Dong Zhongshu

Dong Zhongshu was a Chinese philosopher and politician during the Western Han dynasty (206 BCE - 9 CE). He is best known for integrating Confucianism with ideas from Daoism and Buddhism, significantly shaping Chinese thought. Dong advocated for the importance of moral governance and the harmony between humans and nature. He promoted the idea that rulers should lead by virtue to maintain social order. His work helped establish Confucianism as the state ideology, influencing Chinese culture, politics, and society for centuries. Dong's teachings emphasized ethics, a cosmic view of governance, and the role of the ruler in preserving harmony.