軍人與佛教（1912-1937）

Military Men and Buddhism (1912 - 1937)

1912-1937年間的中國，是一段內亂外患兼俱的年代，由槍桿子控制全盤大局，上至中央，下至地方各軍系，無不為求擴大及掌握軍政大權，而大動干戈。近年來筆者翻閱民國期間與佛教有關之檔案、報刊，發現「軍人與佛教」大有關係，不少資料顯示，軍人常以佛寺為駐軍處，也常藉機向寺院勒索軍餉或各種賦稅。軍人雖屬武夫，少數軍人對佛教還是懷有好感，除自己信佛外，也會在軍中推廣佛法，當然其中不無藉由宗教力量以拉攏人心的意味。他們這種表現於外的行動，與彼等之人生態度、個人際遇與心性極有關係，也與他們的宗教傾向，亦即對各種宗教的態度相關。本文從「軍人與佛教」這一角度，探討1912-1937年間，在中國這一大舞台上所呈現的種種情況，希望藉由全文之分析，可以呈現民國佛教史的部分樣貌。

This article explores the unique relationship between military men and Buddhism in China between 1912 and 1937, when China was plagued with wars, upheavals, and turmoil, and when the military became a salient feature in domestic politics. Archival materials suggest that military forces were frequently stationed in Buddhist temples, which became an important source of tax income for regional military forces. Some military leaders expressed their respect for Buddhism and even went as far as to promote Buddhism in their own military forces for the sake of winning over goodwill by religious means. By elucidating the delicate interrelations between military men and Buddhism, this article seeks to demonstrate a different history of the Republic of China's Buddhism.