The Study Of The Buddhism Distribution In Xiangxi During The Late Ming And Early Qing Dynasty

The late Ming and early Qing dynasty has witnessed the boom and prosperity of Buddhism in Xiangxi.There was a galaxy of temples and the monks were very active at that period in Xiangxi.However,the differences of the geographical distribution of Buddhism have been distinct in Xiangxi inner areas.This thesis intends to explore the causes for the differences based on the analysis of the temples and the monks.During the late Ming and early Qing dynasty,ancient temples were densely distributed in Yuanling of Chen state,Huitong of Jing State as well as Zhijiang and Qianyang in Yuan state.In contract,in the four counties of Yongshun together with Fenghuang,Yongsui and Qianzhou,the ancient temples were sparsely distributed.During the late Ming and early Qing dynasty,the activities of the monks have been frequent.And the monks of Poshan zen Linji Sectarian in Xiangxi have been extremely active in Huitong in Jing state,Yuanling in Chen state,Zhijiang in Yuan state,spreading to Suining in Jing state,Qianyang in Yuan state and Chenxi in Chen state.The activities of other unknown sectarian monks centered on Zhijiang and Qianyang in Yuan state,spreading widely as far as to Xiangxiang city of Hunan province and Zhejiang province.There are many factors,such as natural,economic,political and unique cultural ones,that lead to the difference of the Buddhism's geographical distribution in Xiangxi.In terms of natural environment,the temples are mainly distributed in the mountain basin and Impact basin,especially in the Mayang of Yuanling and Xupu basin where the conditions are superior.In terms of human environment,there are many temples and monks in Huitong in Jing state,Luxi and Yuanling in Chen state,Zhijiang and Qianyang in Yuan state,with prosperous economy,convenient transportation,dense population and highly open culture.In addition,Yuanling and Zhijiang are respectively the political centers of Chen and Yuan state,and the local officials are active in providing support for Buddhism,which also contribute to the galaxy of temples and the frequent activities of the monks.