中欧社会论坛 - China Europa ForumPreliminary Study into the Influences of Popular Belief in Religious Customs
Authors: Jin Se
Extract from ” From Research on Ethnic Minorities in Northwest China, Vol.2, 2002, pp 146-157“
Abstract: Popular belief encompasses beliefs and religious practices that play an inherent role in people’s lives. They resemble religions, of a spontaneous rather than institutional nature, that have evolved from prehistoric times to today and influence every aspect of society. Unlike traditional, formal religions, these beliefs lack a uniform structure. At any given time, popular belief is neither the dominant culture nor a major religion in mainstream society; it is classified as a marginal tradition or regional folklore. Historically speaking, popular belief (‘popular’ referring here to society as a whole) is older than any formal religion.
Some spontaneous religions become popular belief when a foreign government takes control of a country or if that country’s people are socially divided. In a process of vertical dispersion, dominant religions give way to popular belief, which over time form the basis of popular custom. Horizontal dispersion involves the constant creation of deities in one of two ways: either by attributing divine qualities to deceased figures in society, or by manipulating historical facts. Popular beliefs can be appropriated in an intentional, conscious manner to establish a religion, as occurred when the Five Pecks of Rice school of thought became Taoism. Cultural tradition in Chinese society views popular belief as a garden in which religions grow.
How does popular belief become a religion? This question can be looked at from three different angles. On a religious level, popular belief and religions are compatible with each other and with orthodox religions and ideologies to varying degrees; in traditionally monotheistic societies, popular religions and beliefs are often rejected, while in polytheistic traditions a structural affinity exists between these approaches (though mutual rejection is still possible). On a political level, popular belief can either defer to, or reject the political views of the ruling power - be submitted or emerge as an opposing force. As something that influences the way people live and prioritise values, religions are inevitably linked to the State, a situation that leads to a political-religious relationship. On a syncretic level, popular belief and religion fuse or move away from classical religions in mainstream culture to varying degrees. Because it was constantly changing, Buddhism easily became a part of Chinese culture and individuals’ practice, and was able to modernise and merge into popular culture. Religious Taoism evolved in a constant state of syncretism which promoted popular belief, helped transform dominant ideologies into religions, and injected new energy and inspiration into traditional, formal religions.