The Ancient Chinese Novels And Folk Religions

As a popular kind of literature, novel bears natural and close relation to the non-governmental religion. Based on peasantry and working class, the non-governmental religion reflects drastic opposition and people's groans of tribulation. But since a long period of time, few people pay attention to the connection between the non-governmental religion and the classical literature of our country. This has to be a pity. This thesis tries to do a elementary discussion toward the connection between the Maitreya Society,the White Lotus Society and the Eight Diagrams Society which achieve theirs zenith in Yuan Dynasty,Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty and the classical novel of our country. This thesis also tries to penetrate some characteristics of the non-governmental religion during its spread through these three societies.