Talk about the religious beliefs of Tang Dynasty princesses Nearly a quarter of Tang Dynasty princesses were religious
The princesses of the Tang Dynasty, because they were born as the daughters of the Son of Heaven and attracted much attention, enjoyed fame and fortune in the eyes of the world, unrestrained, and were the most enviable group of women, but in fact this was not the case, the fate of the princesses of the Tang Dynasty varied, some developed their own power for a period of time, and even affected the government, and some were downtrodden or fell victim to politics. Therefore, from the perspective of studying the religious beliefs of princesses in the Tang Dynasty, this paper attempts to peel off the veil of religious beliefs and explore the true ideological tendencies of princesses from the depths of their hearts, so as to try to understand the whole picture of the life of princesses in the Tang Dynasty.
The background of the religious beliefs of the princess of the Tang Dynasty.
1.Religious development in the Tang Dynasty.
The Tang Dynasty was the heyday of China's feudal society, with a prosperous economy, strong national strength, and social stability. Against the backdrop of this high degree of prosperity, the spiritual power of the Tang Dynasty reached an unprecedented peak, with 91 Buddhist temples, 16 Taoist temples, 2 Nestorian churches, 1 mosque, and 4 Zoroastrian temples in the capital Chang'an alone. Buddhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Nestorianism, Islam, Manichaeism, folk beliefs and other religions complemented each other, forming a multicultural pattern of complete integration and collision during the Tang Dynasty.
The Tang Dynasty drew on the experience of the early years of the Sui Dynasty and promoted multiculturalism as well as the development of agriculture, culture, and education. As a result, Buddhism spread widely and had a profound impact on society in a relatively liberal cultural environment. However, the development of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty also encountered some difficulties, such as the reign of Wu Zetian, Buddhism made great progress, but it also withered due to the ruthlessness of the imperial power, and the destruction of Buddhism by Tang Wuzong brought a fatal blow to the development of Buddhism.
Although the development of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty did not go well, the Tang rulers mostly advocated it"Three teachings combined.
1. Compassion and equality"。As a result, Buddhism was legalized and developed in the predominantly Taoist Tang Dynasty and gained a large number of adherents. After Tang Wuzong eradicated Buddhism, the power of Buddhism was much less than before, but its influence still existed, and there were still many believers. Taoism, as a local religion with the same influence as Buddhism, was also vigorously developed and flourished during the Tang Dynasty.
During this period, not only the social status of Taoism was greatly improved, but Taoism itself was also developed, Taoist teachings were more complete and theoretical, various Taoist rituals were more complete, and the alchemy of the Tang Dynasty reached an unprecedented scale, as it was called"Taoist alchemy'Times'"。This period is known as Taoist alchemy"Times"There are many people who believe in Taoism, and the scope of application is also very wide, from the Son of Heaven to the ordinary people, and there is a common atmosphere of eating, seeking immortals, and alchemy. Coupled with the stable social environment and affluent life of the Tang Dynasty, this local religion was widely spread during the Tang Dynasty.
2.The objective reasons for the emergence of the religious culture of princesses in the Tang Dynasty.
The total number of princesses in the Tang Dynasty was 212, and among the more than 200 princesses, nearly a quarter of the princesses were religious, and they either had their own religious beliefs or had multiple religious beliefs, and their beliefs were mainly centered on Buddhism and Taoism. The emergence and spread of the trend of religious belief among princesses in the Tang Dynasty was formed in a specific social background.
The sense of freedom and independence of the princesses of the Tang Dynasty is not unrelated to the openness and freedom of the Tang Dynasty. Since there were no restrictions or constraints on women's participation in social activities in a relatively free and open social environment, women in the Tang Dynasty participated in social activities, so religious activities that required contact with people could be carried out smoothly without being affected by the environment, and religious beliefs could also be spread regardless of gender.
