弘治初年祀典厘正论初探

An Analysis of the Ritual Controversy during the Hongzhi Period of the Ming Dynasty

明初制定的以儒家思想为核心的祀典体系在永乐以后逐渐变化。抵弘治初年,一批士大夫针对祭祀体系中积聚已深的佛、道、杂神崇拜等因素,要求废弃不符合明初祀典精神的祭祀对象、汰除渎礼、清理祭祀方式和人员。其批评的现象主要是各种渗透于国家祀典的非儒家信仰活动,批评的行为主体则是皇帝为核心的贵族。孝宗对士大夫厘正祀典的呼吁略示赞同,但并未认真采纳。尽管如此,弘治时期国家祭祀活动,仍是明中叶最接近洪武旧制精神的。明中期关于祭祀体系的这场争论,反映士大夫政治与皇权政治,儒家信仰与佛、道以及杂神崇拜等观念的深刻冲突,此为明代政治文化的一个内在特征。

Since Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, new elements against the spirit of Confucian principles penetrated into the state sacrificial system. By the early years of the Hongzhi period,a group of Confucian officials requested serious and systematical correction of the chaotic state ritual system. These requests aimed directly at the elimination of the worships of the Buddhist, Taoist and folk religious deities from the sacrificial system. Suggestions included exclusion of the heretic objects of worship, reduction of the superfluous ritual procedures and ceremonies,and getting rid of the religious clerks from the positions handliug the ritual system. Emperor Hougzhi first showed partial support to the Confucian officials, yet little serious actions were taken. Even so, thanks to the efforts of the Confucian officials, Hougzhi period was the closest follower of the Hongwu policy in the middle of the Miug Dynasty. This controversy reflects the internal and profound confliction of the Confucian political culture with the non- Confucian beliefs.