Author(s)

Huijun Li

Corresponding Author

Huijun Li

ABSTRACT

“Meishan Culture”, characterized by primitive pantheism and witchcraft practices, has been a unique cultural phenomenon in Meishan area of central Hunan Province (China) since ancient times. Based on the wood Buddha statuettes and the praying texts inside the statuettes in central Hunan during the Ming and Qing dynasties, this paper explores the characteristics of folk Buddhist beliefs in this area. “Meishan Buddhism” with distinct regional characteristics had been coming into being after over one thousand years of blending. Integrating Buddhism, witchcraft, Taoism and Confucianism, “Meishan Buddhism” maintains a strong relation to individualism, reality and secularism, but detached from politics and any doctrines. It is widely spread among the folks since most of the followers are ordinary people. And their religious activities tend to be witchcraft-styled.

KEYWORDS

Meishan Culture, Buddhism, Wood Buddha Statuettes, Praying Texts