Some religious women, such as nuns and chroniclers, were also actively involved in society. Their activities were not limited to Taoist temples and temples, and they could even be seen in the political arena of the Tang Dynasty, and some of them could even enter and leave the court, attracting the attention of a large number of Tang women. Especially for the princesses of the upper class, these are women who lead the trend and dare to try new things, for them, religion is not only a way to obtain spiritual sustenance, but also an important way to express emotions, so religion has become an important choice in the spiritual life of princesses.
Religion should be inseparable from religious activities, supported by a certain cultural literacy, be able to copy sacred scriptures, read and write sacred scriptures and other common religious activities, understand religious connotations and precepts, most of the princesses of the Tang Dynasty received a good education, which is an important foundation for their religious beliefs. A high level of education is conducive to the princess's Xi of religious culture and deepening her understanding of religious doctrines. At the same time, the princesses also influenced each other, such as Ruizong's eldest daughter, Princess Jinxian and Princess Yuzhen, who entered the Tao at the same time and learned Xi Taoism.
The increase in the level of education led to an awakening of self-confidence, which encouraged the princesses to follow a religion that allowed them to show self-confidence, and a religious trend was formed.
The religion of the princesses of the Tang Dynasty.
1.Tang Dynasty princesses and Buddhism.
Followers of Buddhism are divided into:"The Seven"，"The Seven"It is divided into two categories: those who enter the monastery to practice are called"Bhikshunis", commonly known as"Nun"；Those who practice at home are called"Vulgar"。In addition, there is a group of Buddhist women who believe in Buddhism or are deeply influenced by Buddhism, who engage in some Buddhist activities but do not worship Buddha. Most of the princesses who believed in Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty belonged to this category, and they did not enter the monastery to become monks, but practiced at home. Most of the princesses who believed in Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty fell into this category, and they did not enter the temple to become monks, but all practiced at home.
There are 212 princesses who believe in Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty, of which there are 17 princesses who believe in Buddhism, the proportion is higher, the reasons for these seventeen princesses to believe in Buddhism are different, but there are still a few princesses who are recorded, do not believe in Buddhism but believe in Buddhism for various reasons, and the princesses who are closely related to Buddhism before and after their deaths, although there is no record, but these princesses are still branded with Buddhism to a certain extent. The imprint of Buddhism, especially in the context of the prevalence of Buddhism, inevitably had varying degrees of influence on them.
First of all, from the funeral Xi customs after the death of the princess, the religious tendency of the princess can be inferred, the funeral rites of the Tang Dynasty were heavy, especially in the early and middle periods, for the noble princesses, the funeral Xi customs after death, they were more luxurious than the luxury of the people. Princess Changning, Princess Yongshou, and Princess Tang'an were buried as living people after the death of the king's son, and the funeral Xi had a strong Buddhist color. Therefore, it is also very possible that they believed in Buddhism, and it is impossible to avoid living people in order to promote Buddhism, so further historical research is needed on this issue.
Seventeen princesses in the Tang Dynasty believed in Buddhism. In addition to the objective reasons for the development of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty, the reasons for the princesses' belief in Buddhism also varied. Some people believe in Buddhism in order to seek spiritual solace and get rid of suffering;Some believe in Buddhism in order to achieve their goals;Some people believe in Buddhism in order to strengthen their bodies and improve their sexual performance, so their attitude is relatively relaxed.
The reasons why the princesses of the Tang Dynasty believed in Buddhism were roughly as follows. These princesses believe in Buddhism mainly because of their belief in Buddhism, but also because of their devotion to Buddhism, most of them adhere to Buddhist precepts, live a pure life, their lives are centered on Buddhist activities, away from the whirlpool of political struggle, it can be seen that the influence of Buddhism on them is very far-reaching.
