As a multicultural country, China has been injecting lasting vitality into Chinese civilization with a variety of academic ideas since the pre-Qin period. In the early days of the Western Han Dynasty, the influence of Huang Lao's doctrine could not be ignored, and Taoism dominated the imperial court for many years.
However, the long-term dominance of one school of thought and its monopoly on the spiritual territory poses a hidden danger to the long-term stability of the country. Historically, there have always been some outstanding figures who have broken the old situation and ushered in a new era with extraordinary means.
Among them, Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, was a great leader. In 141 BC, Emperor Jing of Han died, and Liu Che, who was only 7 years old, ascended the throne and became Emperor Wu of Han.
However, during the reign of the young emperor, the powerful ministers were in power, and Emperor Wu was in power, and even faced a life and death crisis. However, the will of heaven cannot be violated, and the heavens favored the Central Plains Dynasty, and Emperor Wu finally broke free from the shackles of the powerful ministers and took charge of the country himself.
Entering middle age, Emperor Wu began to examine the development trend of the country, and deeply felt that Huang Lao's thought could no longer meet the needs of the Han giant ship sailing towards the glorious era.
Only by using Confucianism to govern the country can we achieve the foundation of eternity. Emperor Wu's determination and wisdom laid a solid foundation for the prosperity and stability of the Han Dynasty.
2. Emperor Wu insisted on promoting Confucianism, and the exclusive respect became inevitable Emperor Wu firmly believed that Confucianism was the best choice to rule the Han family, so he took resolute action to promote Confucianism throughout the country.
The first measure is to popularize Confucianism in schools on a large scale, so that the whole people can have access to and understand Confucianism. To this end, he set up school palaces in all counties and counties, and invested a lot of financial and material resources in teaching, so that people from all walks of life had the opportunity to receive the influence of Confucianism.
Then, Emperor Wu introduced many Confucian scholars, such as Dong Zhongshu, into the imperial court and entrusted them with important tasks. In order to guide scholars to serve the country, Emperor Wu would hold a meeting of the White Tiger Temple every week to discuss national affairs with his ministers.
This allowed Confucianism to be truly integrated into the political theory of the Han Dynasty and became the guiding ideology for the actual management of the country. In addition, Emperor Wu issued an edict to burn heretical books throughout the country to completely remove ideological obstacles.
The impact of this action was enormous and caused widespread controversy. However, Emperor Wu's determination was firm and he quickly suppressed the opposition with an iron fist, making the momentum of Confucianism unstoppable.
In the face of Emperor Wu's stormy implementation of Confucianism, Mo, Fa, Taoism and other hundreds of schools of thought expressed their opposition one after another. They argue that Emperor Wu's actions not only suppressed academic freedom, but could also create an ideological deadlock.
Mo Zhai, a representative of the Mohist school, even stood up to openly oppose it, believing that advocating the ideology of the family violated academic freedom. In addition, Daoist scholars have also expressed strong dissatisfaction, arguing that Emperor Wu's actions are completely contrary to the Taoist concept of "rule by doing nothing".
Other schools of thought, such as the Legalists and the peasants, also raised their voices of opposition, causing opposition between the government and the opposition to rise one after another.
Emperor Wu was resolute, and the Confucian monopoly was unshaken. In the face of opposition, Emperor Wu did not flinch and promoted Confucianism with greater determination. He personally presided over the debate and argued with representatives of various schools.
The three strategies of the first king's rule are in**? If there is no benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and faith, how can we reflect the value and status of the country? Governing the country and leveling the world requires benevolence and righteousness, so benevolence and righteousness are fundamental! ”
Emperor Wu's sharp words and clear logic repeatedly broke through the arguments of the opponent in the debates, and succeeded in convincing many dissenting scholars to willingly accept the exclusive status of Confucianism.
The remaining diehards also chose to remain silent in the face of Emperor Wu's powerful political influence. Finally, Confucianism dominated the Han Dynasty thought market and became the highest representative of the state religion!
VI. The Profound Influence of Confucianism Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's policy of "deposing a hundred schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone" marked that Confucianism had officially become a mainstream in the history of Chinese thought.
This kind of policy has continued to this day, has been integrated into the blood of the Chinese nation, and has become the spiritual standard that we are accustomed to. For more than 2,000 years, the essence of Confucianism has permeated every aspect of our lives, exerting profound influences on our values, morals, and virtues.
Although the coexistence of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism shows that the Chinese nation is tolerant and broad, when we talk about the far-reaching mainstream values of China, Confucianism has become a backbone, providing nutrients for the tree of Chinese civilization.
Many of the virtues and moral norms in the bones of the Chinese can be attributed to the practical embodiment of the core ideas of Confucianism.
Among them, the most well-known are the five constants of benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, and faith advocated by Confucianism, as well as the ethical norms of filial piety of fathers and sons, brothers, friends, brothers, and brothers, husbands, and women.
These ethical norms construct the ethical order of traditional Chinese society from the country to the home, teaching people to observe etiquette and know how to be ashamed. Confucianism also advocates virtues such as respecting the elderly, drinking water and thinking about the source, and seeing the wise and thinking together, and these ideas have made Chinese instinctively know how to be grateful and act bravely for generations.
Although Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are known as the three pillars of Chinese culture, Confucianism is undoubtedly the most influential in shaping Chinese culture. Chinese civilization thrived under the nourishment of Confucianism, and thus gave birth to brilliant spiritual fruits.
The great Han Tianzi, the four seas are home", and the gentle and restrained and heroic temperament of the Chinese in their bones all have deep roots with Confucianism.
7. Intelligent Decision-Making History is the best place to test wise decisions, but it does not give a single answer. When we look back at Emperor Wu of Han's decision to exalt Confucianism, we cannot but admire his ingenuity and decisive actions.
At that time, the ideological market was chaotic and there were different opinions, but Emperor Wu resolutely chose his own position, persistently pursued his ideals, and carried out reform and rectification at any cost.
He was deeply aware that greater progress can only be achieved by changing his mind, and this insight and foresight is truly amazing.
The great cause of Han Wu was established under the impetus of that iron-hearted decision. Since then, Chinese civilization has gradually moved towards glory. After 2,000 years of baptism, the majesty of the cultural landscape comes from the original intention of the insignificant cultural change.
The influence of Confucianism in China far exceeded Emperor Wu's expectations, which is enough to prove that Emperor Wu's decision was a major event for the country! The development of history has once again proved that truly groundbreaking and great decisions often need to first resolve the immediate contradictions and focus on the long term.
ConclusionThe exclusive status of Confucianism has become an unshakable sun after more than 2,000 years. However, in the context of today's times, a single system and concept inevitably appear to be somewhat conservative and solidified.
In the face of the ever-changing new situation, how should we carry out innovation and reform to better inherit and carry forward the core spirit of Confucian culture? This requires all parties in society to think together and **.
Perhaps, just as Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty broke through the shackles, we also need someone to stand up and lead the ideological change, so that our Chinese civilization can remain alive in the fierce global competition.