Zen Belief And The Local Society In Yichun Jiangxi

This article attempted to analyze the context of Zen`s Dharma teaching and the three Zen ancestral chamber`s constructed in Yichun,then to explore the interaction between Zen and Yichun local society.In the mid-late period of Tang Dynasty,with population growth,economic development and cultural prosperity in Yichun,Zen set down roots and expanded gradually.It was based on the diversity of the geographical conditions,economic and human environment,Zen spread widely in Yichun.Especially scholar-bureaucrat`s fondness for Zen promotes it`s development.Meanwhile,there are so many folk beliefs existing in Yichun,the conflict and integration of Zen and Yangshan god presents a harmonious prospect as the two beliefs existing in the same space.Those efficacious stories not only underline the active interaction between Zen and Yichun local society,but also show the process of economic development and the changes of ecological environment.In the earlier middle Song Dynasty,it reaches a climax of dynasty`s reward to Yichun Zen,also the three zen ancestral chambers became more grander,and the rise in the number of people come to study Dharma.During that same time,Zen spreaded further and faster from Yichun,it laid foundation for the social identity of “three zen ancestral chambers”.That shows that it was at its height during the earlier middle Song Dynasty,and flagging in late Song Dynasty.In Song Dynasty,the government relaxed controls on the land and the population,privatising rural land became more common,and the tenancy relationships established further,Zen landlord estate economy featuring Zen agriculture and Zen tea is the production of this era.In Ming and Qing Dynasties,Yichun Zen was gradually weakened,such as some temples failed at last,and it aroused contradictory conflict between Zen and Yichun local society.Certainly,strong support of local gentry and family for Zen made it continuously maintained.