星雲大師=Venerable Master Hsing Yun; 人間佛教=Humanistic Buddhism; 世界神明聯誼會=When Buddha Meets the Gods even; 平等=equality; 尊重=respect; 包容=tolerance
摘要
2011 年，佛陀紀念館落成典禮所舉辦的「神明朝山聯誼會」，迄今即將邁入第 8 年。此聯誼會盛況一年勝過一年，從兩岸的神明聯誼，到2017 年，遠至法國猶太教、英國伊斯蘭教、巴西天主教等都來共襄盛舉，成為國際性的宗教聯誼會。有人稱為是宗教界的嘉年華會，歐美人士則讚為「Chinese Christmas」。但佛教界有些認為「神佛不分」，教徒則認為是民間信仰的廟會活動，佛教何以要辦這樣的活動？因此，神明聯誼會是真的神佛不分？還是具有更深意義的普世價值觀？從普世價值觀是否又突顯何等意義價值？ 本文擬從人間佛教的精神之脈絡下，分四部分來探究：一、佛說的―倡導眾生平等，從佛陀的「人權觀」，即眾生皆有佛性，探討眾生平等的普世價值觀；二、人要的―追求幸福與安樂，從信仰提升、宗教參與，探討透過神明聯誼會何以能達到幸福安樂境界；三、淨化的―推動社會和諧，透過神明聯誼會之交流，探討宗教何以能輔助政治的不足，維持公共秩序；四、善美的―促進世界和平，以泯除宗教之對立、共建和平之世界，探討神明聯誼會對於追求世界和平有何實質的效益。 Soon to celebrate its 8th anniversary, the “When Buddha Meets the Gods” event was first organized by Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in 2011. Each year, the event grows larger, initially starting with deities from Mainland China and Taiwan. By 2017, there were representatives from a Jewish community in France, an Islamic community in the U.K., and a Catholic community in Brazil. It has become an international gathering of religious associations. Some liken it to a “Chinese Christmas.” However, some Buddhist communities perceive this to be “deity-buddha syncretism,” while others believe it to be a Chinese folk religion activity. So, why did Buddhism organize such an event? Consequently, it is worthwhile to examine the “When Buddha Meets the Gods” is in fact “deity-buddha syncretism,” or is there a significance in terms of universal values? Are there any other deepr meanings when addressed from the viewpoint of universal values? From a Humanistic Buddhist context, this paper approaches the topic in four parts: what the Buddha taught, specifically his teachings on equality, human rights, and the universality of Buddha nature; what people need, specifically how the event can lead to a more contented and peaceful society through religious participation; what is purifying, specifically the dialogues and exchanges the event facilitates, including how religion can address areas overlooked in politics to promote social harmony; and what is beautiful, specifically the promotion of world peace, elimination of interreligious conflict, and finally the effects that “When Buddha Meets the Gods” has had on world peace efforts.
