A Study On Dunhuang Folk Beliefs In The Tang, Five Dynasties And Early Song Dynast

The scriptures in Dunhuang literature mainly include Buddhist scriptures and Taoist scriptures.Although they are very different in content and form,they both play the role of teaching and guiding the seculars.They are one of the important means to expand the religious influence of Buddhism and Taoism in Dunhuang area,and also important historical materials to investigate the secularization of Buddhism and Taoism in Dunhuang area.Through the investigation of the content of scriptures taught by Buddhism and Taoism in Dunhuang literature,it can be seen that the hell view,filial piety view,pure land belief,Bodhisattva belief,auspicious culture belief and fairy belief were popular in Dunhuang area in medieval times,and there was a trend of the integration of Confucianism,Buddhism and Taoism.From the nature and function of the scriptures in Dunhuang literature,along with the dissemination process of Buddhism and Taoism in Dunhuang area,when attracting the public and expanding the religious market,Buddhist and Taoist religious groups,based on their own religious positions and tenor,also actively utilize the existing elements of folk beliefs in Dunhuang area to further expand their dissemination scope and influence in the public groups.However,from the perspective of Dunhuang people,with the constant changes of their own living conditions and social effects of religion,they generally show a tendency of diversification in the choice of faith.