试论中国古代的民间宗教

宗教分为官方承认的合法宗教和未经官方承认的民间宗教两大类。中国古代的合法宗教主要是佛、道二教，民间宗教则种类繁多。合法宗教是正教，而民间宗教往往被视为邪教。中国古代的民间宗教源远流长，其形成并风行的原因主要是弱势人群需要有精神寄托，其教主可分为八种类型。根治民间宗教风行的办法是对百姓“富之”与“教之”，对于违法的邪教教主则应绳之以法。

A Study of Folk Religions in Ancient China

There are two types of religions:officially-acknowledged religions and folk religions without the governmental recognition. The former type in Ancient China mainly referred to Buddhism and Taoism whereas the latter type had a grea t variety. The former was considered as orthodox and the latter evil cults. Neve rtheless, folk religions had a long history. The main reason for their popularit y was that the disadvantaged needed spiritual sustenance. Their founders can be classified into eight types. To effect a radical cure of the prevalence of folk religions, we should make people rich and then educate them. The founders of evil cults who break the law should be sent to court.