Investigation Of The Evolution Of White Lotus Sect And Its Banned In The Yuan Dynasty

Chinese folk religion is the closest religious form which is combines with social life of Chinese people.It is not only plays a very important role in conformation of Chinese folk thought and culture,but also has a important impact on the direction of China's folk society.White Lotus Sect is one of the most important Chinese folk religions,which existed the longest time of Chinese folk religion in the history.Since it produced,White Lotus Sect played a promotion and leading role in Chinese social moments in the process of its evolution,launched severe attacks on orthodox ideology and social order of the feudal society.In Yuan dynasty,White Lotus Sect is an important transitive period of Chinese folk religion,and it has a profound impact on moments of folk religion in the later generation.Because of the secretive,secular and non-normative nature of folk religion,it is very difficult for government to do effective management in history;there were problems "too loose" or "too strict" in the management;management of folk religion was used to be difficult problem in the religious management. Strengthen research on folk religion in different views will help us become more conscious of the essence about White Lotus Sect and other folk religion,and grasp special relationship between folk religion and political powers,which has actual significance to promote harmonious development of religion and society,as well as special signification to improve religious research level of our country.The thesis takes White Lotus Sect in Yuan Dynasty as example to study reciprocal relation between government and folk religion.The thesis is divided into five sections:The first section,the author researches on historical relation between creation of White Lotus and process of secular Buddhism.Firstly,the author indicates relation between production of White Lotus and process of secular Buddhism,illustrates historical reason of creation of White Lotus Sect.Secondly,the author introduces process of creation of White Lotus Sect and its development in early stage,as well as illustrates origin and character of doctrine and ritual of the sect.,and points out traits of organization in the sect.The second section,the author researches on evolutionary process of White Lotus Sect.Firstly,the author introduces situation of development and circumstances of evolution of White Lotus Sect in Yuan dynasty.Secondly,the author illustrates various display of evolution of the sect belief in Yuan dynasty according to record of Purdue, and also makes appropriate judgment.Finally,the author makes full explanation to division within the sect organization,which resulted from two orientations "gather" and "diffuse".The third section,the author researches on process and reasons of Yuan government banned White Lotus Sect.Firstly,the author analyses why Yuan government banned the sect in political part.On the one hand,social conflicts, followers of folk religions discontent society intensify,which prompted them to resist with religious activities;on the other hand,as far as the ruler concerned White Lotus Sect did not play important role in stabilizing society and social order any more,but threaten to its rule.Secondly,the stress from other parts also contributed to Yuan government to make the prohibition of White Lotus Sect's decision.The fourth section,the author researches on some of the basic situation after the government banned White Lotus Sect.Due to the Pudu's continuous efforts make the Government to relieve to White Lotus Sect's prohibition rule,but the White Lotus Sect has been the underlying trend of change can not be changed.Along with the social contradictory aggravating,the lower level populace's religious revolt unifies with the peasant uprising,has caused the Yuan government's collapse finally.The fifth section,the author comes to conclusions.The author investigates overall interaction among folk religions,government and legitimate religions,according to evolutionary states of White Lotus,summarizes historical experiences which is used to getting references for religious development and management.