Of course, Li Shimin, as a generation of wise monarch, took religion as his starting point for his own rule.
For Taoism, because it is beneficial to the orthodoxy and sanctity of the imperial power in the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong spared no effort in advocating it.
As for Buddhism, while restraining Buddhism, he also deeply understood Buddhism, and even supported the doctrinal transformation of Buddhism to achieve the purpose of serving us. Therefore, during the Taizong period, Buddhism still developed.
In the Tang Dynasty, Laozi was revered as the ancestor and Taoism was regarded as the state religion, and measures were taken to greatly promote Taoism and improve the status of Taoist priests. Tang Gaozu stipulated that "the Taoist Buddha is small, and the old Buddha should be released first", while Emperor Taizong reiterated that "I am the origin, starting from the pillar", and collected the Taoist books that were hidden and esoteric in the Jin and Wei Dynasties, and spread the road. Tang Gaozong revered Lao Zi as "Emperor Tai Shang Xuan Yuan". Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty actively promoted the internal reform of Taoism, made Taoism think back to moderns of Huang Lao, and eliminated the color of witchcraft superstition of Tianshi Taoism. The development of Taoist justice will make Taoism return to Taoism again after deviating from Taoism. If Kou Qian-zhi's reform of Taoism is incomplete and thorough, then the period of Xuanzong in Tang Dynasty has basically been completed, Taoism has reached its peak, and the wind of worshipping Taoism in society has developed to the extreme. In the prosperous Tang Dynasty, there were a great number of scholars. Sun Simiao's Qian Jin Fang promoted the development of medicine, Li Chunfeng's Yi Si Zhan promoted the development of astronomy, Cheng Xuanying, Li Rong and Wang Xuan Lan's theory of heavy metaphysics developed the construction of Taoist theory, and Maoshan school masters Sima Chengzhen, Wu Yun and Du Guangting's theory of sitting and forgetting, Tian Yinzi, Xuan Gang and the theory of immortal learning. At this time, the Taoist schools merged with each other in theoretical teachings and magical instruments, with Shaoyang School in Zhongnanshan (the predecessor of Quanzhen Taoism) and Maoshan Sect as the mainstream of Taoism.
Tang Taizong, who has been baptized by countless wars, has always advocated martial arts and civil administration, and believes that Buddhism is not helpful for him to pacify the world at all. Like his father, Gaozu, in Li Shimin's eyes, becoming a monk is just one of the objects they can use to gain political power. However, Li Shimin was well aware of the power of Buddhism among the people. He tried to balance all forces while establishing the orthodox position of Confucianism and filial piety to Taoism, so he didn't want to anger the Buddhist community. Based on this point of view, Emperor Taizong immediately abolished Gaozu's edict to abolish Buddha after Xuanwumen's coup. In the early years of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong invited Bopo to translate the scriptures in Daxing Temple, which was not only an ornament for Buddhism, but also for the political purpose of the imperial court.
In 621 AD, when Li Shimin's army occupied Luoyang, Li Shimin ordered the palace of the Sui Dynasty to be demolished in order to express his indignation at the ruler's extravagance. At the same time, he ordered the closure of all Buddhist temples and Dojo supported by the royal family of Sui Dynasty in Luoyang, and all the monks and nuns except 6 famous monks and nuns were secularized.
four months after his accession to the throne, Emperor Taizong summoned Fu Yi, the imperial official, and gave him a fief in recognition of his prediction that he was a great power six months ago. During the conversation, Emperor Taizong asked Fu Yi why he didn't like the wonderful teachings of Buddhism. What Fu Yi said is the same old saying: "Buddha is a rebellious person in Hu, and he is arrogant in other places. China's deviant people talk about Zhuang and Lao Xuan, adorn them with magical words, and deceive the foolish and vulgar. It is not beneficial to the people, but harmful to the country. I am not ignorant, and I don't learn. " Emperor Taizong was quite impressed.
The Biography of Wisdom and Reality in Continued Biography of Monks states that in the first year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong sent Du Zhenglun, a calligrapher, to check the Buddhism, so as to clean up and avoid abuse. In the same year, the imperial edict said: those who have private monks will be sentenced to death. "Fa Xiang Zhuan" said that after three years of Zhenguan, the world was full of privacy, and those who didn't come out were beheaded, and they were afraid of this. Those who get headscarves follow the customs, and those who don't get headscarves become monks now. From this point of view, Emperor Taizong's control over Buddhism is still very strict.
Emperor Taizong's attitude towards Buddhism was more to suppress Buddhism than to abolish it. He showed by practical actions that the imperial court still protected Buddhism. In order to celebrate the first New Year after his accession to the throne, Emperor Taizong invited many eminent monks from the capital to the palace and held a seven-day Dharma Meeting in the second year of Zhenguan. At the same time, he decreed that there should be 1, monks and nuns, and changed the Xingsheng Temple to buddhist nun.
emperor Taizong was a great monarch. While cleaning up the evils of Buddhism, he began to understand Buddhism in depth. He pays attention to all kinds of knowledge on weekdays, and Buddhist classics are also the "classics of the country" on his desk. According to "On the Balance of Buddhism and Taoism", in the fifteenth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong personally came to Hongfu Temple to discuss Buddhism and Taoism with monks. He said: "Today, the Li family belongs to the country, and Li Lao is in the front; If Buddhism governs, then Buddhism will come to the top. " This is the first time that he has treated Buddhism equally. Perhaps it is just a political strategy. Emperor Taizong needs Buddhism to enlighten people's hearts, and he also knows that there are indeed some learned people in Buddhism who can serve the world. Shi Mingzhan is a great scholar who is connected with all three religions. Emperor Taizong attached great importance to him and once called him into the inner hall to talk. Shi Huicheng, etc., learned extensively both inside and outside, dabbled in the history of children, and was also accepted by Taizong.
coachable, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty, is well known all over the world. But in his heart, he always holds a principle and bottom line, which is to safeguard the authority of the royal family. Whoever crosses this boundary and contradicts his authority, he rebukes him mercilessly. Xiao Yu, a servant of Shangshu, was warned because he had been protecting the Buddha.