• Remained most popular faith despite Daoism was officially highest religion
• Became a fundamental part of political order and economy
• Primary instruments were imperial monasteries and palace chapels
• Apart from single attempted suppression, no emperor questioned place of Buddhism
• Along with ceremonies, Buddhist order assisted in defending empire
• Common people regularly encountered Buddhism in great festivals
• Influenced Tang life through popular lectures in large cities and small towns
• Central Asia scholars served as intellectual masters because of India origins
• In worldview, India held pride of center while China was in marginal position
• For grasping truth, India emerged as most direct and vivid medium
• In eighth century, China emerged as sacred Buddhist land in own right
• Another version of China center prophecy was used by Empress Wu