白莲教是南宋时出现的民间秘密宗教名称。这种宗教是由民间固有的宗教和哲学思想,如早期道教、儒家等杂糅以外来的佛教、摩尼教等教的教义而成。因此它既是土生土长的秘密宗教,又与某些外国流传的民间秘密宗教有着许多共性。宋以后白莲教的流传情况史不绝书,但又多语焉不详。除元代初期一段时间外,白莲教一直被官方视同寇仇,“白莲教”一词已被官方用为指称一切邪教、异端的代词,一般秘密宗教深讳这个称谓而另立支派另起名称,实际上它们还都是白莲教。白莲教的历史可以上溯到古代的宗教性活动, White Lotus was the name of a private and secular religion appearing in the Southern Song Dynasty. This religion is made by the inherent religious and philosophical thoughts of the people, such as Buddhism and Manichaeism taught by other religions such as early Taoism and Confucianism. Therefore, it is both a native religion and a secret religion, which shares many commonalities with some privately-held and secular religions in foreign countries. After the Song Dynasty White Lotus teach the history of the spread of the book, but many do not elaborate. In addition to being a part of the early Yuan Dynasty, the White Lotus religion has always been regarded by the government as a culprit. The term “White Lotus” has been officially used as a reference to all cults and heresies. The secret of the general secret religion is taboo and the other tribe has its own name In fact, they are also White Lotus. White Lotus history can be traced back to ancient religious activities,