J4 ›› 2011, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (9): 1-5.
Tantric Buddhism has reconstructed the concept of ethnic identity and played a role in the integration of the Bai culture to form the ancient Bai community after it was introduced into the Erhai lake region. It is an important social cultural force for ethnic groups in Erhai region to leap from pre-country period to country period and it remains a positive interactive tool among countries and ethnic groups in Nan Zhao period. Tantric Buddhism in Dali area has combined the political authority, the local culture and the secular society with the corresponding monks and the monk organization. The mutual grafting, absorbing and fusing of Buddhism,Confucianism and Bai culture produce Confucianism Buddhism. The different social roles of Confucianism Buddhist, Confucian
Entrepreneurs and squire in different historical periods, shed much light on their own values and functions in the Bai ethnic community.
