论明代中后期的鬻牒度僧

On the System of Yudiedu Monks in the Middle and Late Ming Period

明代中期以后,实行鬻牒度僧。景泰、天顺年间,是鬻牒度僧初行时期;成化至正德年间,是鬻牒度僧基本确立时期。嘉靖以后,是鬻牒度僧普遍推行时期。户部及督抚等官是鬻牒度僧的主要倡议和推动者,礼部及僧录司等官开始多反对鬻牒,至正德以后也转而同意,而皇帝则可分为拒绝型、摇摆型、坚持型三类。明代中后期的鬻牒度僧,一定程度上缓解了财政危机,对巩固国防、保障百姓生活有一定积极意义;大量鬻牒度僧,使僧团冗滥混杂,对生产发展、社会稳定也起了阻碍作用;它与试度共同造就了明朝庞大的僧团,维系着佛教表面的繁盛;大量鬻牒度僧,导致僧众素质低下,佛学进一步衰微。对于明代社会来说,鬻牒度僧的积极意义是主要的;对于佛教来说,其消极作用更大。

There are several stages for the system of Yudiedu Monks in Ming dynasty： the beginning stage in Jingtai and Tianshun period, the establishment stage in Chenghua and Zhengde period, the development period after Jiajing period. The Ministry of Household and the Governor -general and Provincial Governors supported this system but the Ministry of Rites and the Monks Departnent opposed it until Zhengde period, while different emperor took different attitudes to this system. This system is positive to mitigate the financial crisis and to reinforce the frontier, however, it is negative to the Buddhism＇ s development since large quantity Yudiedu Monks reduce the monks quality.