近世=the late imperial period; 佛教文學=Buddhist Literature; 禪宗=Chan(Zen); 淨土=pure land; 夢=dream
摘要
近世佛教文學研究，以往受限於近世佛教思想於文獻以及思想上的龐雜，往往以缺乏義理創造性的庶民佛教一筆帶過，然而如荒木見悟以及末木文美士等學者分別揭示晚明、江戶佛教的現實關懷與活力。近世佛教文學研究的開展，除了填補學術研究的大片 空白之外，更能藉此認識佛教的修行實踐、文學、歷史等各方面。 近世佛教文學研究的意義與價值，首先具有辨明入道緣由、修行指點、史料的價值，如魯庵普泰〈王伯安書舍〉即讚許青年王陽明於寺勤勉讀書寺中的過往，透顯出教家對陽明學的影響，扭轉以往將陽明學視為明代佛教復興的樞紐的印象。此外，自宋明以降風氣大開的中國僧家自傳以及懺悔文，更補充過往中國文學研究者往往對佛教不甚熟悉，因而付之闕如的二種文類的研究可能。 近世佛教文學的意義與價值如上所言，提供思想、歷史、文學等研究層面的補闕以及開展，其特色除了為人所知的禪宗詩歌外， 宋代以後，淨土題材幾乎遍布所有文類，包括詩、小說、戲曲。淨土法門傳播過程中，也得力於種種文學的廣遠傳布。另一方面，佛教紀行文學更引領讀者，體驗僧人的海洋經驗與異國見聞，以及中日之間經由禪林的請法與弘法，構築一往來無間的人際網路。一方面佛教文學極力探索未知的世界，另一方面，也認真探索深不可測的內心世界。內心世界最真實的呈現是夢。佛教於夢措意已久，早期佛典相關記述亦多不可屬。近世夢論高峰，自當首推晚明雲南高僧徹庸周理（一五九以－一六四一）《夢語摘要》一書。從文學上來看，夢的肯認是現代化的一個重要標誌，不僅於佛教 內部臻至高峰，更漫溢於近世文人生活、文學、文化之中。 Research on modern Buddhist literature has traditionally been limited by the complexity of modern Buddhist thought and its literary texts. However, scholars such as Araki Kengo and Sueki Fumihiko have revealed the social concerns and vitality of late Ming and Edo period Buddhism. The development of research on modern Buddhist literature not only fills significant gaps in academic studies but also provides insights into various aspects of Buddhist practice, literature, and history. The significance and value of research on modern Buddhist literature explore valuable historical materials. The autobiographies and confessional texts of Chinese Buddhist monks, which gained popularity from the Song and Ming dynasties onward, supplement the study of Chinese literature, which had previously overlooked these two genres due to a lack of exposure to Buddhist literature. Moreover, the distinctive feature of modern Buddhist literature is the pervasive presence of Pure Land themes across various literary genres, including poetry, novels, and plays. The dissemination of the Pure Land teachings has greatly benefited from the broad spread of literary works. On the other hand, Buddhist travelogues lead readers to experience the maritime adventures and cross-cultural encounters of monks, as well as the exchange of teachings and propagation between China and Japan through Zen temples, thereby building a seamless network of interpersonal connections. On one hand, Buddhist literature endeavors to explore the unknown world, while on the other hand, it earnestly delves into the unfathomable inner world. The most authentic expression of the inner world is found in dreams. Buddhism has long recognized the significance of dreams. The peak of dream discourse in modern times can be attributed to the work "夢語摘要 " by the eminent late Ming monk 徹庸周理 (1590-1641). From a literary perspective, the acknowledgement of dreams represents an important hallmark of modernization, not only reaching its pinnacle within Buddhism but also permeating the lives, literature, and culture of modern intellectuals.
