Creating Confucian Authority : : The Field of Ritual Learning in Early China to 9 CE.

• Superior document: Sinica Leidensia
• Author: Chard, Robert L.
• Place / Publishing House: Boston : : BRILL,, 2021.; ©2021.
• Year of Publication: 2021
• Language: English
• Series: Sinica Leidensia
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (231 pages)

"Ritual Learning was the engine that drove the cultural dominance of Confucianism. In early China, Confucian officials derive political influence from the sub-discipline of ritual. Imperial regimes establish legitimacy through their state religion, headed by cults to ancestors and to deities of Heaven and Earth. Ritual Learning allows Confucian-educated officials to assert control over these cults, and reshape dynastic legitimacy according to their own design, claimed to derive from the sage kings of antiquity. Confucianism is not just a philosophical and intellectual tradition. Through its ritual tradition, it has cultural and political power, like that of a religion, allowing it to perpetuate itself successfully over time, even in contemporary China"-- Provided by publisher.

Table of Contents

The golden age of ritual : the world of the Zuo zhuan, and the analects (Lun yu) on Confucius -- The ritual culture of the Ru : ritual learning in the Warring States and early Han -- The "victory" of ritual learning : Western Han -- Conclusion and final arguments.