唐代僧人与科举

有唐一代,文人因科举而逃禅与僧人因科举而还俗屡见不鲜。相对僧人还俗后的坎坷,道士还俗后确多显荣。随着科举考试渐趋激烈,对僧道还俗应举之事,由唐初的“不问僧俗”,而变为宋初的“贡举人内为僧道者,并须禁断”。唐代僧人除了亲自参与科举考试外,还以种种方式影响科举。唐代试经度僧制度深受科举影响,其中有僧人试经得赐明经出身者。

Buddhist Monks in Tang Dynasty and Keju

In Tang Dynasty,it was not unusual that due to Keju(the imperial examination conducted from Sui to Qing Dynasty in China) scholars became Buddhist monks and Buddhist monks resumed secular life.In contrast to Buddhist monks' life full of frustrations after resuming secular life,most Taoist priests were more celebrated and honored.As the competition in Keju became intenser and intenser,the policy of allowing Buddhist monks and Taoist priests to enter for Keju in Tang Dynasty was transformed into a prohibitive one in early Song Dynasty.Buddhist monks in Tang Dynasty influenced Keju in various ways,and meanwhile the examination of Buddhist classics was influenced by Keju.The status of Mingjin was conferred on those Buddhist monks who passed the examination.