唐代景教的传教策略及盛衰得失

The Nestorians’ Strategies of Popularizing the Religion–Successes and Failures

景教自唐太宗贞观九年(公元635年)传入长安,至唐武宗会昌五年(公元845年)因皇帝灭佛而同遭禁绝,在华传播长达二百多年。可是,景教在被禁之后,立刻就从中原大地上销声匿迹了,直到明代景教碑出土之后,学者们才逐步挖掘出它的传播历史。是什么原因致使景教在中华历史文化中被彻底湮没了将近八百年呢?文章拟从其传教策略上寻找一些答案。

Jingjiao （Nestorians） was first introduced to Chang＇an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty （618-907 A.D.） in 635 A.D..In order to adjust to the new environment and survive after entering China, Jingjiao had to make every effort to localize itself in China, from its name to its actual being. However, when Tang Wuzong ordered to eliminate Buddhism in 845 A.D. and likewise, Jingjiao was completely banned. Since then, this religion vanished in China with its Stele buried and its scriptures cached.