Ideological And Cultural Exchange Between Chu And Central Plains In The Eastern Zhou Dynasty

The Eastern Zhou Dynasty was the first peak period in the history of Chinese ideological and cultural development.As the North-South representative of Chinese culture,the ideological and cultural exchanges between Chu and the Central Plains during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty were of great significance to the development of pre-Qin history and culture.In the early and middle Spring and Autumn Period,the ideological and cultural exchanges between Chu and the Central Plains began under the background of the wars,alliances and exchanges between Chu and the central Plains.The flow of talents and the dissemination of cultural classics promote the development of Ideological and cultural exchanges,while the Chu people,who are both Tongxia dialects and belong to the same writing system with the Central Plains,provide a guarantee for ideological and cultural exchanges.In addition,as a diplomatic means,marriage also plays an important role in Ideological and cultural exchanges.During this period,the ideological and cultural exchanges mainly focused on the input of the Central Plains'ideology and culture to the Chu State.The Chu people constantly learned and absorbed the ideology and culture of the Central Plains in their contacts with the Central Plains.From the late Spring and Autumn Period to the early Warring States Period,the ideological and cultural exchanges between Chu and the Central Plains entered a new stage.During this period,the wars,alliances and exchanges between Chu and Central Plains countries were still going on,but the direct role played by Chu in Ideological and cultural exchanges was diminished.Confucius's arrival in Chu was the beginning of Confucianism's southward spread.The confrontation between Confucius and Ye Gongzigao,Chu Zhaowang,Laozi and others created a new situation of Ideological and cultural exchanges between Chu and the Central Plains.After Confucius,Zizhang,Zengzi,Yue Zhengzichun and Zigong spread Confucianism in Chu in the early Warring States Period.Their ideological characteristics are related to the political affairs of Confucius,reflecting the regional characteristics of Confucianism spread in Chu in the early Warring States Period.Fan Li had obvious Taoist ideological tendency.He brought Lao Tzu's thought into Qi for the first time.Fan Li's simple materialism and dialectics combined with Qi's authentic tradition laid a foundation for the emergence of Huang Lao's theory in the middle and late Warring States Period and opened a new situation for the development of Taoism.Mohist scholars in Chu area during this period included Mozi,Tingzhu and Meng Sheng.Mozi prevented Chu from attacking Zheng and Song,and introduced the idea of "non-offensive" into Chu;Tingzhu promoted the spread of Mohism in Chu through political activities;Meng Sheng led all Mohist disciples to adhere to Yangcheng and practise chivalrous ways,which was the best practice and dissemination of Mohist thought.Mohist scholars practice the doctrine of "words must be believed,actions must be fruitful" and spread Mohist thought in Chu,which is quite different from the main way of propagating Mohism in the middle and late Warring States Period.During this period,the ideological and cultural exchanges were no longer the one-way export of the Central Plains'ideology and culture to the Chu culture,and Taoist thoughts of the Chu State began to spread in the Central Plains.In the middle and late Warring States Period,the ideological and cultural exchanges between Chu and Central Plains were deepening.From the literature unearthed in Chu,Confucianism is the majority,reflecting the wider spread of Confucianism in Chu.The Confucianism of Taoist literature and the unearthing of Mohist,Legalist and other schools of literature reflect the cultural style of the coexistence of pluralism in Chu.Jixia Academic Palace,as an important place for the contention among hundreds of schools of thought,catalyzed the emergence of Huang Lao's learning.Huang Lao's learning,which combines Huang Di,Lao Tzu and other schools of thought,is the most direct proof of the ideological and cultural exchange and integration between Chu and the Central Plains.The inheritance of the principle spirit and the absorption of moral thoughts,the application of the history and culture of the Central Plains,the construction of the mythological system and the expression of thoughts and feelings in Chu Ci embody the all-round and multi-level learning and absorption of Chu culture to the Central Plains,which is another fruitful result of Ideological and cultural exchanges.During this period,the ideological and cultural exchanges between Chu and Central Plains were carried out on the basis of basic equivalence.More importantly,on the basis of exchanges,there has been further integration.During the Eastern Zhou Dynasty,the ideological and cultural exchanges between Chu and Central Plains under the background of the decline of official education and the rise of private education showed different characteristics in different periods.The trend of continuous exchange and even integration of ideology and culUire laid a foundation for the emergence of the unification of ideology and culture after the unification of Qin and Han Dynasties.