太虛的反思批判思想與傳承建設之研究－以「人生佛教」的思想理論與《起信論》比較=A Study on the Criticism and Inheritance of Reflection in Taixu's Thought Comparing the Theory of Humanistic Buddhism with The Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana
人生佛教=Humanistic Buddhism; 一心二門=One mind opens two doors; 契理契機=To live according to the teachings of the Buddha and also in light of the social environment of the times; 大乘漸教=The gradually teach of Mahayana; 修行信心分=Practices faith; 宋明理學=Song Ming Confucianism
The weakening position of Chinese Buddhist thought and theory, and the influence of Confucianism have led people to conceive Buddhism as for “the dead”, for “the heaven”, or for the “recluses” who take no interest in the worldly affairs. Out of the great compassionate Bodhicitta for Chinese Buddhism and for people around the world, Master Tai Xu proposed the idea of a Humanistic Buddhism theory as an initiative for an ideological reform of Chinese Buddhism. During the years of seclusion for meditation, based on the concept of “One mind but with two opened doors” from the Treatise on the Awakening of Mahāyāna Faith, a book with the title of 佛乘宗要論 was written therein providing a comprehensive and systematic thought on the issue. Whether it is “in accordance with the truth” or “in accordance with the opportunity moment” is the rule used to classify the whole Buddhist Dharma system. Especially, the latter rule is used in conjunction with “the door of the arising and perishing teaching” to teach people with different capacities, thereby a multiple systems of thought was developed.
Chinese Buddhism is based on Mahayana practice as the center, but they were mostly seen as practicing Sravaka instead, retiring themselves from the mundane world, falling short of embracing a caring character of the Bodhisattva. Through reflection, Tai Xu proposed that a “gradual Mahāyāna Buddhism” should be practiced in the society; that is, the content of “the path of different aspiration and interest” and “Learning Confidence” in the Awakening of Mahāyāna Faith is put into practice. “The Mahayana doctrine” of “One mind but with two opened doors” has established the historical position of Chinese Buddhism; and the idea of “Humanistic Buddhism” must find out its ideological basis in this contemporary generation, so that a more stable and healthier development in the future is ensured. In this paper, through a comparative study approach, the theoretical connotations of the Awakening of Mahāyāna Faith and “Humanistic Buddhism” was explored, some irrational phenomena associated with Buddhism in the society was critically discussed, it was hoped that different aspiration and interest in the hearts of different people can be harbored, and some contributions were made to the system of Chinese Buddhist thought and theory.
