The Confucianization characteristics of female guanyin belief in the Song Dynasty
宋代女性观音信仰的儒家化特征

摘要

观音信仰传入中国后，因其本身具备的文化兼容特质，能够与本土儒、道思想调适互融，得以在中国社会落地传播。在民间信仰场域，儒家思想居于主导地位，脱离正统佛教约束的观音信仰被不断改造，走向深度儒家化。宋代女性观音信仰的这一特征表现得尤为显著，主要体现在三个维度：信仰行为观念贴合儒家纲常伦理，信仰实践进一步弘扬儒家孝道，精神内核呼应儒家的慈爱理念。在多重因素交织之下，观音信仰吸纳本土儒家，完成文化形态的重塑，造就了宋代极具时代特质的观音信仰面貌，也成为外来佛教信仰本土化演变的典型样本。

Abstract

After being introduced into China, Guanyin belief, with its inherent cultural inclusiveness, was able to adapt and integrate with native Confucian and Taoist thoughts, thus taking root and spreading in Chinese society. In the folk‑belief context, Confucianism occupied a dominant position. Freed from the constraints of orthodox Buddhism, Guanyin belief was continuously transformed and underwent profound Confucianization. This feature is particularly prominent in female Guanyin belief of the Song Dynasty, manifested in three dimensions: belief concepts conform to Confucian ethical norms; belief practices further promote Confucian filial piety; and its spiritual core echoes Confucian ideas of benevolence and compassion. Under the interplay of multiple factors, Guanyin belief absorbed native Confucian elements and reshaped its cultural form. It formed a distinctive outlook of Guanyin belief characteristic of the Song Dynasty, and serves as a typical case for the localization evolution of foreign Buddhist beliefs.