01:840:211 Lecture Notes - Lecture 27: Mandate Of Heaven, Cinnabar, Citta
Document Summary
Heaven (tian): external alchemy: compounding and ingesting divine elixirs produced from mineral compounds like gold and cinnabar; the use of talismans and magical substances and formulae. Di was replaced by tian (, heaven ) as the highest deity in zhou dynasty. Kongzi believed in heaven ( tian ) and suggested that sociopolitical systems should reflect the cosmic order of the dao. Early zhou (and later chinese) rulers were styled as sons of heaven who ruled by the. Wordly power was authorized was legitimated by the mandate. Legitimate kingship is a result of the mandate of heaven. Messages of command intended to be read by spirits but not by ordinary mortals. Talismanic writing resembles chinese characters but is not chinese. Talismans could be inscribed on objects to empower them. Goodness, benevolence (ren ): having compassion for others. Righteousness (yi ): integrity, doing what is virtuous at all costs. Ritual/propriety (li ): expressing deference towards others and the socio-religious order through action.
