Wu Zetian

WU ZETIAN 'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE TANG DYNASTY
By
Rui Wang
A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of East Asian Studies University of Toronto
© 2008 by Rui Wang
ABSTRACT
Wu Zetian 's Contribution to the Cultural Development of the Tang Dynasty
Rui Wang
Master of Arts Thesis, November 2008
Department of East Asian Studies
University of Toronto
This thesis represents cross-section of sources on a selection of major topics and issues related to Wu Zetian 's policies and accomplishments in promoting the cultural development of the Tang Dynasty. Her contribution to the cultural development of the Tang Dynasty can be summarized into several aspects: increased the number of hiring sources, which drew a larger talent pool of potential candidates; increased the importance of the Imperial Examination System, and made bold innovations to it; selected scholars as officials according to the effectiveness of their essays and emphasized their literary accomplishments and ability to identify, relate and solve pertinent societal issues; broke the traditionalist 's hold on power and influence, and integrated people of various backgrounds and cultures; summoned scholars to compile reference book, which facilitated cultural prosperity, promoted Buddhism and other religions simultaneously. All of those bold reforms enabled a paradigm shift that fostered an economically, socially and culturally rich society to flourish and prosper.
Table of Contents
Abstract ii
Table of Contents iii
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
1.1 Cultural development during the Zhenguan Period 2 Advocating Confucianism and embracing a pluralistic cultural development policy Promoting historiography cultural classics Expanding the Imperial Examination System Ceasing military activities and preparing for cultural development

1.2 Brief introduction to Wu Zetian 12
1.3 Wu Zetian 's

Bibliography: Barret, T.H. Taoism under the T 'ang. London: The Wellsweep Press, 1996. Benn, Charles Cao, Lifang WM^ . Zhenguan Shiqi de Wenhua Tezheng he Wenxian Lilun M.WMM ffiXttMWiffllClRMWi. Journal of Shandong University ihMX^W., 1996. 2:47-52. Cawthorae, Nigel Chen, Fei M.M, Tang Shi Yu Keju jf HHf4^ , Guilin: Lijiang Publishing House, 1996. Chen, Fei M.M, Tang Dai Shi Ce Kao Shu jtftt£^%&, Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju,2002 Cui Ruide ^Iffi 'M, The Cambridge History of China: Sui and Tang Dynasties $$f ^ iSPtfJifjfe, Beijing: China Social Sciences Documentation Publishing House, 1990,p.263 Dong Gao Wm.Qin Ding Quan Tang Wen &Xfsllk$iJC, "Anthologies of Prose of the Tang Dynasty Compiled by Imperial Order". Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 1983. Du You t±ft. Tong Dion MM "Comprehensive Compendium". Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 1984 Renmin Press, 2003. Guisso, R. W. L. Wu Tse-T 'ien and the Politics of Legitimation in T 'ang China. Western Washington University Press. WA: Bellingham, 1978. Guisso, R. W. L., and Stanley Johannesen (eds). Women in China. Amsterdam: Philo Press, 1981 Lei, Jiaji HtHC®, Humei Pian Neng Huo Zhu—Wu Zetian de jingshen yu xinling de fenxi MUt^HE—MiJ^tfl*f#2l 'bMW##f. Lianming Wenhua Publishing, 1981. Lin, Yu-t 'ang Ling, Jiamin &MR. ChuTangZhengzhi Wenhua JiegouFenxi. tyiM '&faXtt&affi ##f. QiuShiXueKan #JiWJ . 1990. 1:86-90. Liu, Houbin §!jJ5^ Liu, Su MM. Da TangXin Yu ^Jllfftn. Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 1983. Liu, Su i 'Jtt Liu, Xu §ijB6j. Jiu Tang Shu ff JSlU, "Old Tang History History". Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 1975. Lu, Rong Ji&H Paul, Diana. Empress Wu and the Historians: A Tyrant and Saint of Classical China, in Falk and Gross ed., Unspoken Worlds: Women 's Religious Lives in Non-Western Cultures. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1980. Peng, Dingqiu et al Rothschild, N. Harry. Wu Zhao - China s Only Woman Emperor. Pearson Education, Inc., 2008. Rothschild, N Shafer, Edward. The Divine Woman: Dragon Ladies and Rain Maidens in Tang Literature. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1973. Sima, Guang w]l§;)fc Sima, Qian w] MM, ShiJi^tM^, "Records of the Historian". Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 1999. Smith and Perry, eds Toan, Nghiem and Ricaud, Louis. Wu Tso-t 'ien. Sigon, 1959. Twitchett, Denis Twitchett and Wright eds. Perspectives on the Tang. New Haven: Yale University, 1973. Wang, Pu ZEilf, Tang Hui Yao jHH"!? "Institutional History of the Tang Dynasty" Wang, Shuanghuai iMIf . Ben Shiji Yilai Guanyu Wu Zetian de Yanjiu ^tMJ2MM Mft&W3ittrfift%. Journal of Historical Science $.^B T!|. 1997.3:111-115. Wang, Yongping i7JOf Weinstein, Stanley. Buddhism in T 'ang China. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, 1987. Wu Feng ^ H and Chang Wansheng ^H4 , Nu Huang Wu Zetian &Mf£jW?C Shenyang: Liaoning Jiaoyu, 1986 Wu, Geyan ^|§-1=F. Wu Zetian Zhizheng Shiqi dui Chu Tang Shige Fazhan de Yingxiang ^a^3ft&l$$£f&l^§#ffc#Mftl&£. QiLuXueKan M^TO, 1999. 6:60-63. Wu, Jing %Wi- Zhenguan Zheng Yao j?liSl$t Jl, "the Record of Zhenguan Political History" Wu, Yun ^:M. Lun Tang Taizong de Wenhua Jianshe Yeji WlBX^tfyJCWMffliMffi. Jounal of Liaoning University M^X^^^z, 1985. 4:40-44. Wu, Zongguo ^TKIH Zhang, Yi W&. Nan Bei Wenxue de Heliu yu Chu Tang Shige ^itX^^^ 'M^tS jfttft Nankai Journal itHIMS , 1999.6:92-98. Zhang, Yuqiong i/S^Ift Zhao, Wenrun ^§3tff. Lun Tang Gaozong Zai Wenhua Shi Shang de Gongxian fpfJif iftfav£:£4fc£±ftjWit The Journal of Humanites XXBM, 1997.2:73-80. Zhao, Wenrun jUi^t^il Zhao, Wenrun ffijtfl. Wu Zetian Pinjia de Shehui Biaozhun yu Daode Biaozhun, ff£ MMfifttfl^WM^MWMM, Zhao Wenrun and Li Yuming, eds., Wu Zetian Yuanjiu Lunwen ji Il^M 'J^cfiJF%tikJCM, Taiyuan:Shanxi Guji Press, 1998:55-74. Zhao, Xiaohua M 'h^