391 Term Paper First Draft: Religion In Chinese History

Name: Hanluo Wang
Professor: Kristin Stapleton
Course: AS391
Date: 11-20-2017
Religion in Chinese History
Religion occupied a significant place in Chinese history as it influenced politics. There are a number of religions that have characterized the history of China which in one way or another influenced politics of the day. The major ones that were common in the Chinese society include Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. This paper seeks to examine the religious practices in practice in the history of China and how their connection with politics. Major focus of this is on the relationship between politics and religion during Ming Dynasty. Therefore, a deep examination of literature is used to identify relevant information that relates links religion with politics in Ming Dynasty. While the Chinese history is mainly characterized by Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, there are other religions and sects like Catholicism, Islam, and Lo Chiao that were also present during the Ming Dynasty. The paper will also seek to examine the religious practices of the Coastal people during the Ming dynasty. It is the argument of this paper that while religion was strongly related to politics, it did not has significant impact on its course.
During the Ming dynasty, government officials would offer sacrifices regularly to deities. After the deterioration of the Mongol rule, there was the rise of the Ming Dynasty that would lead China in the course for close to 300 years. Zhu (1368-1398) was a significant figure in the Ming Dynasty and possessed strong religious beliefs (Adler). Zhu developed strict laws that sought to control the rise of popular practices during his reign. According to him, it was the Heaven that established him an emperor in a long line of sacred rulers. Zhu’s ancestors were considered powerful intermediaries with Shangdi. During his reign, the government officials had the role of offering regular sacrifices to deities of natural forces, fertility, and cities. Abandoned ghosts and spirits of heroes were offered sacrifices to (Adler). It is evident that religion characterized to a great extent the reign of Zhu. Given that government officials had the responsibility of offering sacrifices to deities, it is clear that the religion was a big part of the beginnings of the Ming Dynasty. It is evident, therefore, that religion had connection with politics during Ming Dynasty.
During the Ming Dynasty, the religious lives of the people were mainly influenced by economy monetization and agricultural diversification (Adler). These factors ensured there were funds to print scriptures, build temples, and invest in popular religion. During Ming’s time, cultural and economic initiatives were popular more than ever before. This is due to the high competition that was present among small entrepreneurs. Religion was impacted as a result, and monks like Yunqi Zhuhong (1535-1615) authored morality books that affirmed Confucian in Buddhist framework (Adler). As such, Buddhism was integrated into the Chinese society. A factor that helped this integration was the approval by the government of monks to perform rituals for the people. It is important to note that Taoism was also supported by the state. As such, the religion became significantly popular as a result of the support of the government. As informed by Adler, all the emperors throughout the Ming supported Taoism. This was seen in the way Taoist priests were appointed by the emperor to lead rituals and compose messages and hymns for the gods. As mentioned above, the government approved monks to conduct rituals for the people. This approval of the monks shows that the government was concerned religion. As such, it is deducible that religion was connected to politics.
An event that connects politics to religion during is the tale of twin melons as examined by Sarah Schneewind. The author bases her book on an event that happened in 1372 where officials handed over to the Zhu a pair of “twin melons.” The melons had grown from the same stalk, and this was considered a lucky omen. The two fruits had been discovered in Zhang Guan’s garden, which was not was from Nanjing, the imperial capital. Those who were in attendance when the twin fruits were handed over to the emperor assigned meanings to them in relation to his reign. Schneewind focuses on stories written regarding the event. With many stories written about the event, the connection of beliefs and politics during Ming Dynasty is evident. The version of Zhu of the event downplays the role of his officials who brought to two fruits to him. The emperor in his writing of the event asserts on the role of the farmer and notes that the heavens rewarded his hard work through the twin melons. In another version of the story by Song Lian, the melons are shown to symbolize the expansion and military successes of the Chinese people. From these two versions of the stories, the aspect of beliefs come in as the melons are considered to represent success. From the Song Lian’s version, a connection between politics and religion is evident in that the two melons event is believed to have signified the Chinese successes. The link between the Emperor and Jurong is evident also in the book by Schneewind. The ancestors of the Emperor originated from Jurong, and during the civil war in 1356, he had stopped nearby where he received a lucky omen from Cishan, a local deity. When he came to the throne, the Emperor ensured that officials were sent to honor the local deity. Therefore, with the leadership of Zhu obeying the local deities by sending officials to honor it, it is evident that politics had a connection with religion. It is deducible that Zhu considered his reign was connected to religion. The twin melon event, therefore, depicted the interplay between politics and religion. The actors involved in the event considered the melons as a significant intent of the heavens. Their interpretation of the event, however, was related to the political interests of the Emperor. Therefore, from the event, a connection between religion and politics can be seen during Ming Dynasty.
The Lo Chiao also characterized the relationship between religion and politics to a great extent. In a journal article, Overmyer examines Lo Chiao, one of the sects present during the Ming Dynasty. A lay Buddhist Lo Ch’ing founded the group and he started preaching and writing scriptures in a way that appealed to many people (Overmyer 285).The groups of followers that gathered around Lo was made of boatmen as well as farmers. Therefore, the article by Overmyer can be used to understand the religious practices of the coastal people during the Ming Dynasty. According to Overmyer, sects such as Lo Chiao were instrumental in the spread of Mahayana Buddhist religious ideas and the way of salvation for the common people in the Chinese society during the Ming Dynasty (285). They provided focus for hope and belief for the people.
Although Lo Chiao began as popular Buddhism sect in Shantung, it had reached eastern and northern China by late sixteenth century. The spread of the sect led to hostility from orthodox Buddhists as well as the government. Lo Chiao was seen as a threat to developing ways of social and thought organization. For this reason, it received opposition from the government and orthodox Buddhists. Lo Chiao appealed to the boatmen during Ming Dynasty because they were also soldiers and they lived a hard life. As noted by Overmy...