證嚴=Master Cheng Yen; 慈濟=Tzu Chi Foundation; 佛教=Buddhism; 修行經驗=cultivation experience
摘要
本研究試圖探討證嚴上人接觸佛法的因緣及至出家修道的歷程，還原半世紀前上人的菩薩身影，留下一個足以德垂後世的修行範式。 論文著眼於歷史脈絡的梳理，採文獻蒐集法、文獻分析法，並輔以口述訪談為研究方法。研究的重點主要聚焦在「悲傷與悲願的轉折」、「孝道與修道的兩難」、「自利與利他的抉擇」、「私情與長情的交融」等問題上。 為探討證嚴上人早年修道的歷程，必然得回眸他早期的生命故事，管窺其思想啟蒙的來龍去脈，並勾勒他在潛修苦行中身行度眾與宗教實踐，以至克難成立慈濟功德會的樣貌。當他面臨痛苦與無常到來時，宗教信仰在他生命中的意義為何？從父親驟逝的「悲傷」到發願度脫眾生的「悲願」之間，如何將小愛化為大愛？又為何不追求自我解脫而選擇承擔「挑起天下米籮」的重任？其內心轉折的歷程為何？在現實與理想之間，他毅然選擇出家，如何面對親情的牽絆，又如何自我善解？一路走來，決定他走向菩薩道的轉捩點為何？凡此種種，如何詮釋證嚴上人從內修到外弘的歷程與轉變，在在是值得探討的課題。 誠如終章結論所述，論文歸納出的四個關鍵字——苦、法、善、情，或許可作為證嚴上人早年修道歷程的註解。從「苦」的體悟中，體現出他對生命價值與真理的堅定追求；從「法」的信仰中，支持著他一路行來，恆持願力；從「善」的心念中，匯聚大愛能量，救助苦難；從「情」的包容中，以無私無我的情懷，悲智教化眾生。總之，證嚴上人以其同體大悲的心懷，契應菩薩的甚深智慧，帶領人人行在菩薩道上修慧造福，尋其因緣軌跡，其來有自。 期待透過本論文的研究結果，提供國內外學術界參考，以拋磚引玉，激發更多研究者關注相關議題的研究。 This study attempts to discuss the history of Master Cheng Yen’s exposure to Buddhism and the journey of becoming a nun, by which to illustrate the Bodhisattva’s image of Master half a century ago and leave behind a cultivation paradigm for the future generations. The paper focuses on the combing of the historical context by the methods of documents collection and analysis, supplemented by oral interviews. The main subjects include "the transition from grief to mercy", "the dilemma of filial piety and monasticism", "the choice between self-interest and altruism" and "the fusion of personal and long-lasting love". In order to explore Master Cheng Yen’s early years of cultivation, one must look back at his early life story, get a glimpse of the whole process of his enlightenment, and outline his personal asceticism and religious practice, and how to overcome all the difficulties to establish Tzu Chi Foundation eventually. When Master faced pains and accidents, what was the significance of religious belief in his life? How did he turn personal love to great love, transforming the "sorrow" of the sudden death of his father to the "mercy vows" of saving all the people in need? Why did he stop pursuing self-liberation and choose to take the responsibility to purify all the people’s hearts? How did these changes appear in his heart? Between reality and ideals, he resolutely chose to become a nun, how did he deal with the family affection and persuade himself? Along the way, what was the key points of determining his way to Bodhisattva? All these questions are worthy of discussion to analyze Master Cheng Yen's transition process from self-cultivation to public preaching. As stated in the conclusion in the final chapter, the four keywords summarized in the paper: suffering, Dharma, benevolence and emotion, can be used as annotations on Master Cheng Yen's early spiritual cultivation. His comprehension of "suffering" reinforces his pursuit of the value of life and the truth; his belief in "Dharma" supports him practicing the vows along the way; his inner benevolence affects massive love of the public to relief the suffering; his broad "emotion" and unselfish mind teaches people to be compassionate and wise. In short, Master Cheng Yen, with his compassionate heart, corresponds to the deep wisdom of the Bodhisattva, and leads everyone to practice Bodhisattva’s deeds to accumulate wisdom and blessings. Hope the study results of this paper to provide references for domestic and foreign academic circles, and stimulate more researchers to pay attention to related topics.
