Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t5.2

v2.c14.s4.t5.2

Wu Zetian laid her claim to be the empress in the Tianshou first year of Tang (690 CE) and then changed the title of her reigning dynasty into Zhou. However, since the Xianqing period of the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (656-660 CE) to the Hongdao first year when Emperor Gaozong passed away, she had already headed the administration and along with Emperor Gaozong was known as one of the "Two Saints". In effect, later period of Emperor Gaozong's reign overlapped by the period of Empress Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian's reign lasted all the way down to the year of 705, not long ago before her death, and during the period of her reign, the government was functioning excellently and people were all leading a harmonious life, and the whole country was in prosperity with stable borders and a flourishing culture. Therefore, people highly praised her period as an extension of golden years of Zhenguan (the period of the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang). As far as the Sino-India exchange is concerned, Empress Wu Zetian laid a special emphasis on Buddhism and greatly supported the translation of Buddhist scriptures, and during the period of her reign, the Sino-India exchange centered on the dissemination of dharma and translation of Buddhism scriptures, presenting a brand-new image of prosperity.