Preview

Chinese Maze Murders

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1734 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Chinese Maze Murders
The book The Chinese Maze Murders by Robert Van Gulik is written in a Confucian view point. Even though it is written from this view point it does not hesitate to establish other religious views as well. Such as how Judge Dee is indeed a Confucian man. Not an Ideal Confucian, but a Confucian nonetheless. Judge Dee is a strict prefect which is not so much a Confucian way of ruling, but a legalist way. He uses both Confucian and Legalist teachings in order to run Lan Fang effectively. Also, this book establishes other religions such as Buddhism and Daoism. Based on my knowledge of these two religions I really do not think Buddhism was represented as fairly as Daoism. I feel as though the representation was flawed due to the book being written within a Confucian point of view. Judge Dee is not only strict, but also understanding. He is smart and does not just act upon what is perceived to be the case. He studies each situation and listens to all stories before he makes his final deductions as to the truth and how he should judge. This is how he is represented in being an ideal Confucian man. When he asks Chiao Tai to bring him the leader of the robbers he asks him his reasons for doing what he did. The criminal asks Judge Dee why he would like to know, since he already knows he is guilty and is ready for Judge Dee to sentence him to death as is written by law. Judge Dee says, “I never sentence a criminal until I have heard his full story. Speak up and answer my questions!” (Page 24). This is an example of how Judge Dee is a good Confucian man. He is willing to wait and hear this man out before sentencing him to such a harsh punishment shows how fair and just he is. Confucian teachings speak of how to be fair to all and Judge Dee follows that very closely. Another example of how ideal of a Confucian man Judge Dee can be is when he gives those with just causes for wrong doings a second chance. He does this with the leader of the highway men, and with the few men that


Cited: Page The Chinese Maze Murders by Robert Van Gulik
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Buddhism in China DBQ
    • 621 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Buddhism in China DBQ

    Buddhism was first introduced to China in the first century C.E., a few centuries after it was first introduced in India. As expected, it was met with mixed results; some criticized it to the point of blaming it for the country’s social and political problems, some defended its beliefs and followed it without hesitation, and yet others remained pretty indifferent and wished to meld Buddhism with other religions and create a unique culture.…

    • 621 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    DBQ Buddhism in China
    • 657 Words
    • 3 Pages

    DBQ Buddhism in China

    Documents 1,2, 3, and 5 can be grouped together because they all point out the reasons to support Buddhism. The Buddah (who was the founder of Buddhism) discussed “The Four Noble Truths” and that all things in life are driven by sorrow and passion. Because he is the founder of the religion, he obviously supports the traditions. Zhi Dun, an influential Chinese scholar in document 2 states the pleasures of Buddhism and encourages everyone to strive to reach nirvana. At a stressful when the Asian steppe nomads are invading Zhi Dun could have easily declared Buddhism a foreign scheme, but he chose to promote it instead. Because the government structure was weakening and everything the people were used to was falling apart they chose to turn to the new promising ways of Buddhism. Document 3 is similar in the fact that it is also written by a scholar. It also supports the ways of Buddhism and does it in an efficient logic based way. By answering direct criticism of its traditions the scholar comes across more persuasive to the people who have not yet decided whether they will support Buddhism or not. Document 3 proves that Buddhism will conflict with Confucianism because of its focus on each person individually. The “5 relationships of Confucianism” conflict with the self focus of Buddhism and this document takes the Buddhist side. Document 5 is a little different because although it supports Buddhism, it does not come out and say that Confucianism is wrong. By saying “all three teachings lead to the creation of…

    • 657 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    DBQ- Spread of Buddhism in Han China
    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages

    DBQ- Spread of Buddhism in Han China

    In documents two and five, a more positive light is shone on Buddhism. Buddhism spread in China because it gave a hope to people who only saw the sorrows of life. Also, Buddhism brought along some order in the chaos that China was in during this time. China was in an uproar during the “age of warring states”. This time brought lots of sorrow, and the need for a hope that Buddhism brought. Buddhism gave the people something to work towards.…

    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    AP DBQ
    • 792 Words
    • 2 Pages

    AP DBQ

    When Buddhism first came to China they started gaining followers. They started to believe in Buddhism because either they didn’t follow a religion or they didn’t want to follow their previous religion anymore. The religion gradually gained converts. Article 2 states that whosoever serves the Buddha and correctly observes the commandments … will at the end of his life will behold the Buddha and be enlightened in his spirit, will then enter Nirvana. This is stated in Document Two by Zhi Dun, a Chinese scholar and author. He was confident of the Chinese aristocrats and high officials during the period when northern China was invaded by central Asian steppe nomads in Circa 350 C.E. In some cases some ancient Chinese questioned the religion of Buddhism. Article 3 depicts just that. It states two questions and two answers. One of the questions asked by a Chinese scholar was this “If Buddhism is the greatest and most venerable of ways, why did the great sages of the past and Confucius not practice it? In the Confucian Classics no one mentions it. Why, then, do you love the Way of the Buddha and rejoice in outlandish arts? Can the writings of the Buddha exceed the Classics and commentaries and beautify the accomplishments of the sages? His answer that the scholar received was this. “All written works need not necessarily book the words of Confucius. To compare the sages to the Buddha would be like comparing a white deer to a unicorn, or a swallow to a phoenix. The…

