智■的弥勒信仰探讨

Study on Maitreya Belief of Zhi Yi

弥勒信仰,自印度传入中国,佛经说他受记于佛,留住世间为后人决疑;弥勒为未来佛,久后从兜率天下生人间,建立美好世界。魏晋南北朝时期,弥勒信仰因此在僧侣与王室间普遍流行。后来,民间起义利用弥勒下生建立美好社会的信条,引发了统治阶级的残酷镇压和严厉政策;再加上隋唐以后中国佛教宗派的兴起,它们运用判教的方式,断定弥陀信仰优于弥勒信仰。从此弥陀信仰普遍流布,弥勒信仰淡出佛教史。从现存的资料看,天台智■弥勒信仰的思想轨迹正好与以上的历史进程相吻合。

Maitreya belief spread from India was asked too solve problems in the world by Buddha.Maitreya was the future Buddha who was born in the world to build perfect world.In Wei and Jin Dynasty,Maitreya belief was popular by monks and royal family.Then,as it was used as codes to building perfect society by folk uprising,Maitreya belief was overwhelmed by ruling class.Besides,Chinese Buddhism was popularized in Sui and Tang dynasty,Amitābha belief was more accepted than maitreya belief.By studying literature,the ideology track of Tiantai Zhi Yi Maitreya belief keeps the consistent with the history.