Han Yü (768–824), Chinese poet and essayist who, though his thoughts lacked philosophical depth, was the first to emphasize ‘correct transmission’ of the Way from the sage-emperors to Confucius and Mencius. His views later profoundly influenced Neo-Confucian philosophers in the Sung dynasty. He vigorously defended Confucianism against Buddhism and Taoism on cultural grounds: the monks and nuns were parasites on society. He also formulated a threefold theory on which human nature has superior, medium, and inferior grades. See also CONFU- CIANISM , CONFUCIUS , MENCIUS , NEO -CONFU – CIANISM , TAO – T ‘ UN. S.-h.L.