Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism Venn Diagram

1. Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism Venn Diagram Mrs. Tucker 7th Grade World History/Honors Cobalt Institute of Math and Science

2. Confucianism Neo-Confucianism • Created in 600 B.C.E. • Confucius and his followers believed that a good government depended on having wise leaders who ruled to benefit the people. The Civil Service Exams introduced by Han rulers were a product of Confucian ideas – these exams were supposed to recruit talented government officials • The Fall: when the Han Dynasty fell, no national government existed to give the civil service exams, therefore Confucianism lost much support and Buddhism began to grow. • Tang Dynasty gave much support to Neo-Confucianism, and later the Song Dynasty • Was created in part, to reduce Buddhism’s popularity • It taught that life in this world was just as important as the afterlife – followers were expected to take part in life and help others • This new form of Confucianism picked up on some Buddhist and Daoist beliefs • It became more than a system of rules for being good, it became a religion with beliefs about the spiritual world. • Taught if people followed Confucius’s teachings, they would find peace of mind and live in harmony with nature • Believed balance between man and nature • Became a way to strengthen the government

3. Similarities of both Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism • Patriarchal • Bureaucracy based on Civil Service Exams • Followed the Teachings of Confucius and Disciples • Emphasizes Traditions • Respects Elders • Keeps the Social Hierarchy