While Han Yu made great achievements in both politics and literature, his main contributions were in literature. He is the Tang dynasty famous litterateur, neo-classic movement leader, is also a significant influence on the idealist phylosophy of philosophers.
Background
Han Yu's father died when he was three years old. He was raised and educated by his brother, Han Hui. Han Yu moved to Guangdong with his brother, who had been demoted. After his brother passed away, Han Yu lived in Heyang with his sister-in-law and later moved to Xuancheng.
Career
Han Yu became an imperial inspector when he was 36 years old. When he was 50 years old Han Yu joined Fei Du as a major in his battle against the rebellion by Wu Yuanji in Huaixi, reinforcing his advocacy for the re-imposition of central control over the separatist provinces. After the rebellion in Huaixi was put down, Han Yu was made deputy minister of justice. However, when Han Yu submitted a petition against welcoming the Buddha’s relocs. He engaged the emperor who banished him from the capital to become inspector of Chaozhou. During the reign of Emperor Muzong, Han Yu was made chancellor of the imperial college as well as deputy minister of the military and of personnel.
Han Yu was accorded the rank of minister of ceremonies after his death.
Religion
Han's most important idea was that Confucianism is the sole legitimate teaching for human conduct, to the exclusion of Buddhism and Daoism.
Views
HanYu had established the three immortalities of confucianism,that is to say,he would realized immortality of virtue, immortality of merit and immortality of view,as his concept of life values in his early years.