Before the introduction of Buddhism into China, the Son of Heaven was familiar with establishing hierarchy through alliances. Wutaishan become the most important Buddhist site in China in Yuan Dynasty when various warrior groups had been active in frontier. From some time when an alliance between religious and military figures on the frontier dominate the political situation throughout China, Wutaishan had began to have a more and more pivotal role.
Shortly after The Liangzhou Talk between Prince Godan of Mongolia and Sakya Pandita in 1247, Wutaishan had been mentioned in dialogue at the Mongol Khan's court. The statue of Mahakala of Wutaishan consecrated by Phagspa had been regarded as symbol of the Mongol imperial descent. Over two hundreds years later, the mode of Liangzhou Talks were re-acted in Qinghai when Altan Khan converted into Gelug and make an alliance with the 3rd Dalai Lama in 1578. Wanli Emperor immediately realized the potential danger of this alliance and responded effectively on Wutaishan, by repairing the famous stupa and promulgating Tripitaka Sutra,to conciliate those pious Mongolian leaders.
These work had never been wasted. Ching court accepted all of these inheritance and grasped the opportunity of the 5th Dalai Lama’s pilgrimage to Beijing for making alliance with Shunzhi Emperor in 1652, implementing the last step for transforming Wutaishan into a thoroughly imperial Church. With its Gelug priesthood authorized by the Emperor considered recommendation by Dalai Lama selected from Lhasa monasteries, Wutaishan provided foundation for the Empire, not only establishing legally binding covenants with dominating military regimes in frontiers, but also a hierarchy thus been built with the cooperation of regional church organizations. The development of priesthood on Wutaishan was in parallel with the achievement of various warrior groups in the frontier fighting for Peace of the Emperor.
