论“三教”到“三教合一”

On the 'Three Religions' and 'Three Religions Combine into one'

三教概念的发展,可分几个阶段,即魏晋南北朝、唐宋、元明清.在最初阶段,虽然有三教的连称,不过彼此是独立的;中间阶段是一个过渡的阶段,主要在于彼此内在意识上的流通融合;只有最后阶段才出现真正宗教形态上的三教合一和'三教合一'的概念.从三教到三教合一观念的变化,可以察看到中国社会的一些发展动态.

“Three Religions” is a aggregate title of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. This title which first applied on the documents in Wei and Jin dynasties was a symbol of the useful relationships of these religions. But “Three religions Combine Into One” as a concept which emerged in Ming dynasty is not equal to “Three Religions”, because it also embodied a new sect which included the three teachings at that time.