Influence Of Taoism On Xiapu Manichaeism

Manichaeism was founded by Mani in Persia in the 3rd century AD.It actively absorbed the teachings of Zoroastrianism,Christianity,Gnosticism,Buddhism and other major religions,and integrated them into its belief system of " two substances and three time period",forming a unique and all-embracing religious system.Manichaeism was formally introduced into China in the late 7th century,experienced the rise and fall,and was introduced to Fujian by Master Hulu after the Buddhism disaster of Huichang.After several changes,Manichaeism gradually disappeared in the records of ancient Chinese history.However,since October 2008,a large number of Manichaeism manuscripts have been discovered in Xiapu,Pingnan,Fuqing and other places in Fujian,which changes the previous academic view that there is hardly any other reliable information about Manichaeism later than that recorded in Min Shu by He Qiaoyuan.And through the study of these Manichaeism manuscripts,gradually follow the clue for the question research of "influence of Taoism on Manichaeism" before then.Of all the manuscripts,the Zoushen dieshu kece written later has a strong Taoist color,therefore,as the main object of study,this paper focus on the work of recording,proofreading and defining the attributes and forming period,and use other Xiapu manuscripts to discusses the problem of "influence of Taoism on Xiapu Manichaeism" from three aspects of theogonies,religious rites and cosmology,and proves that this topic does exist.On the basis of this,it also expounds the historical development at that periods,the unique geographical characteristics and multi-culture of Fujian,to analyzes the reasons why Xiapu Manichaeism can survive,develop in Fujian and finally integrate into the local folk culture.In general,as a foreign religion,the localization of Manichaeism is not overnight,but a gradual process.The whole process of cultural evolution is very representative,from absorbing more Buddhist contents at the beginning,to gradually absorbing Taoist and folk customs and beliefs in Fujian,and finally integrating into local culture.When the "Zoushen die Shu kece" was written,the influence of Taoism on Xiapu Manichaeism showed an absolute advantage in the localization of Manichaeism.This is probably due to two reasons.Firstly,in the spread of Buddhism and Taoism,their status fluctuated with the change of time.In the prosperous era of Buddhism,Manichaeism was absorbed Buddhism content more.In the Song Dynasty,Taoism was prosperous,Manichaeism gradually turned to the Taoism,it also shows that the author of Xiapu manuscripts urgently wanted Manichaeism to be accepted by the local people.Secondly,because of the influence of cultural characteristics in the Fujian.Fujian is located in the coastal and numerous folk Taoism factions,and the Buddhism and Taoism from the Central Plains will also integrated into the Fujian folk religion,which makes the Fujian folk Taoism shows the characteristics of an integration of Buddhism and Taoism.As Manichaeism gradually took root and multiplied in Fujian,it was inevitable that Manichaeism in Xiapu would be more influenced by local folk beliefs and customs,so it is not surprising that Manichaeism in Xiapu is compatible with Buddhism and Taoism and more inclined to Taoism.