The Major Religions in the Tang Dynasty

Buddhism and Confucianism- two religions that had a major impact on the Tang Dynasty. Buddhism is the belief that people are their own god, and everyone lives to reach Zen and Nirvana, or complete peace and harmony. Confucianism is the belief that everyone must respect their elders, and be a role model to the youth. Basically, there are five basic relationships. Ruler and subject, husband and wife, older sibling and younger sibling, and elders and youth.

During the first few hundred years of the Tang dynasty,  people practiced Buddhism. Everyday life was peaceful, and there wasn't much crime. Everyone learned to love one another and respect others. Life was good for those who lived in the Tang dynasty. Buddhism was a great and peaceful way to run a dynasty.

Around 200 years after the Tang dynasty was established, Confucianism was introduced, and it became the main practice for people in the Tang dynasty. Things were still peaceful, but there was more respect between people. The dynasty was very powerful at this point, because everybody respected and looked up to the Emperor. Confucianism was an effective and powerful way to run a dynasty.

If another religion was introduced during the Tang dynasty, like Legalism, there would be chaos. Legalism is the belief that everyone is born evil, and people need to be taught how to act, and one way to teach people is harsh punishments for petty crimes. Obviously there are flaws in this belief, and people in the dynasty would be living in fear. Riots would break out, and all that is needed to overthrow an empire is a large riot. The belief of Legalism has holes in it. Therefore, Legalism would not be an effective way to run an empire.