Three Religions Integration And The Evolution Of The Song Dynasty Literary Theme

Since the Buddhism was introduced to ancient China, it had been constantly conflicting, communicating and syncretizing with tradional Chinese culture, especially Confucianism and Taoism. From "the three religions being consensus" on social educating to "the three religions standing independently" in terms of social status, it was not until the middle of Song Dynasty that the three religions eventually became confluent in the social thinking area. Three religions formed a situation which was based on Confucianism and assistanted with Buddhism and Taoism. This situation had a great effect on the character and literal concept of Song intellectuals. Thus the literature works of Song Dynasty had taken on a trait different from other dynasties, in which the change of the themes was an important aspect.Firstly, the vicissitude of the theme "to be an officialdom or not". This theme has inheritted Bai Juyi's "Zhongyin" theory and developed into "Liyin" and "Jushi" literature. The forming of "Jushi" spirit of Song writers should attribute to political, economic and cultural environment at that time and the spitital trend of "hiding" tradition. The confusion of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism had set an important principle for this kind of action.Secondly, the .change of demotion theme. On the theme of demotion Tang poets expressed an emotion of rage and affliction, while Song writers was showing a kind of calmness and adaptability. Due to dramatic ambition, Tang poets often suffered a lot when being demoted. In the new background, Song authors with Confucianism assimulated Buddhism and Taoism to adjust their view and outlooks on the world. As a result, they could confront with the reality when they were in plight and find balance of mind and happiness of life, therefore Song intellectuals came to terms with demotion much more easily.Thirdly, the fading of theme of "having talents but cannot be employed". In the feudalistic Chinese society, many poets had an emotion of "having talents butcannot be employed" or such experience, so this theme was universal in literature. But in the new society, the Song intellectuals became maturer and thought more of the nation than of themselves. In addition, the atmosphere of confusion of three religions enabled them to conquer the low spirit. Accordingly the theme of "having talents but cannot be employed" rarely appeared in their masterpieces.