Second, pray for blessings. Princesses who pray for blessings and believe in Buddhism account for a large part. Due to the Buddhist concept of karma and reincarnation, believers believe that there is an afterlife after death, so most princesses pray for blessings for their deceased relatives or themselves in addition to praying for blessings and believing in Buddhism. Third, most of the princesses who believed in Buddhism because of their deceased husbands felt the pain of losing their husbands and turned to Buddhism for spiritual solace through religious beliefs. According to the available historical data, Princess Gao'an and Princess Jiguo believed in Buddhism because of this.
2.Tang Dynasty princesses and Taoist beliefs.
The princess of the Tang Dynasty was keen on Taoism, and the princess Chongdao once ascended the Taoist temple, some Taoist princesses lived in the Taoist princess temple far away from the world, and some Taoist princesses also went in and out of forbidden places, and even cared about politics. The royal women of the Tang Dynasty were not the first people in Taoism, as early as the second half of the Zhou Dynasty, there were records of Princess Wumu cultivating the Tao.
The princess of Chongdao in the Tang Dynasty chose to enter the Taoist female crown, which is a female Taoist priest, because the ancient female Taoist priests were called female crowns, and they would rather wear a yellow crown to enter the Tao than a woman not to wear a crown. During the Tang Dynasty, women's entry into the Tao was a relatively common phenomenon, and there were many legends of female Taoists, that is, female fairies, and a large number of palaces and temples were set out to crown Taoist priests"In June of the third year of Kaiyuan, 480 people from the palace were sent to the temples on the two streets to be safeguarded. "What is not known is that in this strong religious atmosphere, it is not surprising that the concubines chose to enter the Tao as the crown.
Regarding the number of concubines mentioned in the Tang Dynasty, there are different opinions in the academic circles: Jiao Jie believes"A total of sixteen concubines entered the Tao", Li Jiayu thinks"As many as twenty-one female Taoist priests saw Tang Taizong's concubine", Zou Liufang thinks"A total of thirteen concubines entered the Tang Dynasty"。Based on the "New Tang Book" and "Tang Hui Yao", and according to historical materials such as the epitaph of princesses in the Tang Dynasty, a total of 16 Taoist princesses with clear historical records are counted.
The princess of the Tang Dynasty chose Taoism, which is rare in China for hundreds of years, which is also such an objective reason, and Taoism is the state religion of the Tang Dynasty, and the princess's choice of Taoism is not the same as being a concubine for personal reasons. Taoism and Buddhism are both religions, in addition to the common reasons such as love for religion, prayer for blessings, and the death of a husband, the characteristics of Taoism also determine that it has a different charm from Buddhism, and the same is true for the princess group.
According to the available historical data, the princesses of the Tang Dynasty converted to Taoism mainly for the following reasons: first of all, they loved Taoism, Princess Jinxian and Princess Yuzhen were the two most famous Taoist princesses in the Tang Dynasty, it is said that they were because of their grandmother Wu Zetian and protected Taoism, in fact, they are all Taoist believers, and the reason why they converted to Taoism is largely because of their love for Taoism. The second way is to pray for blessings. In order to pray for Taoism, Princess Taiping often inadvertently entered Taoism after the death of their relatives in order to seek the protection of Taoism, and her behavior was forced to enter Taoism.
Princess Taiping first entered Taoism in the first year of Xianheng (670), when her grandmother, Mrs. Rongguo, died"Let him meditate on the blessings of Taoism", Princess Taiping was forced to enter the Tao by the establishment of the Taiping Temple in Chang'an. According to the records of "Zizhi Tongjian", in the fourth year of Kaiyuan (716), Princess Wan'an also entered the Tao for the first time:"In June, the emperor collapsed in the Baji Palace. Ji Si, with Princess Wan'an as an official, wants to be blessed"。At that time, Princess Wan'an was only three or four years old, and the main reason for entering the Tao was that the prince could not seek blessings, and did not fully reflect the princess's personal wishes, so it can be said that she was forced to enter the Tao for the sake of blessing.
The religious life of a princess in the Tang Dynasty.
1.Economy**.
