The Protection and Limitation of Buddhism in Song Dynasty

After the establishment of Song,a Buddhism-abolishing movement that dated from Later Zhou was over and Buddhism developed rapidly.Many Buddhist works remarked alike Song-government policy to Buddhism as supporting and protective.This judgment was irrational and dogmatical.As a matter of fact,as Buddhism developed,the policies to examining Buddhist books and tonsure turned rigorous again since the sovereign of Ren emperor.In the matter of Buddhism policy,Song drew upon the experiences of preceding dynasty,tending to be more rational.While the Buddhism's utility to politics was expected to be developed,the population of monks and nuns was curbed.The Buddhism policy was constantly altered as situations varied.There were both supports and limitations,and constructive policies in general.