Study On Buddhism Liberation Of Captive Animals In Present Urban Life

Today,the Liberation of Captive Animals activities of Buddhists are growing increasingly popular all over the country,which have developed into a widely concerned folk belief and social phenomenon.Shanghai,as an international metropolis,witnesses various kinds of Liberation activities that happen every day.Taking the Liberation of Captive Animals activities of Shanghai Bodhi Group as an object,this paper analyzes the size,characteristics and operation modes of the current urban Liberation activities of Buddhists through field investigation,;at the same time,combining with the Religious Studies,Folklore Studies and Psychology,this paper explores the social psychological mechanism,origins of beliefs and social problems caused by the urban Liberation of Captive Animals activities.This paper suggests that the animal release activities proceed by Buddhists are not only the inheritance and evolution of traditional religious culture in current socio-cultural background,they're also a "Convenient Way" for modern people to get rid of pressure in daily life,to seek spiritual moska(get rid of worry),even to treat mental or physical illness,and find sustenance in life and death.The interpretation of Buddhism provides an explanation system for the Liberation of Captive Animals activities,involves "accumulating blessings and eliminating sufferings" and"accumulating virtue to eliminate sufferings".In this explanation system,the karma(cause and effect)could be transformed by participating in release activities.The physical experience of participants indicates that through the setting and switching of the ritual space,the dramatic transformation from "death" to "life",the participants map the experience of the animals to themselves,thus feel relaxed and free accordingly.As such,the rite of Liberation of Captive Animals is able to work as a belief and folk belief therapy to realize its purpose to modulate the participants'mental and physical states.The frequent activities also reflect the pressure of life,beliefs status,cultural identity and identity attribution of urban people.However,many chaotic liberation activities and the relevant ecological and social problems caused also reflect the blindness and confusion of urban people in their belief and culture life.