淸 中期 福建 西北 山間地域의 棚民과 老官齋敎 事件

Abstract

So far, the rebellion of Lao-guan-zhai Teachings was studied from standpoints of a religiously-oriented eschatological rebellion or a rebellion for acession to political power. But, when we consider the slogan, "Urge the rich to relieve the poor(勸富濟貧)" hoisted by the rebels and the circumstances of the regions where the rebellion broke out, especially on the groups of rebels, there is considerable room for looking over from a different angle. One important element that endorses that view would be dwellers of make-shift huts(棚民) who, for only livelihood or making economic gains, departed from their registered native place and moved to the north-western mountainous regions of Fujian Province. Luojiao temples(羅敎 庵堂) were established at remote and secluded places in the mountainous regions of Fujian Province(福建省) where dwellers of make-shift huts(棚民) lived. Life of Dwellers of make-shift huts(棚民) was deeply related with these temples. Under the Qing political system, dwellers of make-shift huts(棚民) gradually appeared as an important social problem across the country. First, fierce native-settler conflicts occurred frequently over the economic interests. Secondly, the influx of dwellers of make-shift huts(棚民) as strangers, threatened public security and increased latent social unrest in the related regions. Under the reign of Emperor Yongzheng(雍正), social status of dwellers of make-shift huts(棚民) as commeners was maintained. But, under the prejudice and discrimination of natives, public officials and gentry in the related regions, the control of them was tightened and they were negatively perceived beings to be exterminated(驅逐). Under such circumstances, life of dwellers of make-shift huts(棚民) was very unstable and their dissatisfaction was accumulated. In the north-western regions such as Jianning Prefecture(建寧府) of Fujian Province(福建省), public officials and gentry kept close watch on the establishments such as temples and cloister for folk religions, and regular religious congregations and social activities of believers for fear that impure elements would secretly intrude into and cause troubles. After all, the control of local public officials on the mountainous regions, where dwellers of make-shift huts(棚民) moved and engaged in farming and handcrafts, was weak. And, with this fact, activities of religious groups such Luojiao(羅敎) and socio-economic circumstances of dwellers of make-shift huts(棚民) were closely linked together to develop into Lao-guan-zhai Teachings rebellion.