论唐宣宗复兴佛教进程中的信仰因素

On the Religious Factors in the Revival of Buddhism by Tangxuan Zong

关于唐宣宗复兴佛教的原因,政治、经济等因素多被提及,至于是否存在宗教信仰因素则存在争议。从各方面材料来看,宣宗周围的一些官员会昌年间就有护法举动;宣宗登基得到崇佛宦官的拥护;宣宗崇佛从其诏令和反佛官员的上书中都明确道出;宣宗采取的政治措施多有利于佛教复兴,朝野上下也多有迎合上意兴佛者;另外宣宗实录、杂史、小说、方志、碑记、佛书、敦煌文献等都记载宣宗登基前后与佛教存在关联。可以断定,宣宗复兴佛教背后的确不乏宗教信仰的因素,并与政治、人事等因素相纠缠。至于《新唐书》等官方史书不载相关情况,存在各种可供分析的原因,不必简单地以之为据,更不必将该书的史料取舍等同于史实有无。

About the reasons of the revival of Buddhism by Tangxuan Zong, political and economic factors are often mentioned, as to the existence of religious factors is controversy. For all aspects of related materials, some officials around Xuanzong have law enforcement actions in Huichang years. Xuanzong ascended the throne who was championed by officials advocating Buddhism. The fact of Xuanzong advocating Buddhism was clearly revealed in his edicts and antiBuddhism officials' letters. Xuanzong adopted political measures conductive to revival of Buddhism, the court and the commonalty catered to. In addition, records of Xuanzong, unofficial history, novels, chronicles, inscriptions, Buddhist books, literature of Dunhuang andso on recorded the associations with Buddhism before and after the throne of Xuanzong. Can be concluded, there are indeed some religious factors in the revival of Buddhism, which are entangled by political and human factors. As for 'Book of New Tang'and other official history books have no relevant circumstances, there are variety of reasons for analysis, we do not have to take it as a basis, or make the choices of history materials in this book equals to the historical facts.