Research Into Religious Policies In The Northern Song Dynasty

Religion policy is an important part of the superstructure. In order to strengthen centralization of authority, the Northern Song Dynasty enacted accurate and careful religion policies, some of which even came into being institutions. Religion was administrated and ruled efficiently. In a macroscopic angle, this paper is divided into five parts to study every one of religion policies. Part One: Buddhism policies. The emperor of Zhou Shizong abolished Buddhism. Oppositely, the Northern Song Dynasty's governor advocated it. They admitted it developing properly; gave play to its functions of civilization and regulation. At the same time, in order to serve their domination better, they also controlled Buddhism into definite range, limited its passive effects.Part Two: Taoism policies. With their utmost strength, the governors of the Northern Song Dynasty took advantage of Taoism to safeguard their domination. The Taoism policies were divided into four periods: foundation, maturity, adjustment, and maladjustment. During the dynasties of Zhenzong and Huizong, it appeared two climaxes of idolizing Taoism. This had a profound effect on every side of the society.Part There: The management system of the Northern Song Dynasty on Buddhism and Taoism. The management on Buddhism and Taoism of the Northern Song Dynasty was on the way of system. It included the system of Dudie, the system of Ziyi and Shihao, the system of the officials of Buddhist monks and Taoist priests, the system of establishing temple, the system of homestead and taxes and corvee on Buddhist monks and Taoist priests. These systems made the purpose of the ruling class come true.Part Four: The other religions' policies. With regard to Islamism, Mazdaism and Judaism, etc. the governors of the Northern Song Dynasty adopted tolerant and all-embracing policies. This enhanced the society stable and nations merged.Part Five: The advantages and disadvantages of the religion policies. At the premises of securing its domination, the governors carried out tolerant and elastic policies. This secured its governmental stabilization and played an important effect on the development of economic, technology, culture, etc. However, it also existed some flaws and deficiencies. Along with the politics moving toward corruption, religion policies were also missing their active functions day by day.