Ancient Chinese novels and folk religions

Abstract

This article traces the relationship between ancient Chinese novels and folk religions. Also this article will show how folk religions spread using the White Lotus Order and the Eight Trigram Order as two examples. The author draws the following conclusions. Firstly, as “popular literature”, ancient novels have a kind of natural connection with folk religions; secondly, the novels involving folk religions featured stories of persecution from feudal rulers; thirdly, when novelists write about the spread of folk religions, they often obscure the true nature of religions; fourthly, the connection between ancient novels and folk religions is incredibly complex.

摘要

白莲教、 卦教为主要对象, 中国古代小说与民间宗教的关系作了初步考察, 论民间宗教传播中的某些特征之后, 可以得出以下认识: 一、 为俗文学的古代小说与民间宗教有着一种天然的联系。 二、这些涉及民间宗教的小说大都站在封建统治的立场上, 把民间宗教视为“邪教”。 三、 这些小说在写及民间宗教传播过程时, 民间宗教的性质反而被模糊和异化了。 四、 古代小说与民间宗教的联系涉及到很多方面, 其中的情形非常复杂。