Research On Chinese Buddhist Temples Of Yunnan Province In Ming Dynasty

The Chinese Buddhism of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty has played a bridging role in the history of Yunnan Buddhism,of which its influence even continues to this day.Chinese Buddhism of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty has not been paid enough attention for a long time,senior scholars such as Chen Yuan and Fang Guoyu are the only scholars who have left a small number of research results about Chinese Buddhism of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty.There is still a large research space for it.As an important place to promote the spread and development of Buddhism,a significant space to carry Buddhist culture,and a crucial window to gain insight into the relationship between Buddhism and national society,studying temples is of great significance to objectively understand Buddhism and deepen the research on regional society.However,the academic circles have not yet carried out special research on the Chinese Buddhist temples of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty,and the temples are a particularly weak field in the study of Yunnan Buddhism.Therefore,this thesis combines four historical materials of the temples of Yunnan Province in Ming Dynasty,as well as a large number of Buddhist inscriptions,temple records,and travel notes of celebrities.It comprehensively reviews the conditions,quantity,distribution,regulation,economy,monk activities and their influence on the development of Chinese Buddhist temples of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty.Meanwhile,it also attempts to comprehensively reflect the historical features of Chinese Buddhist temples of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty in order to supplement the research results of Buddhist temples of Yunnan.This thesis uses the method of historical research and literature research,outlining the development of Buddhist temples in different periods of Ming Dynasty.The temples in representative areas are analyzed to show the interaction between the Buddhist temples and the national society in detail.Field investigation was carried out on some temples left in Ming Dynasty to collect first-hand information,especially the use of some existing inscriptions that have not been recorded in books,so as to supplement the deficiencies of official historical records.The main content of this thesis is divided into six parts.Part One introduces the social and historical conditions of the development of Chinese Buddhist temples in Yunnan in Ming Dynasty.All social situations will be analysed,inculding the implementation of Buddhist policies,political setup,economic development,prosperity of culture and education,strong Buddhist belief among the people,as well as the principle issues of Acarya monks.It is found that the development of temples was not only supported by relevant social conditions,but also protected and advocated by Ming rulers.Among them,the rulers adopted various measures to support the Chinese Buddhism of Yunnan,which is an important reason for the development of temples.Part Two sorts out the number and distribution of Buddhist temples in Yunnan in each period of Ming Dynasty.The total number of temples in the late Ming Dynasty in the first count is much more than 800.This number is very high compared with the number of temples in Nanjing and Beijing where Buddhism flourished at that time,which confirms that Chinese Buddhism really flourished in Yunnan in Ming Dynasty.However,such development is not balanced.In general,it forms the quantity growth trend of "total increase but imbalance" and regional distribution characteristic of "large dispersion,small concentration".The increased temples are mainly concentrated in most parts of central Yunnan and parts of western Yunnan and southern Yunnan.The temples all over Yunnan province form a "five-level" gradient distribution pattern.It reflects that the prosperity of Yunnan Buddhism in Ming Dynasty only appeared in some specific areas,while its distribution over the whole province was not equal.Part Three summarizes the basic characteristics of Chinese Buddhist temple architecture and temple system of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty.The thesis points out that the Chinese Buddhist temples of Yunnan not only inherit the characteristics of the inland temples,but also integrate some regional cultural characteristics from the architectural layout and configuration to the internal organization,education and activities.Meanwhile,the internal regulation of temples develops in the direction of standardization,which provides a relatively unified mode for the establishment and operation of temples in various places.Part Four investigates the economic activities of Chinese Buddhist temples of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty.The fields of the temple were directly protected by the imperial court,which reflects that the Ming rulers had specific measures to support the economic development of Buddhist temples in Yunnan.The main sources of temple fields were donation by Danapati,purchase by monks,reclamation by monks and lay people,etc.This thesis does not find any temple with more than a few thousand acres of land,which reflects that there was no large temple economy in "plant-style" in Yunnan during Ming Dynasty,and most temples managed their land in the form of small-scale leasing or self-farming.It shows that the overall economic trend of Chinese Buddhist temples of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty is weak.At the same time,the temple economy was also facing the situation of being invaded by the secular economy,which also reflects the fragility of the temple economy.Part Five describes the social activities of Chinese Buddhist monks of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty.The social interaction of monks with the emperor,officials,local families and other groups gained more support for the monastery.Simultaneously,the Buddhist activities of monks strengthened the exchange of Buddhist culture between Yunnan and the mainland and other neighboring provinces.It also expanded the influence of Buddhist culture in various parts of the Yunnan province,thus driving the development of the temples.This thesis holds that the activities of monks not only gathered many social resources to support the development of temples,but also expanded the social influence of related temples,and these well-known temples further promoted the spread of Buddhism in Yunnan.Part Six explores the influence of Chinese Buddhist temples of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty on the development of frontier society.It is considered in this thesis that the temples objectively promote national unity,ethnic unity,border stability and foreign exchanges in the social development of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty.Meanwhile,the development of the temple also brings a negative impact.It would consume social wealth,and increase the burden of people.The overall study of Chinese Buddhist temples of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty is firstly helpful to understand the characteristics,laws and trends of the spread and development of Chinese Buddhism of Yunnan in Ming Dynasty.Secondly,it is established on the idea of "understand the temples from all aspects becides Buddhism",which deeply analyzes the mechanism,ways and effects of the interaction between Buddhism and the national society.Thirdly,the connection with history and reality as well as the focus on the positive efforts of temples,can be made to manage temples according to the law,guide monks to establish a sense of patriotism and love religion,and promote the interpretation of Buddhist principles in China,so as to provide inspiration for promoting the healthy inheritance of Buddhism and the practice of Buddhism in China.Therefore,the in-depth study of the temple has academic value,historical value and practical significance.