The Buddhism Of The Six Dynasties And The Social Life In The Middle And Lower Reaches Of Yangtze River

During the Six Dynasties, Buddhism had been introduced into the mid and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In the early stages of introduction, Buddhism and Chinese traditional culture have experienced an important period. In order to adapt to the Chinese local culture, the Buddhism had to adjust themselves to strengthen constantly. Based on the traditional institutions and values, the Chinese local culture had taken a tolerance attitude to Buddhism and been in coexistence with it at the same time within limited space. As a result, Buddhism had started its sinicized process and made a great impact on public life.In the respects of drapery, the use of U-shape collars and ribbons, which were inspired by the drapery of Buddhist statues, had been widely applied in public life, and combined with the style of the dress of an ancient scholar in the Southern Dynasties. Meanwhile, the Flying Apsaras hair and “sum Huang” have showed the obvious characteristics of Buddhism. Compared with the Chinese traditional system, Buddhism had brought more open and ethereal style. As for diets, the vegetarianism of Buddhism had been gradually infiltrated into the secular society. Its outstanding performance is in Simple life and worshipping without killing animals, so it had exercised an influence on the social atmosphere at that time. In terms of architecture, the temple architectures have occurred, which were full of the nature of Buddhism. But they were found on the foundation of the southern Chinese traditional loft-style buildings and be of the typical Chinese characteristics. In the respects of articles for daily use, firstly, a great deal of translation and copying work about Buddhist scriptures have boosted the heavy use of paper. So this phenomenon would further promote the papermaking technology’s improvement. Secondly, the enlightened monks’ manners and Buddhist statues’ posture of sitting had been accepted and imitated by people. So all of these have advanced the changes of the traditional furniture and the posture of sitting. Thirdly, the decoration themes of Buddhism had been reflected in the large amount of articles for daily use, such as green porcelain and bronze mirror. All of these have showed the wide influences of Buddhism.Therefore, in the early stage of the introduction, the Buddhism’s influences have already entered the aspects of public life. With the deep development of Buddhism and its accomplishment of localization, the influence of Buddhism on public life will be further.