佛教信仰与北朝时期的社会救济

Buddhism belief and social relief in the Northern Dynasties

北朝时期,佛教在北方广为流播。在佛教经典所倡导的福田思想的影响下,广大信众积极投身于社会救济事业。他们通过救助贫乏、赈济饥荒、举办斋会、施医舍药、敛葬贫民等方式,对大乘佛教所倡导的菩萨行思想予以践行。从根本上说,根植于佛教信仰基础上的社会救济是佛教教团传播宗教信仰并促使信众皈依的一种方式,但是,它对于弥补政府在社会保障方面的缺失,打破依靠血缘和地缘维系的联合,缓和社会矛盾,稳定统治秩序都起到了至关重要的作用。

During the period of the Northern Dynasties,a multitude of believers under the influence of Futian thought advocated by Buddhism devoted themselves to social relief.They earnestly practiced Mahayana Bodhisattva thought by helping the poor,relieving famines,holding fast ceremonies,providing medical care and holding ministered funerals for the poor.Social relief was essentially a way for Buddhist organizations to propagate religious belief and attract devotees.However,it played an important role in premeditating the government＇s nonfeasance,breaking up the restriction of consanguinity and region,mitigating social contradictions and maintaining the ruling order.