论佛教礼仪对中国古代法制的影响

The Influence of Buddhist Ritual on Ancient Chinese Legal System

佛教对中国古代法制影响深广。首先,唐代僧尼是否应行致拜君亲之礼的论争,实质上是佛教平等思想与儒家忠孝思想的冲突关系在法制上的反映,体现了佛教礼仪影响中国古代正统法律思想的一个侧面。其次,由佛教慈悲思想衍生出信徒应禁杀的"断屠月"与"十斋日"之礼,不但是对传统"秋冬行刑"制度的有效补充,而且也对古代法律的残酷刑杀起到一种比"秋冬行刑"效果更为显著的缓和性作用,有利于维护社会的稳定,也是刑罚文明化、人道化的一种表现。再次,佛教的戒律不但有利于德主刑辅的教化,而且也鼓励一般民众修持向善,因此戒律的提倡能够起到减少犯罪的发生,有助于对犯罪的一般预防;但以佛教戒律来替代刑罚处罚,则是司法不公正与司法恣意性的反映。最后,禁止盗毁佛像的法律规定,实质上彰显了佛教的戒律与礼仪对立法的影响;禁止"私入道"的法律规定,实质上彰显了佛教的规模与国家税制、兵役制度的冲突关系对立法者权衡利弊考量的影响;僧侣犯奸罪加重处罚的特殊规定,实质上彰显了僧侣身份的特殊性对立法的影响。

Buddhism has a significant influence on legal system in ancient China.First,the discussion of whether Buddhist monks and nuns in the Tang Dynasty should worship the emperor and the elders substantially reflects the conflicts between the Buddhist idea of equality and the Confucian idea of loyalty.It represents the influence of Buddhist ritual on the orthodox legal thought of ancient China in some respects.Second,the ＂Animal Butchering Prohibition Month＂ and the ＂Ten Days of Fasting＂,which were derived from the Buddhist idea of mercy,not only effectively supplement the traditional ＂Autumn and Winter Execution＂ system,but also significantly modify the cruelty of the execution.These codes contribute to the stability of the society,and also represent the civilization and humanism of punishment.Third,as Buddhist discipline contributes to the moralization of ＂morality given priority over penalty＂and encourages people to do good deeds,promoting Buddhist discipline can reduce crime and be beneficial for general prevention of crime.On the other hand,however,the replacement of legal punishment by Bddhist discipline also leads to legal injustice and arbitrariness.Finally,the legislation which prohibits steal or damage of Buddha＇s statue reflects the influence of Buddhist discipline and ritual on legislation.Legislation prohibiting unofficial joining of the Buddhist reflects the influence of the conflicts between the Buddhist scale and the tax system and military service system of the country on the law-makers,who were ttying to strike a balance.Special regulation providing aggravation of penalty on monks who commit the crime of rape substantially reflects the influence of the special status of monks.