Religions in Tang Dynasty

So as to win support from influential religious communities, the Tang government adopted a liberal attitude towards various religions. Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism as well as a number of foreign religions each attracted converts in this period.

Buddhism

Buddhism had been introduced to China via the Silk Road during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD). After five hundred years of peaks and troughs, it reached its height during the Tang Dynasty. Chang'an, the capital became the main center of Buddhist learning in East Asia. Monasteries and temples were built throughout the country in order to bring the teachings to the people. Some of the emperors adopted Buddhism as their religion. Due to its dominance during the Tang Dynasty, the influence of Buddhism can be seen in a variety of aspects of social life.

The expansion enjoyed by the faith resulted in an increase in temples and the numbers of monks. Shaolin Monastery, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China, amassed wealth and influence during the Tang and became a place of pilgrimage for both monks and laymen alike. In the capital, Chang'an (present day Xian), Daxingshan Temple, Straw Hut Temple, Xingjiao Si and Xiangji Temple still exist as witness to the glory of Buddhism during the Tang era.

The spread of Buddhism in China increased mutual understanding and links with other countries, promoting friendly relations and cultural exchanges. Many monks traveled into India. The Big White Goose Pagoda and Small White Goose Pagoda serve as reminders of these famous pioneers, such as Monk Xuanzang (602-664), who was a prominent Buddhist traveller and translator and Monk Yijing.

Xuanzang, concerned by the diversification of Buddhism at home, decided to go to India in order to study original texts and teachings. He left Chang'an in 629 to make his pilgrimage. After seventeen years of untold hardships and a journey of some 50,000 kilometers, Xuanzang returned to China bringing with him a large volume of Buddhist scriptures. He then spent twelve years at the Da Ci'en Temple translating the scriptures. The famous novel A Journey to the West is based on his true story.

Another famous monk worthy of mention is Jianzhen (688-763). He was invited to preach in Japan and finally arrived there after five abortive attempts to undertake the journey there. His statue is still enshrined in some Japanese temples to this day.

In the early and middle ninth century, large numbers of Japanese monks were sent to China to study Buddhism scriptures. Among the well-known "eight monks entering the Tang", six monks including Monk Konghai, the most famous one, once studied Buddhism in Qinglong Temple, which is now known as the ancestor temple of Tantra sect of Japan Buddhism.

Taoism (Daoism)

The Tang brought great vitality to Taoism. With the exception of Wu Zetian, all the emperors from the first period of the dynasty embraced Taoism. The growth of this religion can be attributed to two factors. Firstly, the emperors shared the same surname Li with the founder of Taoism, Li Er. As a consequence, they considered themselves to be descendants of Li Er, thus affording a special position to Taoism. Secondly, the so-called "pills of immortality" made by the Taoists to some extent flattered the emperors' belief in their own divine incarnation.

During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, Taoism reached its peak. Taoist buildings were to be found all over the country. However, the faith spread mainly through the upper class and so had less influence when compared with Buddhism

Foreign Religions

Due to the presence of many foreign merchants, a number of foreign religions were introduced into Tang China. These included Nestorian Christianity, Manicheans, Zoroastrians, Judaism and Islam. However, none of these spread through the population in the way that Buddhism had in earlier times.

Nestorianism was a form of Christianity that had become established in Persia and other Middle Eastern countries. Due to Persia's links with China, it is understandable that Nestorianism should follow in the wake of Persian traders. Early in the Tang Dynasty, Nestorian preachers arrived in China. They preached in the Western Regions and in an area around Gansu Province. In 635 Aluoben, a missionary brought Nestorian scriptures to Chang'an. He was granted an audience with Emperor Taizong, who then granted him permission to teach in the capital city. The Popular Stele of Daqin Nestorianism, which is housed in the Forest of Stone Steles Museum in Xian, marked the opening of a Nestorian church and the spread of this form of religion during the Tang Dynasty.

The other major foreign religion to be introduced at this time was Huijiao. Known today as Islam, it was brought to China by the very many Moslems who came to trade with the empire from the Dashi (Arabian) countries. While most of the traders would return home with the goods they had purchased, some remained in China and set up in business. Consequently, mosques were built and the Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou is one of the earliest examples from that period.

The enlightened religious policy exercised by the Tang was welcomed by the many communities within the country and in turn this did much to help consolidate the rule of new dynasty.