Guanyin Culture in Mount Putuo Region : Symbols, Selves, and Society of Zhejiang People, China

Abstract

Putuo Mountain in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China is a global Guanyin Taoist center. As one of the four famous Buddhist mountains, Mount Putuo stands in the East China Sea and has a solid foundation. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it has never wavered. On this basis, the belief of Guanyin Daochang in Putuo Mountain was formed. Guanyin belief originated in ancient India and was introduced into China around the Han Dynasty. Guanyin belief has been carried forward and advocated in Chinese history, and penetrated into all social strata, becoming one of the main beliefs of Chinese people. Guanyin statues show the charm, innovation and artistic charm of a thousand year old country under the integration of local and creative in China, which not only promotes the development of Chinese art history, but also enriches our cultural beliefs and artistic connotation. Therefore, it has the most "discourse power" for the development of Guanyin culture. Starting from the understanding of Guanyin belief, this paper analyzes and studies the artistic style of Guanyin statues, in order to understand the relationship between Guanyin statues and early Chinese Guanyin belief and its statue art. Secondly, it combs the characteristics of Guanyin statue art in Chinese history, and analyzes the characteristics of various forms of Guanyin statue art in Putuo Mountain. Then, after entering the Zhoushan Islands and relying on Mount Putuo, this paper analyzes the various reasons why it became a famous Guanyin Taoist center, and makes an innovative research on its cultural value.

First of all, through the investigation of Mount Putuo, it is found that Mount Putuo is located in Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, with a unique ecological environment. After tens of thousands of years of inheritance and development, Mount Putuo and Guanyin culture are intertwined and integrated, and Guanyin culture in Mount Putuo has become an important place of religious culture.

Secondly, the development of Guanyin culture is closely related to the ecological culture of Putuo Mountain. The cultural ecology of Putuo Mountain is the basis of the inheritance and development of Guanyin culture. As an important branch of religious culture, Guanyin culture can not be separated from Mount Putuo. The development of Putuo Mountain marks the historical change of Guanyin culture. In the symbols of Guanyin culture in different periods, the main line of cultural change is implied.

Finally, taking Mount Putuo as the connecting point of Guanyin culture, taking Mount Putuo as the analysis unit, this paper analyzes in detail the relationship between the real historical situation and social features of Mount Putuo and Guanyin culture. The historical circumstances and social features of Mount Putuo have had a profound impact on the development of Guanyin culture, which has continued to modern times. Guanyin culture is closely related to the social development of Putuo Mountain.

In a word, Guanyin culture is the expression of semiotics, culturology and sociology. Guanyin culture in Putuo Mountain is in constant development. It will develop and diversify with the progress and change of society.

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