古代中国宗教的基本精神

The Basic Spirit of Chinese Religions in Ancient Times

中国宗教的基本传统在于。古代中国宗教与原始宗教保持了连续性,由此,原始信仰或宗教中的一些基本元素都在以后的中国宗教中得到了体现,其中两个最为重要的方面就是多神信仰和巫术崇拜。上述基本传统在道教、佛教和儒教中均有体现。其中道教的原始信仰品格最为典型。同时,道教与佛教的原始宗教精神还包括两个重要方面:功利主义特征和非理性特征。儒教由于是土生土长的中国宗教,因此也难免原始宗教中的一些陋习,但儒家的无神论色彩和对巫术的斥逐都具有矫正作用。道教和佛教也有与原始或早期宗教不同的部分,这是指其中的伦理内容,具体说是与善恶和惩戒观念相关的内容。但道教和佛教都受到巫术性质和功利主义特征的深刻影响,而佛教还包括精英与大众双重性的困惑以及与此相关的宗教共同体疲弱的深刻原因,这就直接削弱了其伦理性质。对儒教而言,汉代以后善恶二元论逐渐得到确立,并且受佛教影响。宋代以后以家族或宗族这一共同体为基础的惩戒观念与体系也获得建立,这些都担保了儒教伦理成为真正可能。与道教和佛教相比,儒教真正成为一个伦理型宗教。

This paper is concerned with the following four issues. Firstly, the paper discusses the basic traditions of Chinese religions. Secondly, the paper makes it clear that the primitive religious spirit of Taoism and Buddhism includes two important aspects ： features of utilitarianism and those of irrationality. Thirdly, it clarifies the fact that Buddhism also comprises the puzzle of the dual character of the elite and the broad masses, as well as the profound cause of the tired weakness of the relevant religious communities, which immediately reduces its ethical nature. Fourthly, the paper focuses on the viewpoint that in comparison with Taoism and Buddhism, Confucianism has really become a religion with a system of moral principles.