The Tang Dynasty,with its multicultural backgrounds,is the period during which both Buddhism and Taoism flourished,while Chang’an,the political and cultural center of the empire,is also the hub of Buddhism and Taoism.A great many Buddhist and Taoist temples were built in Chang’an,which drew large numbers of Buddhist monks and Taoist priests,who were actively involved in political and cultural praxis,to Chang’an.With a social milieu of tripartite balance of three religions,both Buddhist monks and Taoist priests spared no efforts to preach their respective doctrines and extend their influence in social life.A harmonious coexistence of Buddhism and Taoism can be perceived in the balance inquiries of the three religions,the sermons preached to laymen as well as the exchange of poems by eminent Buddhist monks and Taoist priests.
