Buddhism And Confucianism: Chinese Influence In Eastern Asia

By the fourth century AD, China had established itself as a prominent, powerful empire in Eastern Asia, and its neighboring countries, especially Japan, exhibited strong evidence of Chinese influence in their culture. Viewing itself as “The Middle Kingdom” or the center of the world, China believed itself and its culture superior to its non-Chinese neighbors, particularly the nomadic peoples to the North. Attempting to exhibit its dominance in Eastern Asia, China demanded non-Chinese authorities to perform ceremonies of respect and present tributes to the Chinese emperor in exchange for permission to trade in China as well as a more valuable gift given by the emperor. This tribute system strived to make the relationship clear between China

Originally, Japan was separated into individual territories controlled and regulated by clans, or groups that share a common ancestor. Although the majority of the Japanese people practiced Shintoism, each region honored local gods, goddesses, and deities. The lack of rituals and philosophy of the nature-oriented religion allowed for a large amount of interpretation further, dividing the people. Seeking legitimacy and the support of the people for his ruling family, Prince Shotoku Taishi, who lived from 572 to 622 AD, became one of the pioneers to integrate Confucianism into Japanese culture. To help model Japan after China, Shotoku sent monks, scholars, artists, and students to China to learn about the Chinese customs and then come back to Japan and apply what they learned. Shotoku’s ruling family united the aristocracy and eliminated otherwise powerful opposition by convincing the upper class elite and the educated that rule with Confucian influence would be wise and fair. To win over military families, he also emphasized the fact that with the Confucian philosophy, people of any social class could become part of the elite. As a result, most of Japan was ruled by a single family and local clans no longer fought for power. This more organized leadership allowed the people of Japan to identify more as one nation rather than separate states. Furthermore,

Prince Shotoku, who initiated the adoption of Confucianism and Buddhism practices, also incorporated Chinese government systems and ideas into Japan’s government. The Seventeen Article Constitution, Japan’s first constitution, was created by Shotoku in 604 AD and clearly showed the Chinese influence in a set of guidelines and rules written for court. These rules stressed the importance of wise and moral men ruling, government leaders obeying the orders of the only monarch, the emperor, and the importance of social harmony. Inspired by the Chinese organization of government, the constitution centralized Japan’s government under one authority and created a clearer chain of command between the army and the emperor. The new centralized government in Japan effectively brought stability to the nation and allowed culture to flourish. Additionally, Shotoku drew off of the Chinese tax system, law code, ministries, and the system of provincial administration to organize the Japanese government. To more closely imitate China, the capital cities of Nara and Heian were modeled after Chang’an, the capital of China. The Chinese civil service examination system was also introduced to Japan, but it was not effective and noble birth remained the key to receiving a high