Abstract:
The Inscription of Granting File for Shifang Lingyan Temple is full of historical value. Lingyan Temple is crucial in order to know how the Buddhist temple system changed in the Northern Song dynasty, reflecting the inner contradiction of Buddhism. Although some monks wanted to make reforms and innovations, they did not have enough power to do so. Buddhism became more mundane and secularized. The court of Northern Song dynasty dealt with Buddhism affairs more regularly and officially. Referring to poetry to testify history, we can know the harmonious relationship between politics and Buddhism at that moment.