Japanese scholar Ishimatsu Hinako once posed the problem about Tan Yao’s losing his position as the highest Buddhist ruler in the Northern Wei by interpreting a text entitled "the Imperial Decree about Appointing Tan Yao the Chief Buddhist Controller due to His Eminence." However,a careful interpretation of the text suggests that Ishimatsu Hinako ’s interpretation needs further examination.Various kinds of archaeological evidence show that Tan Yao was unintentionally involved in the political battles between Emperor Wendi and Empress Wenming when he was ordered by Emperor Wendi to construct the Luyeyuan Grottoes.Thus Empress Wenming barred him from the political stage from the first year (477) to the third year (479) of the Taihe era.