Deng Xiaonan pointed out that the princess's religious beliefs and activities must consume a lot of wealth, such as worshipping Buddha statues and building Taoist temples, which are huge economic expenditures that ordinary people can hardly bear"As a kind of consumption, religion still needs the support of economic strength"。
For princesses from wealthy backgrounds, their economic strength is relatively strong, and they have enough wealth to pay for the daily expenses of religious life, and their wealth mainly has three **: the food seal system and the emperor's reward. The princess of the Tang Dynasty lived in the palace before she got married, and the clothing, food, housing and transportation were provided by the royal family"Food seals"System. So-called"Food seals"The system is to divide some peasant households to the princess, and then ask the peasant households for sub-rent, food, goods and silk silk to ensure the survival of the princess.
According to the regulations of the Tang Dynasty, if each person eats the true seal according to the average level of 1,000 households, her annual income can roughly reach 600 stone of millet, 600 zhang of silk, etc., and 900 taels of sheep. In addition to relying on the main economy, the emperor's reward and the princess's dowry, even more than the wealth obtained by relying on the grain seal, is also an important economy of the princess, enough to support the princess's religious activities, the princess must spend a huge amount of money to ensure the normal progress of religious life.
For example, when the popular Princess Taiping entered the Tao, the emperor ordered that the Taiping's cultivation of Daye Fangxu Wang Yuanli Taiping Guanfu be used as a place to reward Princess Taiping, and rewarded a large amount of gold and silver treasures.
2. Religious activities.
Religion itself is an abstract and metaphysical system of thought, and in order to attract more believers, religion often needs an externalized form of expression or objective existence to enhance the sense of existence, so that believers will be more receptive, that is, to carry out religious activities and practices, which can show the various religious feelings of practitioners and the religiousness of believers, so that believers can pursue it.
For princesses with a certain amount of wealth, their activities and practices to express their religious beliefs are even more varied, even extremely extravagant. The belief in Buddhism is inseparable from merit, and merit is the morality of Buddhism. More specifically, they are the result of the combination of good deeds such as the erection of pagodas, temples, statues, chanting, almsgiving, and saving sentient beings with the cycle of cause and effect, chanting, preaching, and writing sutras, as well as other Buddhist practice activities, such as Wu Zetian, after Buddhism was introduced to China"Abandon the floating slaughter, build a tower and build a temple, regardless of the years"Wait a minute.
The Buddhist activities and practices of the princesses of the Tang Dynasty were centered on building temples, statues, burning incense, chanting, etc., which were more pious. There are even some more pious princesses who will eat fasting and chant Buddha, such as Princess Linchuan on her mother's birthday"Often intermittent and spicy", Huainan Princess Ruoxin"Living outside the reef for ten years, there is no day without wealth, and there is not a day without anointing"。This religious practice was usually limited to upper-class Buddhists, as the construction of temples required a lot of money. Wealthy princesses spent large sums of money to build Buddhist temples, stupas, or monasteries, which became a fashionable Buddhist activity. For example, in order to inherit the last wish of her deceased husband, Princess Changguang of the Tang Dynasty built Chongyi Temple in the third year of Wude (620) for Zhao Qiying, the commander of the horses, in Changshoufang.
There are also some princesses who like to make statues for Buddhism. "Most of the Buddha statues are Buddha statues or wall carvings with the name of the donor and the purpose of the offering engraved on them"。In the twenty-eighth year of Tianbao (740), Princess Yongmu"Qin cast bronze bells, respectfully for the emperor to build a pure land statue"and decorate with gems and **.
Summary. The different religious beliefs of the princesses of the Tang Dynasty not only reflect the richness of the religion of the Tang Dynasty, but also reflect the richness of the spiritual world of the princesses. Their religious beliefs come from the heart and are also influenced by the social environment. The seemingly picturesque rich woman has also suffered unspeakable pain and despair. As a kind of spiritual comfort, religion itself enriches the spiritual life of the princesses, and the extensive religious activities of the princess group have also led to the religious belief and practice of the entire society women's group.