The Evolution Of Avalokitesvara Belief In Each Stratum In Song,Yuan,Ming And Qing Dynasty Period

Avalokitesvara belief, the most popular Bodhisattva belief system in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism, which had produced a very important influence on Chinese culture with the development of Buddhism in China. Entering into the Song Dynasty, the Buddhism began the second millennium in China, followed by the emergence of a variety of new forms and characteristics. Under this context, the thesis expands the discussion to try to clarify the propagation conditions of Avalokitesvara belief in every social stratum of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties and the link between the Avalokitesvara belief and social life of every stratum.By analysis of the Avalokitesvara belief spreading in society of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing period, this paper has the following main views:1. Avalokitesvara belief of the Royal household and the bureaucracy has two levels, namely public and private property, the former regarded the preservation of political domination as the main purpose, the latter was no different from other sectors of society. Whereas, on the promotion and development of the Belief, they had a direct and dramatic Influence.2. Avalokitesvara belief of literati, which showed different with its different social status, or for the reining and enriching country, or for the maintenance of the Confucian tradition, or for the lifting the spiritual realm, or for the pursuit of the other world religions, which showing the different characteristics. Avalokitesvara belief and the creation of literati had interactive boost action.3. Avalokitesvara belief of monk class, the early Song Dynasty was mainly showing the construction of the temple, and then on the revival and innovation of the basic folk. In Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties period, to keep and inherit the form of Song dynasty became main theme, and this time was called stereotypes period of Avalokitesvara belief.4. Starting from their own real life, people made a variety of the transformation of Avalokitesvara belief, which was the main reason of Avalokitesvara belief appearing folknalization, provincialization, functionalization.5. The special status of women in the family made a special contribution on the propagation and transformation of Avalokitesvara belief. At the same time, from the perspective of Avalokitesvara belief, we can see the women bear the feudal etiquette, patriarchal society, production growth and multiple social pressures in Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.6. Provincialization was one of the prominent features of Avalokitesvara belief in Song,Yuan, Ming and Qing period, which appeared multiple social factors, and the main reason was the combination of folknalization and made Avalokitesvara turn into the object worship of a particular area or a particular region where folk was fashionable.7. Functionalization was also an important feature of Avalokitesvara belief in this period, the transformation of Avalokitesvara turning into the god of the climate was linked to social conditions of agricultural production; and the conservation of Avalokitesvara to Songzi-Bodhisattva was linked to the traditional concept of fertility, and Avalokitesvara also turned into the Goddess of keeping exam succeed and healing illness. All these mentioned above were the reflection of social issues and people's aspirations.8. The widespread of Avalokitesvara belief was a force to be reckoned with, which was the lever of class confrontation as well as a platform for class dialogue.9. The spreading of Avalokitesvara belief in all stratums of society made the wisdom, blessing alike other concepts in Avalokitesvara culture mixed with the filial piety of traditional culture, which co-casted the cultural and religious psychology of the ancient Chinese people.