From conflict to mutual compatibility: the relationship between traditional Sheyi and Buddhism in medieval China

ABSTRACT This article conducts an introductory investigation into the relationship between traditional sheyi and Buddhism during the Jin, Northern, Southern, Sui, Tang and Five dynasties. The main thread of their relationship during the Jin, Northern, Southern and Sui dynasties was killing and the prohibition of killing. That is, the opposition and conflict between Buddhist and traditional cultures in respective to values and behaviour. The main thread of the relationship between them during the Tang and Five dynasties was mutual tolerance and the merging of both cultures.