不立文字 不离文字——浅论禅宗的语言观

Independence of Words and Dependence of Words:——On the View of Language of Zen

禅宗的语言观是其区别于其他宗派的鲜明特色之一,主要有两种表现方式,即"不立文字"与"不离文字"。其形似乎截然相对,其实却是圆融会通的,若得涅透悟,二则一也。

The view of language of Zen has a unique feature which is very different from the views of other schools of Buddhism. It has two main ways of expression, that is, ＂independence of words＂ and ＂dependence of words＂. The two ways seems completely opposed, but in fact they can be understood without any obstructions. If we can understand Nirvana, independence of words is dependence of words.