选择神祇:明代公祀体系的包容与排斥——以地方公祭神祠为中心

Choose for Deities:The Inclusiveness and Exclusiveness of the State Sacrificial System of the Ming Dynasty——Focus on the Local Sacrificial System

明代地方公祭内容当中,各类神祇祭祀的变化最为频繁,大致经历了洪武朝定制期,成化、弘治迅速发展期,以及嘉靖以后的持续增长期三个阶段,祭祀内容不断增加,以致繁复。地方公祭对象的选择标准主要考虑其是否有功于国家、惠爱在民、具有保佑功能,或学识德行昭著。这样的选择标准是基于对公共利益的考量,即通过对这些神祇的公祭,发挥崇德报功、示范表率,及舆论导向的功用。因此,明代公祀体系具有明显的"为公"属性。整体来看,明代地方公祀体系是开放的,并处于不断变动中,其包容和排斥性构成理解明代地方祭祀信仰层级结构的一个视角。这种层级结构显示出明朝政府对国家所倡导的儒家信仰、制度性的宗教信仰,以及各类民间信仰的基本态度。

Among the state sacrificial system of the Ming Dynasty, a variety of worships for local deities are changed most frequently. These changes can be divided into three stages： formulated in the Hongwu period, developed rapidly in the Chenghua and Hongzhi periods, and increased continually after Jiajing period. The contents of the worships are added continuously so that they become more and more complicated. The selection criteria for the local worships are considered as for whether they would benefit for the country and the people, or have protecting function, or excellent knowledge and moral honesty. These selection criteria are in view of considering for the public interests. These public interests include elements adored for moral, praised for contribution, giving models for people, and guiding for the public opinions. Therefore, the public sacrificial system of the Ming Dynasty has the characteristic of ＂being for public＂ clearly. The local sacrificial system of Ming Dynasty is open and changing. Focusing on their inclusiveness and exclusiveness can provide a view for us to comprehend the stratified structure of the local sacrificial system. This stratified structure shows the government＇s attitude for the Confucian beliefs, institutional religions and several folk religions of the Min~ Dynasty.