The Ming Dynasty [1368–1644] was a unique period in Chinese history. For most
of the period, the imperial state was relatively weak, and towards the end of the
Ming, the country fell into a very desperate situation. However, the Ming was also a
period when the whole society began to modernize at a high speed in a wide range
of aspects. Due to advances in productive technology, development of industry and
commerce, expansion of the scale of cities, and a continued rise in the class status of
city residents, the life of city residents became a central focus of attention for the
whole society. Of key importance is the imperial examination (keju 科举) system
of the Ming Dynasty, which promoted the influence of Neo-Confucianism in all
aspects of social life with an unprecedented depth and breadth. Since Buddhism and
Daoism were already in decline, they had no choice but to attempt to ride the
coattails of Confucianism in order to survive. Within Buddhism and Daoism
themselves, the tendency towards a syncretic unification of the Three Teachings
(sanjiao 三教 [i.e. Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism]) was very strong. All
of these trends influenced the situation of philosophy in the Ming Dynasty, giving it
a distinct quality different from that of earlier periods.