Download What characteristics should our government officials

Name: __________________________________ 8-___
The Mandate of Heaven: Power/Right to Rule China
In China, there was a popular saying, "A man who steals a melon is a thief; a man who steals a kingdom is a
king." Write a reaction to this statement.
The Mandate of Heaven This idea, which began early in China's history, was the idea that the power of
the ruler came from the high God of Heaven who watched over his descendants. The kings benefited from the
god's favor in good harvests and victories on the battlefield. This relationship allowed the kings to confer with
their immediate ancestors on the actions most pleasing to the high God of Heaven.
1. What was the Mandate of Heaven?
The Son of Heaven All power on the earth came from the "Son of Heaven." He was the only one with the
connections to ask for favors or to avert the disfavor of Heaven. A harmonious relationship of the king with the
celestial sphere assured the welfare of the country. Obedience to the king was the same as obedience to the gods
and their will.
2. In your own words, answer the following question: What assured the welfare of the country?
When a ruler was unworthy, however, the attitude of Heaven would make itself known to all in the form of
disasters on earth. Thus, the earth would shake, rivers would dry up, or floods would inundate the land. It is not
surprising that the seismograph was developed in China, for an earthquake—even a small one—would indicate
the king's rule was being commented on by the gods.
3. How did the gods show that they were unhappy with a ruler?
For as long as the ancient Chinese could remember, their rulers had been known as Sons of Heaven. Ancient
Chinese thinkers advised the emperors to rule by example. The ruler’s example was supposed to be good and
full of virtue (moral excellence). The most important virtue was to care about others. When an emperor was a
poor ruler, it was believed that natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and bad harvest followed. Then
society might become restless and the kingdom could fall into disorder. People also believed certain fixed and
similar laws governed both the cosmos and the earth. Only by following the laws of the cosmos in governing
his kingdom will a ruler be able to govern peacefully.
4. What was the most important virtue?
5. Why might a society become restless?
Directions: Read the poem and highlight the words you do not know.
Look those words up and write the definitions under the poem
A poem about the good ruler's characteristics:
He makes the sacrifices with utmost respect;
He serves his forefathers in the ancestral shrines;
He elevates and illuminates both filial and fraternal piety;
He displays what is unique in filial conduct.
So he honors the Mandate of Heaven.
He holds the ritual plow and tills himself;
He gathers the mulberry and tends the silk himself;
He breaks the grasslands and grows the cereals;
He opens ground and clears it away for adequate clothing and food.
So he honors his Earthly obligations.
He founds an Academy and village schools of learning;
He cultivates filial and fraternal piety, respect and deference;
He enlightens through instruction and conversation;
He inspires through ceremony and music.
So he honors Humanity.
—Tung Oung Xu (Han Dynasty)
Definitions:
Explain three things this poem is saying about a good ruler’s characteristics.