天台圓頓止觀「事修．理觀」雙重奏 -- 以《摩訶止觀》為主=The Symphonic Form of Factual Practice and Doctrinal Insight n Tien-tai School's Complete and Immediate Meditation -- with Emphasis on Mo-ho-zhi-guan
This paper is an investigation into the process of factual practice and doctrinal insight in Tien-tai School’s complete and immediate meditation as stated in Mo-ho-zhi-guan (Great Concentration and Insight). In Mo-ho-zhi-guan, the factual practice and doctrinal insight of meditation usually go hand in hand in a symphonic form; therefore, this is the focus of discussion in this paper. The major points of meditation practice presented in Mo-ho-zhi-guan include the twenty-five preparatory methods, the ten-vehicle meditation methods, and the four samadhis. The discussion in this paper follows the same order. First of all, concerning the 25 preparatory methods, most scholars regard them as precursors of the formal practice of concentration and contemplation, with emphasis on factual practice. But actually in Mo-ho-zhi-guan, the preparatory methods are further channeled into insight into the ultimate truth. Thus factual practice and doctrinal insight are combined in a symphonic form. Secondly, as far as the ten-vehicle meditation methods are concerned, they are already in the stage of formal meditation, with emphasis on doctrinal insight. But in Mo-ho-zhi-guan, in this stage the factual practice is still properly used to aid the gaining of insight into the truth. Here again, the factual practice and doctrinal insight go hand in hand. Finally, regarding the four samadhis, although Mo-ho-zhi-guan explains them under the heading “Cultivation of Great Deeds,” which is the third of the “Five Strategies,” they are actually practiced in conjunction with the 25 preparatory methods and the ten-vehicle methods. Basically, the four samadhis emphasize rituals in meditation practice, especially the first three samadhis (except the neither-walking-nor-sitting free samadhi). Since rituals are used to help the cultivation of insight into the truth, a symphonic form of factual practice and doctrinal insight appears. In short, in Tien-tai School’s complete, immediate meditation, factual practice and doctrinal insight are combined in a symphonic form.
