authority
The emperor remained the ultimate authority