 Song intellectuals sought answers to all philosophical and political questions in the Confucian Classics . This renewed interest in the Confucian ideals and society of ancient times coincided with the decline of Buddhism , which was then largely regarded as foreign , and as offering few solutions for practical problems . However , Buddhism in this period continued as a cultural underlay to the more accepted Confucianism and even Taoism , both seen as native and pure by conservative Neo @-@ Confucians . The continuing popularity of Buddhism can be seen with strong evidence by achievements in the arts , such as the 100 painting set of the Five Hundred Luohan , completed by Lin Tinggui and Zhou Jichang in 1178 . 
