WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Confucian teachings, such as respect (filial piety), generosity, truthfulness, diligence, industriousness, benevolence, and kindness were the exact qualities that Wudi was looking for in his government officials (benevolence – rule by setting a good example).

Detailed explanation-2: -Wudi also established Confucianism as the basis for correct official and individual conduct and for the educational curriculum. The reliance of the bureaucracy on members of a highly educated class grounded in Confucian writings and other classics defined China’s statecraft for many centuries.

Detailed explanation-3: -Confucianism became the dominant political philosophy during the Han Dynasty from 206 B.C.E. to 220 C.E. Because Confucian teachings were conservative and told people to maintain their role in social order, the philosophy was used by the state to keep the status quo from that time forward.

Detailed explanation-4: -However, despite establishing an autocratic and centralised state, Emperor Wu adopted the principles of Confucianism as the state philosophy and code of ethics for his empire and started a school to teach future administrators the Confucian classics.

Detailed explanation-5: -Confucianism is often characterized as a system of social and ethical philosophy rather than a religion. In fact, Confucianism built on an ancient religious foundation to establish the social values, institutions, and transcendent ideals of traditional Chinese society.