大乘三昧法門「入世利生」之次第 -- 以智顗大師與印順導師止觀思想的比較為主=A Study on the Stages of the Practice of Samadhi in Mahayana Teachings : Focusing on the Comparative Studies between Venerable Zhi-yi and Venerable Yin-shun's Ideologies on the Practice of Concentration and Contemplation
This article first analyses reasons on how the cultivation of meditation and wisdom in Buddhism transformed from, the Path of Liberation that emphasises the cultivation of concentration and contemplation, into the application of samadhi in helping and guiding sentient beings in the Path of Bodhisattva.Taking into account the different spiritual foundations of sentient beings, the practice is further categorised into the cultivation of loving kindness and compassion, wisdom, faith and determination. The article continues with comparative studies between the Complete Teaching of Tian-tai school advocated by Venerable Zhi-yi and the Buddhism in Human World taught by Venerable Yin-shun. The comparative studies look into the venerables’ ideologies on cultivation of concentration and contemplation and their different ways of establishing practice and defining the stages of attainment. The similarities are: Both venerables took note of the aspiration in practising meditation paramita in Mahayana teaching, that is, the emphasis is on the cultivation of the strength of samadhi. Thus, the teaching of Complete and Immediategreat importance on establishing the “Four Types of Samadhi”. Whilst for Buddhism in Human World, Venerable Yin-shun advocated the special characteristic of “Immeasurable Samadhi”. Both venerables emphasise the theory and application of the wisdom of Middle Path as the foundation for the practice of samadhi. The differences are: With reference to the three essentials in Mahayana practice, Venerable Zhi-yi places faith and determination as the priority, whereas Venerable Yin-shun highlights the practice of loving kindness and compassion as the core. Between the practice of helping and guiding sentient beings, and the cultivation of concentration and contemplation, Venerable Zhi Yi has the opinion that the act of leading and guiding others will affect one’s progress in the cultivation of concentration and contemplation. However, Venerable Yin Shun suggests that helping and guiding sentient beings is the right cultivation of samadhi in Mahayana teaching, it is also the core and essence in the practice of Bodhisattva path.In conclusion, the two venerables’ ideologies on the Mahayana practice of concentration and contemplation inherited the advocation of the practice of meditation and wisdom paramitas taught by Nagarjuna Bodhisattva of the Early Mahayana period in India. Among the three essentials in Mahayana practice, that is, loving kindness and compassion, wisdom, faith and determination, both venerables uphold the contemplation and development of wisdom as the core. In practical cultivation, the venerables develop their unique and profound elaborations on the cultivation of faith and determination, and loving kindness and compassion respectively.
