The Tang Dynasty persecution of Buddhists in China is best explained by officials' concerns about loyalty to the government.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. They were concerned about economic impact

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is that the Tang crackdown on Buddhism reflects a political effort to secure loyalty to the central government. Buddhist monasteries controlled large tracts of land, enjoyed tax exemptions, and operated with a degree of autonomy that could challenge imperial authority. When officials worried about allegiance or the potential for opposition, curbing these powerful religious networks helped the ruler reassert sovereignty, restore tax and labor mobilization for state needs, and ensure that religious actors aligned with the state’s interests. So, while economic concerns about monasteries’ wealth were part of the discussion, the stronger motive was political control and loyalty to the emperor. Framing it this way shows why leadership chose to target Buddhist institutions as a means of strengthening centralized governance, rather than attributing the action solely to economic impact or leaving the motive unspecified.