Buddhism And Local Society In Jiangxi In The Song Dynasty

There were many Buddhist monasteries in Jiangxi in the Song Dynasty.Buddhist monasteries are spread all over Jiangxi.There are Buddhist monasteries from the county to the countryside.The number of Buddhist temples in the north is more than that in the south.Buddhist temples are more concentrated around Poyang Lake and Lushan Mountain.The distribution of Buddhist monasteries is closely related to factors such as economic,cultural,topography and transportation.Buddhist monasteries are mostly located in economically developed,populous,scenic mountains or major roads.The economic development and growing population of Jiangxi in the Song Dynasty provided the foundation for the spread of Buddhism and the construction of temples,which was an important factor for the overall number of buddhist temples in Jiangxi.Meanwhile,the terrain of Jiangxi was mainly hills and mountains,which provided natural conditions for the site selection of Buddhist temples.The interaction between Buddhism and local society in Jiangxi region in the Song Dynasty,mainly embodied in the construction of the temple and its sources of funds,the Buddhist faith,to attract the local people and followers of Buddhist activities participation,local officials and scholars who's attitude towards Buddhism,Buddhism's influence on the local social customs and the conflict with local society,etc.In the process of the development of local society,Buddhism will have an impact on the ethos of local society and lead the local people to do good deeds and accumulate virtues,but it will also lead to the condemnation of scholar-officials,or conflict with the local society,resulting in the encroachment of monasteries and the suspicion of buddhist karma.Buddhism's thoughts of pursing all sentient beings and the concept of blessing and recompense are important driving forces for monks to participate in local public welfare undertakings.Buddhism is widely spread in Jiangxi with a large number of followers.Monks have a unique advantage in raising funds and have enough time to devote to public welfare.The public welfare undertakings participated by Buddhist monks in Jiangxi in the Song Dynasty mainly included the construction and maintenance of bridges and water conservancy facilities,the function of accommodation of Buddhist temples,and the relief and medical treatment.