Anyone who has studied Chinese history is very familiar with the civil service examinations. In order to obtain any position with the government, one had to pass the civil service exams, which tested one’s knowledge of the Confucian classics. There was the local entry level exam, the regional exam, and finally the imperial exam. The imperial exam was given here in Nanjing. The imperial exam lasted 7 days and nights, with students sleeping in the same space they took the exam.
Students would come from all over to take the exam, and each of them would go to the Confucian Temple to pray to do well on the exam. We visited the temple and the surrounding square today. Across the street from the temple is the river where scholars would float up and down with their servants while studying.
On the way out of the temple, I asked the professor about western conceptions of Daoism and Confucianism. Do we teach them correctly? Our concept of Confucianism is accurate, though modern Confucianist put more emphasis on being a gentleman, being a good citizen, etc. Daoism, it seems, we misunderstand. Daoism does include the idea of inaction, but our textbooks misinterpret that to mean “do nothing.” One should do something, be a productive member of society. What it means is that you have to recognize your place in the scheme of things – nature, the heavens, are all vastly bigger than you. You cannot change them, so do not try. Doing so will only bring frustration and unhappiness. Instead, look for peace by living harmoniously. Stress and disorder comes when you try to force things. A large percentage of modern Chinese are Daoists. American students also push to categorize Daoism and Confucianism. Are they religions or philosophies? For the Chinese, they are both.
Now Daoism makes much more sense! Thanks for clearing that up, I will be using this information in my classes this year.
Confucianism is truly the core of Chinese traditional culture and it has been dominating the Chinese people thoughts for thousands of years. If you studied Confucianism, you will understand why the Chinese people do things in the way they do.
Chengmei, I would love to discuss the Chinese philosophies with you when I get back to the states. It’s such a critical part of our lesson in world history, yet I’m afraid western culture has many misunderstandings.