A Pilot Study On Evolution Of Buddhism In Fujian Province During Tang And Song Dynasty

Tang and Song Dynasty is a prosperous age of Chinese Buddhism evolution and during this age Buddhism in Fujian Province developed from slow march into unprecedented progress. The course of the development per se bears immense research meaning. By analysis on abundant historical material, this thesis makes a pilot study on the course of Buddhism evolution in Fujian Province during Tang and Song Dynasty. The pilot study attaches much importance to the following aspects:building temples, the relationship between monk-nuns and society, temple economy and so on. First, I discuss that Buddhist temples in Fujian Province took on various looks in the different period of Tang and Song Dynasty. The changes were affected by government policy, economy alternation and regional position. Second, I discuss that all social classes handed out farmland and houses to Buddhist temples in Fujian Province during Tang and Song dynasty; moreover I bring forward new opinion about this matter. This part evolves from the below 2 perspectives:monk-nun's social participation and contribution, social classes' influence on monk-nuns. The thread in the second part is the relationship between monk-nuns and temporal society.