民国时期常州天宁寺研究

A Study of Changzhou Tianning Temple in the Period of the Republic of China

常州天宁寺是我国著名的佛教寺院。自唐朝初年创立以来,历经1300多年依然香火相续。进入社会动荡的民国时期,天宁寺在沿革、僧人、经济、文化等各个方面都呈现出了民国的时代特点。虽然经历了一些曲折,但就总体上而言,没有受到较大冲击,并且在此基础上得到平稳发展。僧才辈出,在宗教界有一定的影响;庙产兴旺,在地方上有一定的实力。民众信仰,名家留墨,堪称繁荣,不啻为该时期江南丛林之典型。

The Changzhou Tianning Temple is a famous Buddhist temple. Founded in the early years of the Tang Dynasty, it enjoys a history of more than 1300 years. Together with Yangzhou Gaomin Temple, Zhenjiang Jinshan Temple, Ningbo Tiantong Temple, it is called ＂The Four Temples of Zen＂. In the unrest period of the Republic of China, Tianning Temple presented the characteristics of the times in every respect, namely history, monk, economy, culture and so on. Experiencing some difficulties, on the whole, it was not impacted seriously and developed steadily. It has great monks in large numbers and has certain effect on religion. The property grows and it has certain influence in Changzhou. The public believes in it and celebrities create many calligraphy works and paintings about it. It has become the typical temple in the south of the Yangtze River.