Dudie: The Song Dynasty Monk's "ID Card" and Wu Song's Disguise Tool in "Water Margin"

Brief Introduction

The Dudie (度牒), also known as the Jiedi (戒牒), was a certificate issued by the ancient Chinese government to monks and nuns as proof of their ordination. In the Song Dynasty, it served not only as proof of religious identity but also as a legal "ID card." Holders of a Dudie enjoyed privileges such as exemption from corvée labor and taxes, and could travel freely throughout the nation without obstruction. For those seeking to hide their tracks, it was a perfect "pass." This system reflects the strict management of religious populations and household registration by the ancient state.

Core Knowledge Points

* Official Certification and Legal Effect: The Dudie was issued by government authorities and stamped with an official seal. Those without a Dudie were considered "Sidu" (私度，unauthorized ordination), which was illegal and subject to pursuit by officials. It was the sole basis for a monk's legal existence.
* Fiscal Tool and Circulation: The Song Dynasty government occasionally sold Dudie certificates to raise military funds or cover fiscal deficits, giving them circulation value. They could even be used as collateral in private transactions.
* Social Privileges and Household Registration: Monks held a relatively high status in society at the time and enjoyed greater freedom of movement. The Dudie was part of the ancient household registration system, designed to prevent commoners from evading taxes by taking refuge in monasteries.
* Physical Form: Typically made of paper, it detailed the monk's name, place of origin, lineage of teachers, and date of receiving precepts. It is an important artifact for studying Song Dynasty social history.

Connection to the Book Content

In Chapter 31 of Water Margin, Wu Song becomes a criminal wanted by the imperial court after the bloodshed at Mandarin Duck Tower. To evade capture by officials, he needed to change his identity. At Changshan Temple, Elder Zhenzhen bestowed upon him a Dudie, helping him disguise himself as a Xingzhe (a monk practicing with unshaven hair). This plot point not only resolved Wu Song's survival crisis but also indirectly reflected the strictness of the Song Dynasty's Dudie system—without official documents, even shaving one's head would make it difficult to hide for long.

With the Dudie, Wu Song was able to successfully travel to Erlong Mountain to join the bandits, showcasing his wisdom and courage. The book describes Wu Song as having "cut his hair and worn monk's clothes"; it was the Dudie that granted him a legal religious identity, sparing him much trouble while traveling through the Jianghu (the martial arts underworld). This detail reveals the strictness of ancient identity management and highlights Wu Song's adaptability in desperate situations, serving as a key to understanding the plot logic of Water Margin.