Liu Ying

Biography

Family Background and Early Life

Liu Ying was a son of Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, and his birth mother was Lady Xu. Lady Xu held a comparatively low rank in Emperor Guangwu's harem, so Liu Ying was not especially prominent among the imperial princes. In 39, the fifteenth year of the Jianwu era, Liu Ying was enfeoffed as Duke of Chu. In 41, the seventeenth year of Jianwu, he was elevated to the rank of prince and made Prince of Chu. In 52, the twenty-eighth year of Jianwu, Liu Ying went to his fief, establishing his capital at Pengcheng (present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu).

Adherence to Huang-Lao Thought and Buddhism

In his early years, Liu Ying was fond of Huang-Lao learning and was well versed in the Daoist ideal of quietude and non-action. At the same time, he developed a strong interest in Buddhism, which had only recently been introduced into China. In 65, the eighth year of the Yongping era, Emperor Ming of Han issued an edict allowing those condemned to death throughout the realm to redeem their offenses by presenting bolts of silk. Liu Ying sent his palace official with thirty bolts of yellow silk and white tabby silk to the chancellor of his kingdom as payment for redemption. Although this was formally a redemption payment, it also served to demonstrate his Buddhist faith to the court.

Emperor Ming replied by edict: "The Prince of Chu recites the subtle teachings of Huang-Lao and reveres the benevolent shrine of the Buddha. He has purified himself and fasted for three months, making an oath before the spirits. What suspicion or doubt should there be, and what regret need arise? Return the redemption silk so that it may help provide a rich feast for the upāsakas and śramaṇas." The edict explicitly accepted Liu Ying's Buddhist observance and expressed approval of his conduct. It is one of the earliest records concerning the transmission of Buddhism to China in the official histories, and Liu Ying is therefore regarded as an important figure in Buddhism's early establishment in China.

Treason Case, Deposition, and Exile

In 70, the thirteenth year of the Yongping era, Yan Guang submitted a memorial accusing Liu Ying of conspiring with Wang Ping of Yuyang and Yan Zhong to produce prophetic diagrams and writings as part of a plot. Emperor Ming ordered the responsible officials to investigate, and the inquiry concluded that Liu Ying did indeed harbor rebellious intentions. The officials reported that Liu Ying had "gathered treacherous men, fabricated apocryphal prophecies, arbitrarily assigned official ranks, and appointed princes, dukes, generals, and officials of the two-thousand-shi grade; this is high treason, and he should be executed."

Emperor Ming, moved by familial affection, could not bear to execute Liu Ying. He therefore stripped him of his princely title and moved him to Jing County in Danyang Commandery (present-day Jing County, Anhui), granting him a support estate of five hundred households. Liu Ying's children were also implicated and reduced to commoner status.

Suicide and Aftermath

In 71, the fourteenth year of the Yongping era, Liu Ying died by suicide in Jing County. After Emperor Ming learned of his death, he had Liu Ying buried with the rites of a vassal prince and gave him the posthumous title Li. Liu Ying's kingdom was abolished after his death, but Emperor Ming, remembering their fraternal bond, enfeoffed Liu Ying's son Liu Zhong as Marquis of Chu, later changing his title to Marquis of Lu.

Major Activities

A Key Figure in the Early Transmission of Buddhism

Liu Ying is one of the earliest members of the imperial house recorded in the official histories as an adherent of Buddhism. He "recited the subtle teachings of Huang-Lao and revered the benevolent shrine of the Buddha," placing Huang-Lao teachings and Buddhism side by side. This reflected an early form of Buddhism in China that was closely associated with Daoist thought. Emperor Ming's edict to Liu Ying constitutes one of the earliest official acknowledgments of Buddhism in the Chinese dynastic histories and is therefore historically significant.

The Treason Case

Late in life, Liu Ying was accused of plotting rebellion and, after being denounced, was deposed and exiled before dying by suicide. The case implicated a large number of people. According to the Book of the Later Han, several thousand people were executed or exiled because of the affair. The case of Prince Ying of Chu was an important political incident in the early Eastern Han and had a far-reaching impact on the political situation of the time.

Personal Relations

Family

• Father: Liu Xiu (Emperor Guangwu of Han)
• Mother: Lady Xu
• Brothers: Liu Zhuang (Emperor Ming of Han), Liu Cang, Prince of Dongping; Liu Jing, Prince of Guangling; Liu Heng, Duke of Linhuai; Liu Jing, Prince of Langya; and others
• Son: Liu Zhong (Marquis of Chu, later Marquis of Lu)

Ruler and Subject

• Liu Zhuang, Emperor Ming of Han (elder brother; showed leniency toward Liu Ying's treason but nevertheless deposed and exiled him)

Conflicts

• Yan Guang (the man who denounced Liu Ying for plotting rebellion)
• Wang Ping and Yan Zhong (men who were said to have conspired with Liu Ying in producing prophetic writings)

Historical Assessment

Eastern Han / Contemporary Assessments

• Emperor Ming of Han, Liu Zhuang: "The Prince of Chu recites the subtle teachings of Huang-Lao and reveres the benevolent shrine of the Buddha. He has purified himself and fasted for three months, making an oath before the spirits. What suspicion or doubt should there be, and what regret need arise?" (Book of the Later Han, "Biographies of the Ten Princes of Emperor Guangwu")
• The investigating officials reported: "Ying gathered treacherous men, fabricated apocryphal prophecies, arbitrarily assigned official ranks, and appointed princes, dukes, generals, and officials of the two-thousand-shi grade. This is high treason; we request that he be executed." (Book of the Later Han, "Biographies of the Ten Princes of Emperor Guangwu")

Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties Period

• Fan Ye commented on Liu Ying in the Book of the Later Han: "In his youth Ying was fond of knight-errantry and associated with many guests. In later years he increasingly favored Huang-Lao learning and practiced Buddhist fasting and sacrifices." (Book of the Later Han, "Biographies of the Ten Princes of Emperor Guangwu")

Tang and Song Periods

• Buddhist historical works regarded Liu Ying as an important figure in Buddhism's transmission to China. Texts such as Biographies of Eminent Monks mentioned the Prince of Chu's Buddhist faith when describing the religion's early transmission.

Modern Period

• Tang Yongtong, in History of Buddhism in the Han, Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, regarded Liu Ying's Buddhist adherence as an important event in the early transmission of Buddhism to China, reflecting the spread of Buddhism within the Eastern Han imperial house.
• Modern scholars generally regard Liu Ying as a key figure in the early transmission of Buddhism to China and consider his patronage to have contributed to its spread.