Ming Taizu was known for occasionally denouncing the strict confines of Confucianism. He attacked the foundation for its skepticism concerning supernatural aspects and religion. The emperor placed Confucianism alongside the concept of Buddhism as well as the worship of immortals termed as Daoism. None of them could be used solely since they all maintained order in the Chinese community. However, Taizu particularly suggested that Confucianism should not be utilized as a sole reading since it was too demanding. The Mongol’s ideologies are provided by William of Rubruck a missionary sent to the Mongols to convert the believers to Christians. He describes Mongols as people of religious tolerance who respected their great Lord Mangu Khan. They believed in a Supreme Being, who was above all others, but on earth, they were other Lords who according to them. This article provides a comparison between the concepts given by Ming Taizu and Mongol’s policy during the empires.
The two concepts (Taizu’s and Mongol’s) value religion. They term it as good since it provides social benefits. The Three Teachings provide that any belief that offers advantages to a human being should be considered as the Way to Heaven. Mongol’s also believed of a Being that lived beyond the skies, that is, the Greatest Lord, who can be said to live in Heaven. However, the Mongol’s policy was more of political since they viewed their rulers as smaller gods that depicted goodness. Hence, everything they said was deemed right. The Mongol’s policy was more politically advantageous to the leaders chosen to control the people. They obtained some form of respect that they could use as they wished. The idolatry practiced by the two religions allowed the people to do things at their own free will without considering their implications like in Christianity.
Bibliography
Ming, Taizu. Discussion of the Three Teachings. The Confucian Revival and Neo-Confucianism, 1959.
Rockhill W.W. William of Rubruck (1220-1293): The Journey of William of Rubruck. New York: Craus, 1967.
Xiu, Ouyang. Essay on Fundamentals. The Confucian Revival and Neo-Confucianism, 1959.
Polo, Marco. The Travels of Marco Polo. Asian Educational Services, 1994.
Huang, Siu-chi. Zhang Zai and the Unity of All Creation. The Confucian Revival and Neo- Confucianism, 1959.
