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Course: Art of Asia > Unit 2
Lesson 1: A beginner's guide to Imperial China- Introduction to China
- Imperial China, an introduction
- Archaeology and the study of ancient China
- Discoveries in Chinese archaeology
- Buddhist Temples at Wutaishan
- Chinese calligraphy, an introduction
- Decoding Chinese calligraphy
- Appreciating Chinese calligraphy
- Ascending the Heron Tower written in cursive script
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Imperial China, an introduction
Imperial Chinese history is marked by the rise and fall of many dynasties and occasional periods of disunity, but overall the age was remarkably stable and marked by a sophisticated governing system that included the concept of a meritocracy. Each dynasty had its own distinct characteristics and in many eras encounters with foreign cultural and political influences through territorial expansion and waves of immigration also brought new stimulus to China. China was a highly literate society that greatly valued poetry and brush-written calligraphy, which along with painting, were called the Three Perfections, reflecting the esteemed position of the arts in Chinese life. Imperial China produced many technological advancements that have enriched the world, including paper and porcelain.
Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism
Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism were the dominant teachings or religions in Imperial China and most individuals combined all three in their daily lives. Each of these teachings is represented by paintings in The British Museum, most notably by The Admonitions Scroll after Gu Kaizhi (image above) and the cache of Buddhist scroll paintings from the eighth to tenth century that had been rolled up and sealed away in the eleventh century in Cave 17 at Dunhuang’s Caves of the Thousand Buddhas (discussed in this tutorial).
Want to join the conversation?
Did the three dominant teachings become a major cause for the rise and fall of the dynasties? f.e. In Europe the support of the church was at times crucial/disaterous for the monarchs(5 votes)
I am a Chinese, I can sure the answer of your question is NO, because the three teachings are not always exist in one times. They are a reflection of mind in a dynasty, but not a cause. It is a really complicated phenomenon, you can look more information.(8 votes)
Are the teachings of Confucianism still practiced in China?(5 votes)- Not really, Confucianism is not a basic subject anymore(at least not in the public schools nowadays.)students will learn a few thoughts of Confucianism in Chinese class. However , Chinese people’s life are influenced by Confucianism, actually they are living in Confucianism, you can find it everywhere (the way they think and talk ). For example , kids are told to be ‘a loving son/ duaghter’ or ‘Dutiful’ , most Chinese people would like to support their old parents. This is a thought of Confucianism.(4 votes)
- In the last paragarph "Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism", what is Daoism?(0 votes)
If I recall correctly, Daoism believes in a particular way of life, or 'The Way'. It may be somewhat related to Taoism, but I'm not sure.(1 vote)
In the last paragraph, is Confucianism,Daoism, and Buddhism beliefs or cultures?(2 votes)- As I understand it, these traditions are often seen as philosophies or moral and ethical guides for living one's life but can also, in some cases, be treated as religions.(2 votes)
what happened to the Qin in 259 to 210 b.c(1 vote)
Qin thrived and conquered Han, Zhao, Yan, Wei, Chu and Qi these six countries, united China in 221 BC. Qin Shi Huang died in 210 BC.(3 votes)
- How did Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism help make the transition from aristocracy to meritocracy?(1 vote)
In a Confucianist system, the aristocracy rules.
In a Daoist system, the clergy rule.
In a Buddhist system, the holy people rule.
BUT, whatever the religion (or irreligion), power messes them all up, so the powerful will use and abuse whatever religion or irreligion falls to hand to maintain their positions. "Meritocracy" is a disguise for "the rich can hire better tutors for their offspring, therefore insuring that the rich control things."(2 votes)
You may realise that Buddha was an indian but why do some Chinese believe in Buddha? Did Buddha travel to China to spread his beliefs or did an inhabitant of China travel to India and come back, telling the belief of Buddha to his peers? At my school, 1/8 of the students are Chinese and believe in Buddha, why?(2 votes)
People can be any religion regardless of their nationality or ethnicity, so I'm not sure what's so shocking about Chinese people practicing Buddhism. That belief system has a long history in China, starting in the first century. Scholars think the Silk Road and missionaries helped spread Buddhism outside of India. There's other theories about how the religion was introduced to China, but that one makes the most sense.(1 vote)
- Why did the british steal so much from other countries?(1 vote)
What does Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism teach? How has it changed the world? Do people today still listen to these teachings?(1 vote)- Just as the above article mentions that Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism were the dominant teachings or religions in Imperial China and most individuals combined all three in their daily lives. In fact ,Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism are not religons but kind of way of thinking or philosophy to Chinese people. Confucianism highlights benevolence, justice, rituals, integrity etc; Daoism believes in the "unity between human and nature" while Buddhism teaches its believers to be kind-hearted. The above three dominant teachings or ways of thinking have influenced China and other countries in east Asia a lot. To some extent, those three ideas are life philosphy to Chinese citizens, a kind of cultural gene, which cultivates Chinese people to be friendly, kind-hearted, hardworking, abiding by the law of nature, and wish for peaceful coexistence with other brilliant cultures on the planet.(1 vote)
