Classics, Examinations, and Confucianism

Abstract

This chapter deals with the Confucian tradition in East Asia and the role played by the Chinese classics in education and learning throughout East Asia and in the civil service examinations which were held in most neighbouring societies. The Chinese classics were by no means easy to understand, so commentarial traditions emerged in China at an early stage; the difficulties were compounded for those who spoke quite different languages, and there was tension between those who considered mastery of the Sinitic texts essential and those who considered the messages they contained more important and who therefore tolerated vernacular approaches to them. In China this happened during the Mongol Yuan dynasty when Xu Heng produced explanations and translations in vernacular Chinese. In Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other societies vernacular approaches went hand in hand with engagement with the Sinitic originals.