「同歸」或「分殊」 ─ 論當今佛教對宗教異同之兩種論調及中觀學之可能觀點=Convergence or Divergence? - A Study on the Two Discourses of Religious Sameness and Difference in Contemporary Buddhism and a Possible Response from the Viewpoint of Mādhyamika
不分宗教=Religious sameness; 宗教分殊=Religious difference; 中觀學=Mādhyamika; 破邪顯正=Refutation of misconstruction to reveal right understanding; 緣起性空=Dependent arising and emptiness; 二諦=The theory of two truths
In this paper, I take the views of Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the 14th Dalai Lama and Ven. Yin Shun as a basis to explore the two discourses of religious sameness and difference often discussed in contemporary Buddhist circles. While the prior holds that all religions are essentially the same, the latter maintains that there are distinct differences amongst various religions. I put forward the possibility that these two contradictory viewpoints might stem from a difference in emphasis on intellect on the one hand, and sentiment on the other. Furthermore, although the Mādhyamika school is well-known for its 'refutation of misconstruction to reveal right understanding'; based on the theories of dependent arising, emptiness, and the coherence between the conventional truth and ultimate truth, there is nonetheless scope within the Mādhyamika philosophy to reasonably promote the fusion and harmony of religions. For those who pursue religious harmony and dialogue, this type of fusion and harmonization of religious views offers a fresh dimension to the seemingly opposite standpoints of the sameness or difference of religions. It must be noted however, this view differs from the positions of 'I-Kuan Tao' and other outlooks which focus on the role of love and compassion to dissolve the religious difference.
