The contents of Dong Zhongshu’s New Confucianism include

The contents of Dong Zhongshu’s New Confucianism include:

1. Induction between heaven and man: Dong Zhongshu believes that heaven and man are of the same kind and respond to each other. Human behavior affects changes in weather, and changes in weather affect human behavior. This idea provides a theoretical basis for the divine right of kings and further strengthens the legitimacy of monarchy.

2. Divine power of kings: Dong Zhongshu believes that the power of the monarch is granted by God, so the monarch governs the world on behalf of heaven. This idea emphasizes that the monarch's power is supreme and inviolable. At the same time, it also provides a theoretical basis for the ethical concepts of the Three Cardinal Principles and the Five Constant Virtues.

3. Depose hundreds of schools of thought and respect only Confucianism: Dong Zhongshu advocated rejecting other schools of thought and only respecting Confucianism. This thought made Confucianism orthodox and laid the foundation for the later imperial examination system.

4. Three cardinal guides and five constant principles: Dong Zhongshu proposed the ethical concept of three cardinal principles and five constant principles, that is, the king guides his ministers, the father guides his son, the husband guides his wife, and the five constant principles of benevolence, justice, propriety, wisdom, and trust. This concept emphasizes the hierarchy and responsibilities between king and minister, father and son, husband and wife, as well as the importance of moral norms.

The influence of Dong Zhongshu’s New Confucianism:

1. Consolidating centralized rule: Dong Zhongshu’s New Confucianism provided a theoretical basis for the centralized politics of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. The concepts of divine connection between heaven and man and the divine right of kings that he proposed enabled the monarch's power to be supported by gods, thereby enhancing the authority and stability of centralized power.

2. Confucianism became orthodox thought: The rise of Dong Zhongshu’s New Confucianism made Confucianism become the mainstream thought of Chinese traditional culture. His theories and thoughts have become an important part of China's political, cultural and social life, and have influenced the course of Chinese history.

3. Promoted the development of culture and education: Dong Zhongshu’s New Confucianism advocated the elimination of hundreds of schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone, making Confucian classics the main content of Chinese education. This education system laid the foundation for the later imperial examination system and promoted the development and popularization of cultural education.

4. It has had a profound impact on Chinese philosophy, literature and art: Dong Zhongshu’s Neo-Confucian thoughts and concepts have had a profound impact on Chinese philosophy, literature and art. For example, his concept of interaction between heaven and man has influenced Chinese literature and artistic creation, making Chinese literary works pay more attention to the harmonious relationship between man and nature.

5. It has had a profound impact on Chinese people’s moral concepts and behavioral norms: The ethical concepts such as the Three Cardinal Guidelines and Five Constant Virtues proposed by Dong Zhongshu’s New Confucianism have had a profound impact on Chinese people’s moral concepts and behavioral norms. These concepts are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and have become a code of conduct in Chinese society, affecting the thinking, culture and social behavior of the Chinese people.