The Religious Life Of Dunhuang In The 9th And 10th Centuries

The texts of fast ceremonies among the Dunhuang documents that appeared in the 9th and 10 th centuries are highly valuable materials that reflect the interaction between religion and social life at that time.Those texts indicate the value system,the cultural upbringing and the spiritual pursuit of Dunhuang people regarding their society and human life,which show their pursuit and yearning for a better life at that time.There are rich cultural connotations and special meanings in the fast ceremonies texts: Firstly,the significance of its religious history,which reflects the further integration of the Confucianism,Buddhism and Taoism in the society at that time.It also reflects the increasing influence of the thought of "disaster prevention and national protection" of the Tantrism,with the fast ceremonies showing the characteristics of Tantrism.Secondly,the significance of social life history.The interaction between religion and society became closer,as indicated by corresponding fast ceremonies held for annual festivals,,agricultural demands,disaster response,disease treatment and other aspects.Thirdly,the significance of cultural history.At the time,there were many religious activities in the society,such as the tour along the four gates on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month,the lantern lighting in the first lunar month,and the praying for ancestors on the 15 th day of the seventh lunar month,which still represent an important aspect of the local social life nowadays.The ideas found in the texts,such as "loyalty to the country and filial piety at home" and the awareness of a collective responsibility that "an epidemic disease is the common karma of all living beings" when dealing with epidemic outbreaks,are still valuable and thought-provoking in the modern society.