The Mandate of Heaven Based on the Teachings of Confucius

The Mandate of Heaven Based on the Teachings of Confucius

The Chinese concept of the "Mandate of Heaven," was based on the

teachings of Confucius and further enhanced a century later by a man

named Mencius. Mencius added to the Confucian teachings by addressing

human nature and the right to govern. Previously, China had been ruled

by two divergent schools of thought. One was "selfish" religion in how

you could obtain happiness in an unsettled world by living a simple

life in harmony with nature.

Confucius taught that the improvement of society was the

responsibility of the rules, and that the quality of government

depended on the ruler's moral character. Confucius based his teachings

on the "Golden Rule." Do unto others as you would have them do unto

you.

When Mencius came along, he added new dimensions to Confucian

thoughts. He believed that man was immediately good, and would lean

towards the good just as water runs downhill. Man could become corrupt

if he did not follow the path of goodness and picked up bad practices.

Mencius, and the "Mandate of Heaven," promoted the idea that good

rulers in China's past had been those who treated the people with

respect and kindness. Good rulers had based their dynasties on good

ethical principles. Thus, the citizens had been well cared for.

Mencius went father than Confucius by adding a new thought to the"

Mandate of Heaven." He believed that if a ruler was evil and did not

concern himself with the people's well-being, then people had the

right to rebel against the ruler, and even kill the rulers if

necessary.

Mencius declared that, "Heaven hears as the people hear; Heaven sees

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...d in China's history, such as Wang Mang, who was killed by

rebels in 23 C.E. and the later Han dynasty who had the peasant

revolting and rebelling.

The idea of a centralizing kingdom under the "Mandate of Heaven," was

always a purposeful and powerful force in China's past. As stated, the

people could rebel when their leader apparently lost the "Mandate of

Heaven," and unfortunate circumstances occurred. This turmoil of

satisfaction turned to dissatisfaction by the people, and lasted for

centuries. The "Mandate of Heaven," was the first official ruling that

allowed people the right to like or dislike their ruler. It also gave

them the right to conform or rebel. Therefore, the "Mandate of

Heaven," was a useful tool for the analysis of Chinese history. If

these events did not occure, China would not be what it is today.