《法華三昧懺儀》之研究－從經典義理向實踐儀式的轉化=A Study on the Repentance Ritual of Saddharmapundarika Samadhi: The Transformation from Teachings in Canons to Repentance Ritual
法華三昧懺儀=the Repentance Ritual of Saddharmapundarika Samadhi; 普賢觀經=the Sutra of Meditation on the Bodhisattva Samanta-bhadra; 神聖意義=holy meaning; 懺悔六根=repentance for the sins of the six senses; 理懺; 事懺; 戒定慧; repentance in terms of ultimate truth and practice; three studies of Buddhism
In this article, we make a detailed analysis and discussion on the Repentance Ritual of Saddharmapundarika Samadhi by Chi-i, to explore the sources of this text and the religious meaning contained. The main sources of this text are the Sutra of Meditation on the Bodhisattva Samanta-bhadra, the Lotus Sutra, and the works of Hui-si. Among these, the first one is the most important. The repentance practice for the sins of the six senses and the integration of repentance in terms of ultimate truth(li-chan) and practice(shi-chan) in that sutra deeply inspired Chi-i. The materials referred by Chi-i are reorganized to form a set of repentance rituals. The new repentance text begins with easy religious practices, such as choosing the time and place different from ordinary world, purifying the body and mind, calling the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, to construct a holy space. It is then followed by the repentance practice for the sins of the six senses, along with imploring the Buddha to stay in the world, rejoicing for other's good deeds, transferring all the merits towards enlightenment, making a vow to save all beings. After these cultivations, the practitioner’s mind would become clear and broadened, and is qualified for practicing the repentance in terms of principle. Having chanted the Lotus Sutra to gain the holy power contained in it, the practitioner enters meditation and contemplates the ultimate truth to release from the sins caused by unwholesome conducts and obtains the merits of the Lotus Sutra. At the end of this repentance text, various stages of religious experience are presented to help the practitioner to confirm his progression. In comparison with the latter Tien-tai meditation theory of perfect teaching, the Repentance Ritual of Saddharmapundarika Samadhi is simpler in content and is easier to follow. Although religious rites and prayer are applied, the aim of their practice is not to obtain worldly advantages, but to combine repentance practice with the three studies of discipline, meditation, and wisdom. This text lead its practitioner to deep religious experience step by step, and can be recognized as an excellent guideline for Buddhist cultivation.
