As is well known, Liang Wudi has been criticized all through Chinese official historiography for – amongst other expressions of his commitment to the buddhist cause – having abolished sacrifices and meat offerings on the ancestors’ altars, as well as attempted to reform other blood sacrifices in the same way. More than any of its buddhist inspired precedents, this amendment of some of the most important state rituals was simultaneously legitimized, restricted and completed by various arguments, means and compromises : these are indicative of immediate reactions to change, and are also part of an interesting creative process. Nevertheless, Wudi’s partial abolition of the ancestors’ altars blood offerings was debated as any other ritual reform would have been : the deliberations that were thus necessary should also be taken into consideration whilst trying to evaluate the actual meaning of such a reform in its context, as well as to investigate the hypothetical circles to which its promoters may have belonged.