The ‘Daan ta beiming’ 大安塔碑銘 (Daan Pagoda Stele), composed by Xia Song 夏竦 (985–1051), records the process by which the early Song nuns Miaoshan妙善 (943–1018) and Daojian 道堅 (dates unknown), a teacher and student pair, constructed the Daan Pagoda 大安塔 and associated temples. Throughout the process of constructing the Daan Pagoda, Miaoshan and Daojian received strong support from the imperial household and high-ranking members of the government; Emperor Zhenzong 宋真宗 (968–1022), Emperor Renzong 宋仁宗 (1010–1063), Empress Dowager Mingde 明德太后 (960–1004), and Empress Zhangxian Mingsu 章獻明肅太后 (969–1033) all participated in the Pagoda’s construction, reflecting the interactions between the Imperial Household and Buddhists in the early Song; through this case, one can examine the relationship between the Song Imperial Household, especially the women of the Household, and Buddhism.
