거란의 통치사상 ― 유학을 중심으로 ―

Abstract

The Liao(遼) Dynasty(916~1125), established by Khitay, a nomadic tribe, was largely based on the military force. In search of a proper way to govern, Confucianism was spread by Khitan sovereign rulers. Confucianism had a considerable effect on maintaining the reign, expanding territory and stabilizing domestic situations. Research by Chinese scholars generally insist that China is an unified, multi-racial nation throughout history, and that era of Song-Liao had great contribution on the history of multi races. On such ‘union of races’ point of view, Hanhua(漢化), being assimilated into Han, is emphasized. Adopting Confucianism by Khitan is regarded as a process of Hanhua. This paper aims to study the cause of using Confucianism on ruling of Liao, on an objective view. It also tries to look into the adaptation process-on perspective of governor’s pursuing of Confucianism, education and state examination system, and civil reformation, respectively. Early rulers started taking the Confucianism, which had great advance in Sheng zong(聖宗) and Xing zong(興宗) period. In the days of Dao zong(道宗), Confucianism was fully flourished. Despite Liao Dynasty had embraced the Confucianism of Han zu, its sovereign ideology and policy had a shield to protect the traits of Khitan. It is seen on “Ruling by custom” policy, which is for protecting Khitan ethnicity, that Confucianism had been adopted independently. It is considered natural that adopting Chinese ideology and governing methods, since nomadic tribal system and philosophy is not sufficient to establish a dynasty and maintain its public order. Especially it is inevitable to rule the Han’s residence area. However, it is not proper to conclude that they are assimilated to Han tribe, which is discrete from recent Chinese literature.