佛教与巫文化操蛇之神的合流——梅山蛇恶诸天信仰探析

Integration of Snake-Holding Gods from Buddhism and Witchery Culture:Iconological Study on Snake Devaloka in Meishan Area

受楚巫文化影响,湘中古梅山地区巫觋崇信盛行并延续至今。蛇恶诸天像是流传至今的湘中木雕神像类型之一。经考察图像和文献,梅山蛇恶诸天形象是楚地巫文化传统中操蛇神巫与佛教操蛇诸天西天广目天王合流的结果,其信仰实质是延续了梅山根深蒂固的鬼神思想——借助手中灵蛇,诸天便拥有了通天地鬼神、降魔祛病的神力。

Meishan Culture, characterized by primitive pantheism and witchcraft practices, has been a unique cultural phenomenon in Meishan area of central Hunan Province since ancient times. Snake Devaloka is one type of the wood Buddha statuettes passed down so far in Meishan area. By investigating the literatures and graphics, it is found that the image of Snake Devaloka is actually the integration of snake-holding gods respectively from Virupaksa of Buddhism and wizard of Chu culture, while the belief of which is the continuation of ghosts-gods ideology deeply rooted in Meishan locals who believed that with the snakes, the Devaloka is endowed with the superhuman capabilities of contacting the gods and ghosts, exorcising demons and healing people.