The Hung-ming chi(Collection to Promote Buddhism and Expound Its Teaching) by Seng You of the Liang Dinasty and Guang-hung-ming chi by Dao Xuan of the Tang Dinasty are two extremely significant ancient books in Chinese Buddhist history. As the important literature, the two books including some papers, imperial orders and edicts which has the great significance for studying the history of Buddhism, the history of ideology and culture in the period of the Han, Wei and Six Dynasties, and the Sui and Tang dynasties. Although the two books were cited from time to time in the past, till now one can see very few monographs studying over them, not even to synthesize the two books and focus on expounding the relationship between Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism. Based on the materials collected in the Hung-ming chi and the Guang-hung-ming chi, this paper consisting of five chapters means to discuss the subject: the relationship between Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism in the period from the Han, Wei and Six Dynasties to the Sui and Tang dynasties, and to examine the confliction and mutual adaptation between Buddhism and the innate Chinese tradition until the harmonious merging took place about Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism. The first chapter introduces the authors and background of the two books; The second, third and forth chapters traces back the debates between Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism contained in the above two books, which includes (1) the Yi-xa-zhi-bian (argument for superiority of Chinese or barbarian culture), (2) whether or not the soul exists after the body perils and (3) whether of not Buddhist practices should obey the Chinese rites and customs. The last argument is concerned about issues of the filial piety, dressing customs in China and necessity to show respect in front of the emperor. The fifth chapter comprehensively takes look at the mutual merging process of the San-Jiao (three teachings) with description of the consistent collision between the three faiths at the beginning stage of Chinese Buddhism, and of final formation of the harmonious cultural tradition with Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism finding their proper place.
