"In defense of the dharms" (hu-fa) is an important theme in the history of Chinese Buddhism. That Buddhist monks led or participated in the defense of the dharma has been only natural. Throughout Chinese history，however，there have been pro-Buddhist Confucians who acted as defenders of the dharma. These "defenders from the outside" (wai-hu) were often well versed in Confucian and Buddhist texts. They also learned from their predecessors' experiences and acquired a composite knowledge concerning the defense of the dharma. With this background and their understanding of Buddhism and Confucianism on the basis of comparison，they believed that they saw the problems of anti-Buddhist diatribes. In order to do justice to the two teachings, they advocated the co-existence of the two -- sometimes three，if Taosim was included. While some of them might take a conciliatory approach to correlating these two (or three)teachings, most of them acknowledged the supremacy of Buddhism over Confucianism and held the former in the highest esteem. This article addresses the issue of the Confucian defense of Buddhism with special reference to Chang Shang-ying(1043 ~ 1121),who was prime minister at the court of Emperor Hui-tsung (r.1101 ~ 1105).It discusses the historical significance of his patronage and defense of Buddhism. It offers a disinterested account of his active involvement with Buddhist institutions, his unflagging support of younger and outstanding clerics, his genuine concern for the reputation and growth of Buddhist institutions, and his lengthy apologetic writing defending the Buddhist dharma. The article analyses his famous essay，viz.，"Essay in Defense of the Dharma" (Hu-fu lun)，which challenged the Confucians' attack on Buddhism，and argues that it repressents a rational and logical discussion on the inherent differences between the two teachings. Unlike many previous essays written to safeguard Buddhism，it is an appologetic writing which defends Buddhist dharma in its own terms rather than a doctrinal potpourri of two or three teachings. The article consists of six sections. The first section defines the Chinese term hu-fa in the context of religious, or more specifically，Buddhist history, It explains that the formation of Sung hu-fa discourse was partly stirred up by the annoying resurgence of the traditional，chauvinistic I-hsia lun -- a notion that asserts the alien origin of Buddhism and its inferiority vis-a-vis native Chinese culture. It also arose from the Sung anti-Buddhist proposition that "Buddhism grew out of Confucians' inability to safeguard their own teachings." Chang Shangying took it upon himself to repond to this line of anti-Buddhist censure. The second section takes into account Chang's historical image，pointing out the contrasting roles he played in politics and religion. It demonstrates the significance of his hu-fa experience，which was made particularly evident by the manifold