    • 792 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    dbq buddhism in china
    • 1443 Words
    • 6 Pages

    dbq buddhism in china

    Group 2 - Confucians in China and the Tang dynasty didn’t like Buddhism - Doc 2, Doc 3, Doc 4, Doc 5…

    • 1443 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Spread of buddhism throughout china DBQ essay
    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Spread of buddhism throughout china DBQ essay

    The first point of view of the Chinese would be anti-Buddhism. This point of view was popular in that of Confucian Scholars and officials at the Tang imperial court. According to document‘s 3, 4, 6 Buddhism wasn’t religion that one should practice. In Document 3 an anonymous Chinese scholar asks readers , “ If Buddhism is the greatest and most venerable of ways , why did the great sages of the past and Confucius not practice it?” The Chinese scholar is saying that if Buddhism is so great why did Confucius or Laozi, the great sage of Daoism not practice Buddhism. This implies that Buddhism wasn’t that great of a religion after all. The Chinese Scholars claims are biased. He writes strictly about the bad things about Buddhism. It is one sided and only answers with what he believes are failings of Buddhism. According to document 4 Confucian Scholar and Tang official believes that Buddhism is no more than a cult. He states,” … Buddhism is no more than a cult of the barbarian peoples spread to China.” The speaker is angered that Buddha was being honored by the ruler at the time (Your Majesty). Buddha was not of Chinese descent, he was foreign and doesn’t deserve for his body to be admitted to the palace. “ Confucius said : Respect Ghost and spirits, but keep them at a distance!”. The speaker expresses that he is ashamed of what Your Majesty is doing and…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    DBQ Spread of Buddhism
    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages

    DBQ Spread of Buddhism

    Buddhism came to China after the Han empire fell and helped some people keep their lives together. For example, Zhi Dun, a chinese scholar, talked about how many chinese served the buddha and followed his commandments as he would want them too. These words coming from a chinese scholar could have changed the minds of some people who wanted to follow the traditional ways. This scholar talked greatly about the Buddha most likely to win the hearts of chinese people and the Buddhist monks (Doc. 2). Continuing with the Buddha’s commandments. They were actually called The Four Noble Truths. The were first taught in India during the Fifth century B.C.E. The Four Noble Truths are a sort of guideline for people practicing Buddhism. They should you a way how to live and achieve Nirvana. Some chinese needed that guidance during the time (Doc. 1). The guidance also brought a new look to the world for many. While a scholar talked about how even though Confucian didn’t acknowledge Buddhism it didn’t mean that it was false. It was a question answer where the questioner challenged Buddhism. The answerer was intelligent and has very good answers that supported Buddhism. The scholar must have been a follower of Buddhism and wanted to help spread his beliefs for others to enjoy (Doc. 3). While this scholar attacked confucianism in an indirect way, Zong Mi, a Buddhist scholar, explained that no one was wrong. Confucius, Laozi, and Buddha…

    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Compare and Contrast: Effects of Mongols
    • 824 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Compare and Contrast: Effects of Mongols

    During this time of instability, many of the aristocratic people and people of the lower classes had different views and ways they wanted to spread and or discourage Buddhism. As seen in documents 3 and 2, the people explain how they support the spread of Buddhism in China. Document 3 speaks about how people during this time are used to their old ways of living which are counter-acted when the acts of Buddhism come into play. The questions are always defied by simple answers that explain how you cannot compare Confucian ways to Buddhism ways because they both run separate ways. Also, since he is a Chinese scholar almost implies that he/she could in fact be a slight upper class bias to the point. In Document 2, this partiality is also seen when Zhi Dun, another Chinese scholar portrays Buddhism shown as a joyful, light that will bring happiness to one who is interested in joining the religion. Zhi Dun, being a scholar also explains to the reader that his word does not tell how the lower classes felt during this time. During this time when China was being invaded by the early Asian steppe nomads, could have turned his back on Buddhism and declared it a distraction to the people, but that was not the case. During the time, Buddhism was a growing popular religion and was tested against Confucianism on multiple occasions. During this time, some people…

    • 824 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ap World 2204
    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Ap World 2204

    Documents 4 and 6 all discourage the spread of Buddhism in first century C. E. China. Document 4 ridicules Buddhism as “a cult of barbarian peoples,” citing Confucian sayings as the truth amongst Buddhist lies. Han Yu’s position in the imperial court certainly makes his ideas a standard in the state, yet the Emperor acts otherwise and the…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Pro Buddhism Dbq Essay
    • 624 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Pro Buddhism Dbq Essay

