The Buddhist Secularization and Its Expression in Northern Song Dynasty

Since Tang Dynasty, the Buddhist secularization has become increasingly obvious. In Song Dynasty, it was especially striking. Such secularization had its apparent reflection on monks in Northern Song Dynasty, which is shown in four aspects: emphasis on rites with seniority practiced among common people, stress on returning of Buddhism to Confucianism with the increasing attachment to secular power, lenient Buddhist disciplines with expansion of monks' material craving, and monk poets' pursuit of name and profit with great wish to enter the secular world.