Wei Yüan-sung ［衛元嵩］ (n.d.) (PY Wei Yuansong;  Ei-gensū): A Buddhist priest who returned to lay life and exhorted Emperor Wu of the Northern Chou dynasty in China to abolish Buddhism. In 567 he submitted a memorial to Emperor Wu stating to the effect that, because Buddhist temples were contrary to the interests of the nation, they should be abolished and Buddhist priests and nuns required to return to lay life. This document was instrumental in influencing Emperor Wu to outlaw Buddhism. In 574 Emperor Wu had Buddhist scriptures and images destroyed and Buddhist priests and nuns returned to lay life. This is counted as one of the four wholesale imperial persecutions of Buddhism in China. See also four imperial persecutions of Buddhism in China.