從「天臺教觀」論「代眾生懺悔」之思想與實踐：以遵式大師為主=A Discussion of the Concept and Practice of "Repentance on Behalf of Sentient Beings" from a Tiantai Perspective: The Case of Zunshi
Abstruct: In the Song dynasty, the Tiantai school placed more emphasis on “repentance on behalf of sentient beings” than it did in the Sui and Tang, with the exception of repentance for the purpose of seeking individual expiation, meditative attainments, or rebirth in the Pure Land. This may be due to the negative effects on the lives of common people of several factors, including political unrest at the end of the Tang, social and economic problems in the Song, and rule by northern peoples under the Liao, Xia and Jin dynasties. Zunshi believed that the best way for himself and Buddhist worshippers to become steadfast in their practice was to first remove all of their evil karma, then understanding cause and effect, they would attain liberation. Zunshi mentions in one of his ritual guides that when the practitioner recalls his misdeeds, he should bring to mind the fact that he and all beings have been creating karma since beginningless time, and therefore one should seek repentance in front of an image of a buddha or a bodhisattva. It is in this respect that Zunshi undertakes the practice of “repentance on behalf of sentient beings.” However, because cause and effect applies equally to all, how can the theory of “repentance on behalf of sentient beings” be established? In this regard, the author first seeks the textual origins of the concept of “repentance on behalf of sentient beings,” then, in terms of Tiantai doctrine and meditation, takes the perfect and sudden teachings of “three thousand in one thought,” and “three causes in Buddha-nature,” as the theoretical foundation for “repentance on behalf of sentient beings.” Finally, on the basis of Zunshi’s practices of repentance, release of animals, and exhorting others to vegetarianism described in his writings, the author explores ways in which Tiantai doctrine and meditation can be matched with the concept of “repentance on behalf of sentient beings”: on the one hand, one practices the vow of helping beings to abandon suffering and attain happiness; on the other, in the process of this practice, the practitioner gains a deeper understanding of dependent origination, bringing the practitioner closer to the ultimate goal.
