传说与事实之间:道教与宋代社会的融和

对于道教玄妙而深奥的理论,宋人可能知之甚少,甚或完全无知,但他们却非常熟悉道教的各种外在仪式。随着道士和信奉道教之人大量渗透到民间,普通百姓不仅接触且逐渐接受了道教神秘而诡异的各种道术。在宋代,供奉道教神像的现象并不罕见,人们生老病死的过程似乎都有道教的踪影。在很多宋人心目中,道术有着无比神奇的力量,不仅可以驱鬼治病,还能延年益寿,也可使人与各路神灵直接交流,甚至能消灾纳福等等,几乎无所不能。出于某种功利性的考量,抑或是为了心灵和精神的慰藉,不管出于何种缘由,宋人格外虔诚地举办各种各样的道教仪式,这是宋人日常生活的重要组成部分,也是宋代民间信仰的直接体现,更是宋人精神生活的重要侧面之一。

Between Legend and Reality: The Integration of Taoism and the Society of Sung Dynasty

Common people of Chinese Song dynasty were so familiar with the Taoist ceremony though they just knew a little about the occult and abstruse theory of Taoism. Common people not only contacted but also accepted mysterious and weird Taoist theurgy with Taoists and Taoist believers infiltrating through society. To sacrifice a joss was very popular at that time, people can be influenced by Taoism all their live. Many people believed that Taoist had supernatural power that can exorcise, cure the sickness, gain longevity and communicate with all kinds of supernatural beings even avoid misfortune and have good luck. Because of utilitarian or solatia of soul or just without any reason, people held various kinds of Taoist ceremonies which played an important part in daily life so devoutly. This phenomenon is the important embodiment of social religion and spiritual life.