冰清玉洁的女信徒——先天道自梳女初探

Pure female believers

在民国众多的秘密结社之中,先天道是在全国流传最广、支派最多的大道种之一,擅用观音来吸引女教徒是其传教的一大特点。先天道教义鼓励女性信奉观音菩萨,强调男女两性平等,告诫女性清心寡欲、心无旁骛地修道,并且为她们提供了一方修行的净土——斋堂,从而吸纳了许多信奉独身主义的自梳女加入该教,成为自梳女保持独身、禁欲信仰的宗教依据与避风港。

Among the m any folk secret religions, the Great Way of Former Heaven is one of the most popular and biggest religions in the ROC, which is good at worshiping Guan Yin to attract female believers. The doctrines of the Great Way of Former Haven encourage women to adore Guan Yin, emphasize the equality between men and women, warn them to purify their hearts and restrict passions, and provide them with Chai Tang as a pure land to stay. Thus it attracts many Zi-shu-nv who believe in celibacy to join in and makes Chai Tang their shelters.