星雲大師=Venerable Master Hsing Yun; 人間佛教=Humanistic Buddhism; 神明聯誼會=When Buddha Meets the Gods event; 佛光淨土=Fo Guang Pure Land; 法界融和=harmony of Dharma realms
摘要
佛陀紀念館自 2011 年落成，即邀請台灣各地宮廟神明朝山禮佛，神佛同慶，逐步奠定每年 12 月 25 日「神明聯誼會」的基調。星雲大師有明確的「神」、「佛」分判，又能以開明、包容、恭敬的心態，看待不同宗教與民間信仰，認為人既有拜佛的需要，同樣理解神明有拜佛的需求，並從眾生皆有佛性的立場，強調諸天、神明亦有佛性，而「神明聯誼會」正體現著佛教「眾生平等」的精神內蘊。「神明聯誼會」採取紀念聖賢、團結信眾的慶典模式，並非將佛教世俗化或鬼神化，乃星雲大師「佛光淨土」思想中「五乘佛法融和」第二階段所欲推行的「天乘佛教」，乃佛教主導宗教交流盛會，融和了佛教「朝山」修持與民間信仰「進香」活動與陣藝文化，邀請各路神明蒞臨交流，佛教也藉此因緣攝受諸神。「神明聯誼會」創建出神佛和平共處的神聖空間與宗教交流對話的機緣，藉此攝受神道教徒在既有信仰基礎上，進而薰習五戒十善、六度四攝，可能將其轉化為佛教護法，發願追隨佛菩薩，加入護佑、攝受眾生的菩薩道行列，成就神佛聯誼、共度眾生的目標。 Since its opening in 2011, the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum invites all the gods of different religions across Taiwan to pilgrim and pay respect to the Buddha as a celebration, that is, the yearly event “When Buddha Meets The Gods” on December 25th. Venerable Master Hsing Yun has made clear the distinction between gods and the Buddha. Yet, he treats different religions and folk beliefs with an open mind, tolerance, and respect. He sees that gods wish to pay respect to the Buddha, same as humans. This event demonstrates the Buddhist spiritual connotation of “all beings are equal,” through a model that commemorates the saints as well as gathering devotees in celebration. It is not to make Buddhism secular or god-like, it is intended to bring forth the harmony of the Five Vehicles in Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s ideology of the Fo Guang Pure Land, particularly the Heavenly Vehicle. Furthermore, it directs religious exchange, harmonizing the cultivation of “Buddhist pilgrimage” (朝山) and the “pilgrimage” (進香) event of folk beliefs, and paving the conditions for Buddhism to take in the gods. This creates a sacred space for the peaceful existence of Gods and Buddha and an opportunity for interfaith dialogues. Additionally, based on their existing faiths, these devotees can further learn about the Five Precepts, Ten Wholesome Deeds, Six Paramitas, and Four Means of Embracing. They may become Buddhist protectors that vow to follow the path of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, achieving a common goal to help all beings and fellowships of Gods and Buddha.
