Borrowing Ideas to Better a Country

In order for the Japanese to maintain a stable, central government and social structure, they needed to adopt Confucian ideas from the Chinese to establish a political system, government, and social security.

The Japanese culture lacked a centralized government and control with their power. Japan borrowed Confucian ideas from China when it was at a high point in the country. Since the idea of Divine Mandate in Japan was believed that the Yamato family was a descendent from Amaterasu, the Yamato was trying to find a way to stabilize their way at the top. Japan did not believe in social mobility like the Chinese, however Japan did end up borrowing later on the idea of ruling with the best interest of the people. At first, many people from Japan only used Buddhism for self-gain, and it took a while for the emperors to stop resisting it because they did not want to move down in the hierarchy. However, Buddhist priests and monks were very tolerant toward the Japanese religion, Shinto; they even used their temples and shrines. The monks and priests were starting to become very strong which worried the emperor. Ultimately Japanese emperor did embrace Buddhism in their interest, politically, and to gain support. They agreed with any aspects that dealt with rulers and the state, used Buddhism to bolster their claims in the divine right, and the idea that kings should be ethical putting the state before the individual.

Therefore, to consolidate this type of power under the emperor rule, Shotoku decided to follow a more Chinese model. Shotoku, who was part of the Yamato family, was believed to be one of the earliest to be studying Buddhist for actual religion; not just for personal use to gain position or ware off. He develops general principals to reflect the outlook of Confucianism. He wanted the 17 article constitution to cause people to lay aside partisan differences and accept imperial rule so that social harmony could be achieved.

A way that Shotoku...