《壇經》「見性成佛」的當代詮釋與實踐 ── 以聖嚴法師為主=The Contemporary Interpretation and Practice of "To See the Nature and Thus to Become a Buddha" in Platform Sutra: Focusing on the Teaching of Venerable Sheng Yen
六祖壇經=The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch; 見性成佛; 聖嚴法師=Venerable Sheng Yen; 禪宗; 禪法實踐; 當代佛教=Contemporary Buddhism; Chan Practice; To See the Nature and Thus to Become a Buddha; Chan School
This study aims to explore the contemporary interpretation of Buddhism, the inheritance of Chan, the use of Chan teaching materials, and Chan practice in contemporary society. This thesis pays most attention to The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch(六祖壇經), focusing on the interpretation of the phrase “To see the Nature and thus to become a Buddha” (見性成佛). When discussing the term nature in this teaching, there are multiple interpretations. This thesis discusses the teaching of Venerable Sheng Yen(聖嚴法師, 1930-2009), pinpoints the relationship of his interpretation and his practice, and analyzes how he interprets the sutra, in order to develop the direction of Chan education in the contemporary period. Thus, it portrays his significance in the revival of Buddhism in contemporary society. The thesis starts by defining the questions and scope of research in the first chapter. Then in the second chapter, it reviews contemporary thought on the interpretation of Chan, including the thought of Venerable Yin Shun(印順法師, 1906-2005). The third chapter examines the evolution of Venerable Sheng Yen’s Chan thought in chronological order. Venerable Sheng Yen established the Chan Meditation Center in New York in 1977. The chapter follows the development of his teaching from that time, and explains his approach that equally emphasizes academic analysis and practice. Further, the third chapter organizes sources related to his writings and publications, and clarifies his cause-and-effect analysis of “method” and “goal.” “Method” refers to utilizing the wisdom of void, while “goal” refers to reaching the level of “To see the Nature and thus to become a Buddha”. The fourth chapter is about how Venerable Sheng Yen uses the “To see the Nature” teaching in a variety of Dharma practices, including a variety of Chan practices, reconstructions, and expansions. This thesis concludes that Venerable Sheng Yen''s emphasis on the teaching of the Platform Sutra clarified the goal and method of practicing Chan. The result not only enriched the understanding of contemporary Chan Buddhism, but also advanced the construction of contemporary Chan teaching, expanded Chan’s popularity, further combined meditation and compassion teachings, and contributed to the social significance of ethics education, thus promoting the core concepts of Hanchuan Buddhism(漢傳佛教) and its education.
