Ancient China: The New Philosophy (天命)
In Ancient China, 1600 B.C.- 1046 B.C. the Shang Dynasty was the second dynasty to rise to power. Succeeding the Xia Dynasty who ruled China in 2700 B.C.- 1600 B.C. However a new power rose by 1046 B.C., The Zhou Dynasty. King Wu the first Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty led his people into war with the Shang Dynasty. By the time of the Battle of Muye, the Zhou overthrew the Shang.
Once the Zhou became the rulers of China, King Wu and his son sought legitimacy among the people of the Zhou. In order to accomplish their goals China turned away from worshiping Shangdi (Celestial Lord) moved to Tian (heaven). Through Tian, King Wu created a philosophical idea that would be passed down into legend,”The Mandate of Heaven.” It was first used as a sign to justify their conquest of the Shang and their rule. The Mandate of Heaven passed down from ruler to ruler and after the Zhou Dynasty met it’s own demise the process would continue centuries homecoming an important part of China’s history.
The Four Principles
1. The right to rule is granted by Tian (heaven). The ruler is bestowed with blessing and protection by heaven onto themselves.
2. There is one Heaven so their can only be one ruler.
3. Right to rule is based on virtues, the emperor must perform good deeds. The ruler must put what he wants and what the people want in harmony. Other deeds include treating and protecting others fairly, offering land, and bringing about peace.
4. The right to rule is not limited, it is passed on to the next dynasty or ruler. Through these four principles there is what is called, The Dynastic Cycle.
The Dynastic Cycle
There is a dynasty who is in possession of the Mandate of Heaven gains power and restores peace and order. Over time the dynasty and ruler will become corrupt, taxes will raise, there is poor protection and treatment, and start performing injustices. Their will be a decline in infrastructure in the dynasty. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, storms, along with drought and starvation will come about Uprising and invasions will eventually begin by either peasants or by another dynasty. Once the old dynasty falls the new dynasty will rise and the cycle will repeat.
Confucianism
The Mandate of Heaven is an important part of China’s history and culture and many belief that other philosophies may have contributed to its creation. A man named Confucius created Confucianism; a philosophy of behavior and thought on religion, philosophy, morality, and political science. Confucianism is a teaching of social and political development where harmony is obtained when people accepted their place in society. People have to become hard working, honest, and show concern for others, become virtuous. The philosophy was divided into 5 key points; 1. Ruler to subject, 2. Parent to child, 3. Husband to wife, 4. Elder to younger brother, 5. Friend to friend. Confucianism is a belief that rulers relied on to govern, it helped them obtain the Mandate of Heaven due to how it allows them to become virtuous leaders, showing concern for others.
Taoism
A second philosophy called, “Taoism,”created by philosopher Laozi is about spiritual harmony with oneself and nature while Confucianism is focuses on society. Taoism sees government as unnatural and causes many problems and conflict. In order to avoid such disaster, Taoists achieve harmony by focusing on the ways of the universe/nature. Taoism about focusing on oneself, they must advocate religious piety and humility while rejecting conflict and strife. Once a Taoist accepts this belief they must act in a positive and active attitude towards their deities. Due to how Taoism is about the more religious aspects of China, such as heaven and their deities, some claim that the Mandate of Heavens relationship with the metaphysical may have stemmed from this philosophy. Evidence of this belief include how the Mandate of Heaven is stated grant its ruler protection and blessing from heaven and their deities. If the ruler follows this path, the ruler will be able to hold Mandate of Heaven longer. They are pleasing their deities through positive and active worship while rejecting sin, conflict, and ambition.
Conclusion
The Mandate of Heaven is an important part of Ancient China’s history and beliefs. It helps China form a governmental and spiritual system, there can be only one ruler at a time. That ruler must be worthy by showing that he is a virtuous, spiritual, and compassionate leader. If he focuses on the spiritual and religious aspects while doing good for both him and others, he can gain respect from heaven. However the Mandate of Heaven goes through a cycle, if a dynasties ruler becomes corrupt the deities will loose respect, nature will be affected by natural disasters. The society will go into chaos and the dynasties ruler or even the dynasty itself will fall. A new dynasty will receive the Mandate of Heaven and the cycle begins again.
Despite the corruption, there are other philosophies and beliefs that can help China’s ruler to remain virtous. Following Taoism will help the emperor earn the favor of heaven and their gods. Confucianism increases ones relationship with society, it allows the ruler to increase his morality, becoming a virtuous man. Despite how these philosophies focus on different aspects, both appear to have inspired the ways of the Mandate of Heaven and its creation. One focuses on spirit, nature and religion while the other is on government. One is about oneself while the other is focused on society. No matter the difference both can allow the leader to be worthy of the Mandate of Heaven. Through out all of China’s beliefs and history, the Mandate of Heaven has become its most significant piece.
Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R8w2-zIApf_2Rj_iMMZ6DP2vDFGYCmNv8hd0O8heRw4/edit
Beliefs of Ancient China 
Leave a comment