 Upon gradually growing in influence, Buddhism became one of the “Three Teachings” (Ch. San jiao) of the Chinese tradition, along with Confucianism and Daoism. In fact, at times Buddhism has been the dominant religious and philosophical movement in China (among both intellectuals and commoners). However, there have been several periods of Buddhist persecution in Chinese history. In 567 CE, Wei Yuansong (n.d.), having left the Buddhist order, argued to Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou (543–578, ruled 561–578) that Buddhism should be de-institutionalized. He argued that Buddhism is responsible for social instability because its various institutions—monastic living, internal hierarchies, and freedom from political control—undermine harmony-facilitating Chinese culture and tradition by virtue of facilitating corruption among monks and by isolating Buddhism from practical affairs (Ch. shi). 