Chapter 116 buddhist music

Buddhism is a religion that originated in India, but its influence reaches almost all over the world.Since it was introduced into China at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, it has exerted a huge influence on Chinese philosophy, literature and art.In terms of art, its greatest influence on Chinese culture is painting, sculpture and music. Buddhist music is mostly used in religious ceremonies to sing and praise Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, which is called "Fanbai".After Buddhism was introduced to China, due to the difference between Sanskrit and Chinese, it was difficult to sing praises. Therefore, according to the characteristics of Chinese, Chinese music materials were absorbed and Buddhist music was transformed. In this way, Chinese Buddhist music came into existence.

It is said that Cao Zhi, the son of Cao Cao and a famous poet, was the first to make Buddhist music.Jin Liu Jingshu's "Yiyuan" contains: "Chensi Wang Cao Zhi, styled Zijian, climbed Yushan, heard the sound of chanting scriptures on the cliffs, and followed suit. Today's Sanskrit singing is all made according to Zhi's imitation." Therefore, Chinese Sanskrit music is also called "Yushan Sanskrit". During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Tang and Song dynasties, Buddhism flourished.During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Emperor Liang Wu not only made great achievements in Buddhism, but also composed ten Buddhist songs such as "Shanzai", "Great Joy", "Extermination of Evil" and "Elimination of Love Water". "Boys rely on Ge Fanbai" ("Sui Shu·Music History").He also pioneered the "Uncovered Assembly" and "Ullambana Basin", which provided excellent opportunities for the performance and dissemination of Buddhist music.In the monastery at that time, there were always "singing sounds around the beams, dancing sleeves turning slowly, silk tubes are bright, harmonious and fascinating" ("Luoyang Jialan Ji").During the Tang and Song dynasties, Buddhist music flourished.In order to promote Buddhism, monasteries in the Tang Dynasty held regular lectures and singing, especially the "common lectures" aimed at ordinary people, which had a great influence.Han Yu's poem "Huashan Girl" said: "Teaching Buddhist scriptures on the east and west of the street, ringing bells and blowing snails to make trouble in the palace." No one." It almost reached the point of emptying the streets.When Wen Xu, the most famous vulgar monk at that time, lectured on scriptures, "the listeners filled the temples and worshiped them, calling them 'monks'. The teaching workshop imitated its tone and thought it was a song" (Tang Zhaolin's "Yinhualu").At that time, there were already "Puguang Buddha Song", "Maitreya Buddha Song", "Pharmacist Liuli Light Buddha Song", "Sakyamuni Buddha Song", "Amitabha Buddha Song", "Avalokitesvara Buddha Song" and "Four Heavenly Kings", "Jingxiang", "Dingxiang" " and other Buddhist songs.

From the Tang Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, Buddhist music continuously absorbed the nutrition of folk music, making it develop unprecedentedly, and gradually perfected it, becoming more beautiful and more Chinese. Buddhist music is to help monks practice worship and to promote Buddhism to good men and women.Its purpose is to "persuade people to do good". Even people who don't know anything about Buddhism know the simplest truths such as "all living beings are equal" and "saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda" preached by Buddhism.Buddhism advocates "the four elements are all empty", and the center of its practice is "silence". Therefore, most of the Buddhist music used to promote the Dharma is quiet and peaceful.From a religious point of view, it enables you to realize the true meaning of Zen in tranquility; from a utilitarian point of view, it makes your mind calm, your blood flows smoothly, and has the effect of strengthening your body; You become one with nature in the contemplation and spiritual meeting in your heart, and you get extremely high aesthetic enjoyment.