周永年与苏州佛教

Zhou Yongnian and Buddhism in Suzhou

佛教自孙吴赤乌四年传入苏州,至今已有近1800年的历史,所以苏州佛教传承悠久,信徒众多,在当地具有广泛而深远的影响力。明末苏州居士周永年的家族世代为官,清正廉洁,素有奉佛传统。周永年作为传统知识分子,面临明末动荡的政治局势,毅然放弃科举正途、皈依佛教、担当起保护地方文化的重任;周永年积极投身佛教事业,雕刻佛经,布施僧侣,尤以所编撰的《吴都法乘》影响深远;苏州佛教尚文尚佛的特征,在明末动荡的社会背景下,寺院因得到文人的资助而缓解了经济上的困境,包括周永年在内的"四大高僧"以复兴佛教为己任,积极革除影响佛教发展的弊病。他们同门下文人居士一道,推动了明末苏州佛教的发展。

Buddhism was introduced to Suzhou in the fourth year of Sun Wu(A.D. 241), nearly 1800 years ago. With a fascinating long history and a large population of Buddhists in Suzhou, it has extensive and far-reaching influence in the local area. Based on the narratives about the family life, life choices and Buddhist activities of Zhou Yongnian, a layman in Suzhou, this paper analyzes and summarizes the turbulent political situation that the intellectuals faced with in the late Ming Dynasty, through Zhou’s spiritual path of finding himself by abandoning the "proper course" of the imperial examinations, converting to Buddhism, and protecting the local culture. Meanwhile, the textual analysis of Zhou Yongnian’s works finds the characteristics of the Buddhists and the social background of Buddhism development in Suzhou in the late Ming Dynasty;finally, this study discusses the specific influence of the socio-political and cultural environment on the cultural achievements, Buddhist economy and Buddhist thoughts in Suzhou in the late Ming Dynasty.