Research On The Buddhism Life Of Women In Song Dynasty

The Buddhism has become the local religion during Song Dynasty. Women which have the Buddhism faith practice Buddhist rules in many ways. Their piety is represented not only in the public religion assemblies, but also in the private field of females. The article includes three parts: the Buddhist life of women in the private field, the Buddhist life of women in the public field and the reasons of believing in the Buddhism of women.In the private life of Song Dynasty, women believing in the Buddhism must obey two things: reading the Buddhist Scripture and abstaining from meat. Reading the Buddhist Scripture has three parts: Buddhist Scripture, incantation, names of bodhisattva. According to the comprehension of religious principles, the three ways can be chose at will. The fast is to abstain from meat and wine. Forbidding killing creatures and advocating releasing animals are important parts of this section, which lead the contradiction between the Buddhism and the Confucians. Literati of Song Dynasty persuade that women should do their housework at the same time when they practice their fast.This article plans to analyze the Buddhist life in the public form two aspects: Buddhism assemblies and alms giving. Some literati express strong disapproval of women taking part in these public activities, because this don't conform to the regulations about women of the Confucian. In fact, the activities of females during Song Dynasty are not limited in family, but also in the public field. They devote actively oneself to the charity; such as making a donation, repairing temples. The donation from the female Buddhists becomes the important part in the revenue of the temple.There are three reasons of women believing in the Buddhism: social conditions, female psychological characteristic and unfortunate experiences of women. Social conditions are outside reason. Female psychological characteristic and unfortunate experiences are the internal reason. The two aspects are both important.For the women, the religion life brings them more interests of life, broadens their views. The charity done by female Buddhists is conducive to social harmony.