Emperor and Buddhism

Author: Wang Zhiping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Since the introduction of Buddhism into China during the periods of the Western and Eastern Han dynasties, the relationship between ancient Chinese emperors and Buddhism has been extraordinary. For example, Emperor Wu of the Southern Qi Dynasty was deeply devoted to Buddhism and even renounced his throne four times to become a monk, preferring to be a Buddhist king rather than a ruler. Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty welcomed the sacred Buddhist relics from Famen Temple with great pomp. Emperor Yangdi of the Sui Dynasty was born in a nunnery and was raised by nuns. Empress Wu Zetian once practiced as a nun in the Ganyue Temple. And Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty was originally a monk. This book traces the historical development of Buddhism in ancient Chinese society as its main thread, using the relationship between emperors and Buddhism as a supporting point. Through a detailed analysis and narration of the specific interactions between emperors and Buddhism, it outlines the historical development of Buddhism in ancient Chinese society.