Question

What is the role of Confucianism in the Qing dynasty

Answer 1

Confucianism in the Qing dynasty was crucial for reinforcing social order and maintaining moral standards through the teachings of Zhu Xi, promoting filial piety, and shaping bureaucratic governance. It provided ideological legitimacy and a framework for societal hierarchy and values, while the Qing rulers also embraced other religious practices such as Buddhism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The role of Confucianism during the Qing dynasty was multifaceted, in part serving as an ideological underpinning for the social, moral, and governing structures of the state. The Qing emperors, particularly Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong, recognized the importance of Confucian values for promoting social stability and reinforcing the moral fabric of society, notably through the teachings of Zhu Xi. Confucianism emphasized hierarchical roles such as the propriety of a prince as a prince and a father as a father, alongside filial piety and respect for authority, which were manifested in practices such as daily visits by Qianlong to his mother and the erection of memorial arches for 'chaste widows'.

Moreover, the civil service examinations during the Qing dynasty were based on Confucian texts, ensuring that the bureaucracy was staffed with officials educated in Confucian doctrine. This widespread adoption of Confucian principles, however, did not foreclose the patronage of other religious practices such as Buddhism. Despite the Qing emperors' ceremonial adherence to Confucianism, they were also great patrons of Buddhist temples, indicating a degree of religious and philosophical eclecticism.

Answer 2

Confucianism was a par of the everyday life in the Qing dynasty because the rulers adopted it as the state religion and venerated Confucius as the greatest saint in history of China. Even though the Qing dynasty ruled for 300 years, towards the end of their rule at the beginning of the 20th century, Confucianism was abandoned.