法華思想與佛教社區共同體 -- 以東魏〈李氏合邑造像碑〉 為例=The Teachings of the Lotus Sūtra and Local Buddhist Communities: The Example of The Li Clan Society Creating Images Stele Inscription dating from the Eastern Wei Dynasty
妙法蓮華經=Lotus Suutra; 佛教思想=Buddhist thought; 魏晉南北朝=Wei, Chin, and Northern-southern Dynasties; 造像銘記=the stone tablet inscription for making statues; 社區共同體=communities
According to the Lotus Suutra, every sentient being equally possesses great wisdom, and every man can through the gradual practice of the profound and vast bodhisattva activities adorn the pure land and finally reach buddhahood. This new concept of life was propagated by sangha and laymen alike until in due course of time it was put into practice during the Northern Dyanasties among the local communities in North China providing the mechanisms to consolidate community consciousness through a common goal and common practice. The Li Clan Society Creating Images Stele Inscription which dates from the Eastern Wei Dynasty provides a clear picture on how the ideas of the Lotus Suutra were the leading influence on the organization of Buddhist communities and their activities. Li Tz'u lead the members of his clan and local villager in their belief in the Lotus Suutra and organized a religious society devoted to the cult. These organisations had their structures wit monastics in the leading and responsible positions and laymembers constituting the grassroot level. In accordance with the spirit of the Lotus Suutra, the members of the community built temples and teaching places ogether, invited the sangha to recite the Lotus Suura, created the typical Lotus Suutra images of the two Buddhas sitting together, and held all kinds of inauguration, offering, fasting and practice functions. The Lotus Suutra's power of resolve which brings all sentient beings together in the One Buddha Vehicle and the bodhisattva activities which practice compassion according to circumstances helped the members of local Lotus Suutra communities to overcome constraints on the individual, family, clan and community level. It brought people together to leave their communities and engage in activities for communal welfare or even to pray for the benefit of the country of numberless sentient beings in the dharma realm that everyone might be reborn in the pure realm.