Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei

• Reign: 424-452

Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty is known for his persecution of Buddhism, over a period from 446 to 452. This was one of the most significant instances of persecution in 5th-6th century China, but Northern Wei emperors before and after Taiwu were among Buddhism's greatest supporters, and the Northern Wei left many beautiful examples of Buddhist sculpture.

References

• Conrad Schirokauer, et al, A Brief History of Chinese and Japanese Civilizations, Fourth Edition, Cengage Learning (2012), 88.