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Northern Wei Emperor Wu's Buddhist persecution

Type Event Region China Time 446–452

Around 446 CE, Northern Wei Emperor Wu of Tai launched a Buddhist persecution under the influence of Cui Hao, ordering statues destroyed, scriptures …

Timeline

  1. 446Pingcheng · ShanxiEmperor Wu issued an edict citing Buddhism's impact on state corvée and taxes and the expansion of temple economies, ordering temples and statues destroyed, scriptures burned, and monks and nuns forced to return to lay life, with Confucian and Daoist figures such as Cui Hao fanning the flames.
  2. 446–452Northern Wei realm · ChinaOfficials throughout Northern Wei were ordered to demolish temples and burn scriptures and images; monks and nuns were forced to return to lay life. Buddhism in the north suffered an unprecedented blow, and some clergy fled south or went into hiding.
  3. 452Pingcheng · ShanxiAfter Emperor Wu died, Emperor Wencheng ascended the throne and, with the backing of Crown Prince Tuoba Jun and others, restored Buddhism and rebuilt temples; northern Buddhism soon revived and continued to develop.

Sources