Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t2.4

v2.c14.s4.t2.4

In March of the seventh year of Taiping Zhenjun, he made a second attempt at eradicating Buddhism and ordered to bury Buddhist monks and to destroy Buddha statues, which was a big blow to Buddhism. However, most people from upper class with the leader of Tuobahuang from Xianbei nationality were followers of Buddhism, and they secretly protected some monks and saved a lot of Buddha statues and sutras. Many Buddhist monks who kept their faith, hid their cassocks and wares, lived in the mountains, and waited for the chance to return, like the famous monk Tanyao. In the second year of Zhengping (452 CE), Emperor Taiwu was murdered by Zhongchangshi (ancient official position) Zong'ai. Tabahuang had died the year before, so his son ascended the throne with the title of Emperor Wencheng. Influenced by his father Tuobahuang, Emperor Wencheng soon ordered the restoration of Buddhism under the support of his secretary after he ascended the throne.