哪吒信仰的域外传入与其在中国的本土化

The Introduction of Nezha and His Legend from Abroad and Its Localization in China

哪吒及其传说随着佛教的传入而进入中土,不仅带来了印度文化因子,也吸收了中西亚神话传说。哪吒及其传说传入中国之初,面临着文化冲突问题。通过佛教自身、道教、儒家伦理、文学艺术、民间方术等对哪吒的传说、名称、形象、神能、信仰方式各方面进行了一系列的本土化改造,哪吒被本土道教所吸纳和改造,为儒家伦理所接纳。哪吒的民间传说经人们口耳相传,进而被吸收演化成通俗文学,使哪吒这一民间信仰流传更广。这种本土化过程使哪吒从外来的制度化宗教之中抽离,从上层"大传统"领域进入"小传统"视野,从"域外神"变为人们喜爱的"本土神",完全融入中华传统文化之中。

With the introduction of Buddhism,came Nezha and his legend to China as well. It not only brought the Indian cultural factors,but also embraced the myths and legends of the middle and west Asia. At the very beginning of its introduction,Nezha and his legend was challenged with cultural conflict. It is eventually accepted and adapted,however,by Taosim and Confucianism,after being localized in every aspect including Nezha＇s story,his name,appearance,extraordinary ability,and faith so that it can adapt to the development of Buddhism itself,Taoism,Confucianism ethics. The legend of Nezha was spread through word of mouth,and later evolved into popular literature,which in turn facilitated its wide spread. This process of localization isolates Nezha from its original foreign institutionalized religion,propelling Nezha the ＂ extraterritorial God＂ flow into the homes of ordinary people,and become one of the most favorite ＂ local god＂. Nezha has been fully integrated into traditional Chinese culture.