Study Of The Praying Policy About Drought In Earlier Song Dynasty

The severely frequent drought in Earlier Song Dynasty not only damaged the agriculture economy,but also caused a substantial reduction in population and mass migration,even threatened the security of society.Facing this situation,the emperor-the supreme ruler of the country-took some actions in order to maintain his own power such as decreasing corvee tax,making grains more cheaper,launching projects to provide jobs by way of relief and disease treatment.Under the profound influence of “Heaven-Human Induction” which represents the Yin-Yang and Disaster Curse,the emperor was also avert disasters by praying.Specially,the most directly ways is pray for rain.He was not only publish rules for location and method,but participate activities personally also.In addition,the emperor also employed the way of XiuDe and Xiu Zheng which means reduction food feast,avoid building giant temples,adopting suggestions from local government and caring about prisoners.These measurements are all highlight the combination of Earlier Song Dynasty imperial politics and praying policy.On the basis of relive the contradictions of society,the emperor showed a high level of political wisdom by transforming the threaten of drought into the chance of strengthen imperial power.