妙法蓮華經=《Sutra on the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma》; 授記=Announcement of Future Destiny; 一佛乘=One Buddha Vehicle; 智顗=Tzu-Yi; 吉藏=Ji-Tsan; 窺基=Kwei-Gi
The study subject of this thesis is on the “Announcement of future destiny” mentioned in the texts of the 《Sad Dharma Puņdarīka》 translated by Kumārajīva: 〈A Parable〉,〈Announcement of Future Destiny〉, 〈Exertion〉,〈Distinction of Benefits〉,which talk about the subject-matter of “ Announcement of Future Destiny”. From texts mentioned, we are informed that the subject of “ Announcement of Future Destiny” takes an important part in the 《Sad Dharma Puņdarīka 》.The “Announcement of Future Destiny” in the Great Vehicle means a prediction to be a future Buddha. It is just this 《Sad Dharma Puņdarīka》to advocate in highest tone the idea of “Announcement of Future Destiny” , its texts argue “all the sentient beings would become future Buddha”, its propose is to converge three vehicles towards one vehicle; that is, three vehicles originally are a kind of expedient means and skillfulness, and only the one vehicle in fact is the ultimate; on the other hand, the idea of tow vehicles never to be Buddha is given up in the 《Sad Dharma Puņdarīka》and meanwhile it stresses highly the śrāvaka, pratyekabuddha and boshisattva finally converged on One Buddha Vehicle, the final purpose is to initiate people to up-rise Bodhicitta, to cultivate boddhisattva doings in order to realize Buddhaway, so, the 《Sad Dharma Puņdarīka》 could be said on behalf of the sutra of One Buddha Vehicle.
《Sad Dharma Puņdarīka》 is the secret treasure of all Buddha-Tāthāgata, the top of all sutra, it therefore has great influence to the Sects, such as Tien Tai, San Lung and Vijňānavādin, and even is called as“《Sad Dharma Puņdarīka》as a discipline for sentient beings Achieving Buddhahood”. Before, there have been many big erudite masters who have written tremendous commentaries and explanatory on it. This thesis tries to use the writings of three founders of Chinese Buddhist sect: Tzu-Yi of Tien Tai, Ji-Tsan of San Lung and Kuei-Gi of Fa Shian as the main referring expounding. To pick up their interpreting characteristics and contents on the part of “Announcement of Future Destiny“ in the 《Sad Dharma Puņdarīka》, try to get further understanding the various masters’ comments with an approach of “annotating text” .