    So, many Chinese officials looked to preserve Confucianism and enforce it. They did not want to replace a faith, centuries old, by a new culture not even developed in China. Document 4, by a Confucian scholar, criticized Buddhism for developing from a barbarian man who was from a different nation. He supports his claim by stating that Buddhism knows nothing of the ancient Chinese kings and defies ancient Confucian beliefs. In Document 6, Tang emperor Wu also supports this claim. He mentions that Buddhism was never heard of before the Han dynasty. He puts down Buddhism by saying that it depletes China's precious resources and destroys the ancient Confucian…

    • 624 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Response To Buddhism Dbq Essay
    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Response To Buddhism Dbq Essay

    Although Chinese scholars and Buddhists embraced Buddhism into China as it gave a sense of equality and comfort, others essentially responded toward this religion with negative disapproval and was seen as a threat. However, Confucian scholars and Emperors evidently show a more fair minded response toward Buddhism.…

    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Spread Of Buddhism In China Dbq Analysis
    • 1058 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Spread Of Buddhism In China Dbq Analysis

    In Document 3 a Chinese scholar contradicts himself, his questions are against Buddhism but his answers are for. The questions are showing his arguments against Buddhism’s spread but the answers are giving the reasons why it should spread. It is almost like pros and cons. The last question in his first series asks: “Can the writings of the Buddha exceed the Classics and commentaries and beautify the accomplishments of the sages?” Then as an answer he compares Confucianism and Buddhism saying “To compare the sages to Buddha would be like comparing a white deer to a unicorn” obviously stating that Buddhism is the better of the two religions. So he must accept Buddhism’s spread but wouldn’t mind having Confucianism and Daoism as other religions in the country. In Document 5 Zong Mi, a Buddhist scholar, is for Buddhism but doesn’t disagree with the teachings of Confucianism or Daoism. He says that “Confucius, Laozi, and Buddha were all perfect sages,” which shows his tolerance for the other religions. He explains how these “sages” based their teachings on different people’s and the needs of the age. Zong Mi says “the sages” used different approaches to the peoples but they all encourage good deeds being perfected, the punishment of wicked deeds, and reward for good ones. He likes the idea of Buddhism but, like the Chinese scholar in Document 3, has no problem with other religions. They all kept order in the society at the time and should be respected in his…

    • 1058 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Spread Of Buddhism Dbq Essay
    • 452 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Spread Of Buddhism Dbq Essay

    along with Confucianism and Daoism, brought traits to the people to help form a more orderly government. This is proven in document five when it says, “Confucius, Laozi, and the Buddha were the perfect sages”. So the people that wrote documents five and six agreed with the spread of Buddhism in China yet did not disrespect other religions. Another piece of evidence in document six shows how they believed these three religions to help their government when it talks about what would happen if we didn’t have the help and order of these religions, “In destroying law and injuring human-kind indeed nothing suppresses this doctrine!”…

    • 452 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Buddhism Dbq Analysis
    • 380 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Buddhism Dbq Analysis

    to 907 C.E. was when scholars, leaders, and Confucian supporters addressed the impact, mainly the negatives, that Buddhism had on China. Being a Confucian scholar and official at the Tang imperial court, Han Yu very much discouraged the Buddhism beliefs. In the “Memorial on Buddhism,” in 819 C.E., he talked about how he thinks Buddhism is evil and he then brings up that fact that acts done by Buddhists, contrast with Confucius’ sayings. (Document 7) The Tang Emperor Wu himself also finds Buddhism to be evil and he believes it should be abolished, so that it does not continue to ruin the Chinese culture. (Document 6) However, a Buddhist scholar named Zong Mi pointed out that even though Confucius, Laozi, and the Buddha approach their followers and teach them differently, in the end all three beliefs have the same purpose. Zong Mi’s purpose was to address the issue with people saying Buddhism has a negative impact on the society in China, so he makes a statement that includes the two beliefs that originated in China to show that Buddhism, along with the others, should be shown with respect. (Document 5) Therefore, later on under the rule of the Tang Dynasty, it appears that Buddhism had made major impacts on China allowing officials to speak up about their…

    • 380 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Criminal Justice Vs Restorative Justice
    • 227 Words
    • 1 Page

    Criminal Justice Vs Restorative Justice

    According to Shapland (2011) Justice is defined as the quality of being righteous, fair; equitableness or moral correctness. Justice is a term that can be very tricky and many people have often and easily confused with or used interchangeably with the term fairness. In most circumstances, whether at your workplace, your school, your local pub, or in the courtroom, people want to believe that they always want to feel that they deserve and are owed to be treated fairly after being wronged. There are two different types of justice such as Restorative Justice and Retributive Justice. Restorative justice has recently become a very popular yet controversial topic. With it being such a controversial topic there have been a few key elements of the restorative justice program that have been at a longstanding debate. They key elements consist of weather restorative justice should be defined as a result or a process, whether the approach should contain some type of form of punishment, and lastly, whether the approach should contain some type or form of punishment, and lastly whether or not it should be considered as a replacement to the traditional criminal justice system or be integrated into it.…

    • 227 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics