The Religion of the Han Dynasty

Confucianism

http://www.sacred-texts.com/cfu/

     The main religion of the Han Dynasty was Confucianism. Confucianism was founded by Confucius. It had five major core values. One core value was respect your ancestors. The elders were considered to know the most because they had lived the longest. The younger generations had to respect them and had to listen to their advice. Another core value was to strive for harmony and balance. No one was completely good or completely bad. This is shown in the Yin Yang, the picture above. The people had to strive to be the better person for their qualities. The people had to be in balance and harmony with other people and themselves. However, this did not mean that everyone was equal but they did have to let things work out the way that was intended. Another core value was always be considerate to others. They had to act according the people around them. They could not do things to another person without considering them. Avoid extremes in behavior and emotion is another core value. The people were not allowed to act out in any way. The final core value was if you live in peace and harmony, then you will be in contact wiht the spirtual forces of the universe.

     The religion effected daily life in the Han Dynasty in many ways. One way was that everyone had a role in society. Society was like a family. The family had many roles with a leader. They had to respect their leader at all times and follow under their laws and leadership. There were roles in society. The emperor was the absolute leader and had to be respected at all times. The Filial Piety was there system of organization in life. There were five roles that people were in. They were subject to ruler, father to son, husband to wife, older brother to younger brother, and friend to friend. They were expected to follow these role guide lines. Confucianism was both a religion and government for them. There were five basic virtues, kindness, righteousness, sobreity, wisdom, and trustworthiness. The main focus of the religion was on family and respecting the elder people in the society.  Conucius even said "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."All of this effected the daily life of the Han Dynasty.