《牟子理惑论》为佛教辩护的主要思路

On principle threads to defend Buddhism in Muzi's Theory for Clarifying Confusion

现存《理惑论》是一部为佛教辩护的著作,它为佛教进行辩护的主要思想方法是“格义法”,具体内容可以归纳为三个方面:在崇拜对象方面,把佛解释为中国传说中的远古帝王和道家的神仙;在思想观念上,用道家、儒家经典解释佛教术语努力调和佛教与儒家、道家的矛盾,缩小它们之间的差距;在行为礼仪方面,求内在精神之“大同”,存外在表现之“小异”。这对于佛教得到当时更多人的理解是有很大帮助的。

The current book Muzi＇s Theory for Clarifying Confusion, which defends Buddhism by a methodology called Ge Yi, can be classified into three aspects in its content. The first aspect is mainly about idol pursuing, which explains Buddha to be ancient king of Chinese legend and the immortal of Daoisra. The second endeavors to harmonize the contradiction between Daoism and Confucius with regard to thinking concept, and then decreases their differences by using classics in their explanation of Buddhism terminology. The third, with the focus on behavior and etiquette, aims to pursue major similarities in spiritual fields while keep minor difference in physical ones. those theories helped majority commoners＇ understanding of Buddhism at that time.