衞元嵩傳成立考

Abstract

The biography of Wei Yiian-sung 衛元嵩, who was responsible for the anti-Buddhist movement instigated by Emperor Wu 武帝 of the Pei-chou 北周 dynasty, is recorded in the Hsu Kao-seng ch'uan 續高僧傳 compiled by Tao-hsuan 道宣. In this text, Tao-hsuan's account is confused. Tao-hsuan alternately condemns Wei Yuan-sung as the instigator of this movement and exonerates Wei on the basis of the fact that Wei's true motive was to purify rather than suppress the sangha. In this paper I examine this contrasting attitude via a study of Taohsuan's mental state together with the background and circumstances under which the Hsu Kao-seng ch'uan was written. I also advance a general assessment of Wei Yuan-sung in this period with particular attention to his level of popularity following a visit to his hometown.