Species (English spelling)

Japanese: 種民 - しゅみん（英語表記）zhŏng mín

In Taoism in the Six Dynasties, Sui and Tang dynasties of China, the term refers to the chosen people among Taoists and ordinary believers who, by doing particularly good deeds and practicing diligently, were guaranteed eternal youth and longevity by the three gods of heaven, earth and water who govern human lifespan. They transcend the Three Realms, which are subject to change, and live in four types of fairyland called "Zhongmin Heaven" below the Daluo Heaven and Sanqing Heaven where the gods live, where even the disasters of the collapse of heaven and earth cannot reach them. There is also the term "the people of the True King," which suggests a longing for salvation under a savior. [Kawakatsu Yoshio]

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

中国，六朝･隋･唐の道教で，道士や一般信者のうち，とくに善行を積み，熱心に修行して，人の寿命をつかさどる天･地･水の三官の神々から不老長生を保証された選民をいう。彼らは，変化を免れない三界（さんがい）の上に超出し，神々の住む大羅天と三清天の下にある4種類の〈種民天〉という仙境にいて，そこには天地崩壊の災厄も及ばない。また〈真君の種民〉という言葉もあり，救世主の下での救済待望もうかがわれる。【川勝義雄】

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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