ABSTRACT
The Chinese/barbarian distinction is a topic in Chinese political philosophy. Across different eras its content does not remain unchanged. At the time of Confucius the main content of the debate on the Chinese/barbarian distinction was the set-up and sustainability of the dominant role of the Central Plains culture. After the arrival of Buddhism the debate was changed to one on “the Chinese/Indian distinction,” which was embodied as a dispute between Confucianism and Daoism in the process of their competition with Buddhism to become the national religion regarding their controversial essentiality and inherent superiority. The debate of this time was ended with the birth of the sinicized Chan/Zen Buddhism. The appearance of Song–Ming philosophy (song-ming lixue, 宋明理学) symbolized the fact that, after its absorption of foreign cultures, Chinese culture gave birth to its national spirit anew. After the Southern Song Dynasty the Mongol and the Manchu nations defeated the ruling classes of the Han nation. This chapter argues that although in everyday life there were always problems concerning national feeling, a debate on the Chinese/barbarian distinction did not emerge, for the conquerors had gradually applied Confucian doctrines as the governing programs.
