Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism

DBQ

        Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism are similar because Neo-Confucianism was based off Confucianism and they both focus around family, Confucianism’s focus was on the behaviors of someone’s everyday life, not the beliefs of religious deities or gods, while Neo-Confucianism focus is human moralities and the beliefs between Daoist and Buddhists, and Neo-Confucianism was formed due to the lack of confidence in Confucianism.

        Both Neo-Confucianism and Confucianism focused on the teachings of Confucius and disciples. They believed that family comes first and if you still had time, then you could study your education (Document 1). They both believed in filial petty (Document 6) which means to have respect for one’s parents, elders, or ancestors. They also believed in social Hierarchy, the five key relations of social Hierarchy are: ruler to subject, father to son, husband to wife, elder to younger, and friend to friend. In Neo-Confucianism and Confucianism, the highest authority in the land were from the emperor or king. Neo-Confucianism and Confucianism both used The Analects in some way, for example they would use quotes like,” whether I may have not mastered and practiced the instructions of my teacher.” (Document 5) Which shows how a follower of the religion would check on himself to make sure he is practicing all the beliefs correctly or they would use various quotes from Confucius himself, like, “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” (Document 7) This gives us an example of what quotes people would use to help them carry out their beliefs in these two religions.     

        Neo-Confucianism appeared in China around 770 and 840 C.E. Confucianism was influenced by Daoism and Buddhism, which created Neo-Confucianism. The ramifications of switching to Neo-Confucianism is that the economy was improved from Confucianism. Neo-Confucianism believed more in education then Confucianism did because Confucianism’s main focus was on family (Document 3).  The outlook on Confucianism beliefs were not good due to the fact that their beliefs were not helping their country. “Mencius replied, ‘Why must your majesty use that word “profit?” What I am provided with, are counsels to benevolence and righteousness, and these are my only topics.” (Document 4) This shows confusion between the king and his people during the time of Confucianism.