WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -The civil service examination system was squarely based upon the Confucian classics and upon recognized commentaries on those classics.

Detailed explanation-2: -The civil service was an effort to establish a meritocracy. This means that people were promoted due to their “merit” or how well they scored on the exams and not based on their family or wealth. However, most of the officials came from wealthy and powerful families.

Detailed explanation-3: -Confucianism also became a big part of the educational system. So much so that officials had to master Confucian principles in order to pass the civil service exams for government employment. Because of this, Confucian ideas influenced Chinese government for centuries.

Detailed explanation-4: -There was a vigorous revival of Confucianism in the Song period. Confucian teachings were central to the civil service examination system, the identity of the scholar-official class, the family system, and political discourse. Confucianism had naturally changed over the centuries since the time of Confucius (ca.