This essay attempts to investigate the spread of epidemics and their impact on the religious development of the late period of the Eastern Han Dynasty. According to Fan Yueh's Hou Han-shu, Chinese society suffered from rampant outbreaks of epidemics between 147 and 189. This work also indicates that from 189 until the fall of Later Han Dynasty in 220, probably only one epidemic occurred, in 217. However, if we examine other available sources, we find that an unknown epidemic(s) still sporadically attacked some regions of China in the last few decades of Later Han Dynasty.
It is difficult to ascertain the causes of the epidemics that prevailed in late Han China, but we can make some preliminary conclusions as to their impact. In terms of religious activities, we find that the prevalence of shamans, the establishment of shrines, the prevalence of cults of malicious ghosts, the rise of religious Taoism, and the successful spread of Buddhism were all linked to the social crises caused by these epidemics. During this time of crisis, shamans, Taoist priests, and Buddhist monks provided necessary assistance to fulfill people's psychological and/or physical needs, thereby attracting numerous followers. As a result, shamanism, Taoism, and Buddhism became the three most dominant religious forces at the end of Later Han Dynasty and during ensuing dynasties.
Although we should not overemphasize the role of epidemics in the development of Chinese religions, we still cannot ignore their direct or indirect impacts on religious movements during the waning years of Later Han Dynasty.
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