Han wu di

Essay by YananCollege, UndergraduateF, November 2014

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Yanan

History

Title: The reasons Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty will advocate and support Confucianism as orthodoxy of the country.

Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty is one of the most influential rulers of ancient China. During his reign (141-87 B.C) he expanded China's area and built connections with other west countries by securing the trade route known as the "Silk Road." He made the country centralized control by supporting Confucianism as orthodoxy of the country. He defeateded Xiongnu (ancient nomadic people beside China) through 3 main battles. He makes the history and is remembered for his great contributions. His posthumous title is Wu which means military power. His life is a legend.[1: Smith, Thomas Eric, Ph.D. (1993) "Ritual and the Shaping of Narrative: The Legend of the Han Emperor Wu, (Volumes I and II)." Dissertation Abstracts International 53 no.10: (April): 1. http://www.jstor.org/stable/211962. ]

In Emperor Wu's first years on the throne, he established Confucianism as the state cult.

One of the most important reason is doctrine of Confucianism. Confucius is a Philosopher of politics whose concern focuses on the good state. Toward this goal he offers a positive, constructive, decorous, and humanistic course. [2: Sebastian, De Grazia. Masters of Chinese Political Thought. New York: The Viking Press, 1973. 113][3: Sebastian, De Grazia. 113]

Firstly, Confucianism has positive influence to stability of a country. The master said: "Only the humane can love others and hate others." Humane is an important word which is used usually by Confucius. Humane represents the highest and most perfect human in Confucius' theory. The Master said, "Those who are without virtue cannot abide long either in a condition of poverty and hardship, or in a condition of enjoyment. The virtuous rest in virtue; the wise desire virtue." Those two sentences are from the same...