六字真言浅释——兼论饶宗颐先生对“吽”的考察

A Brief Explanation on the Six Words of Dharani: Also on Mr. RAO Zongyi’s Investigation on “Hum”

密教六字真言源于梵文,亦称六字大明咒。密教相传是大慈大悲观世音菩萨咒,象征一切诸菩萨的慈悲与护持。本文通过回顾田野实物、佛教文献和民间故事,并总结和分析了饶宗颐、季羡林的相关研究,对之进行了释义。文章认为,从佛教密咒学界、教界对"六字真言"等的不同诠释取向可见,对于学者来说,重要的是文字及其后面的意义,有意义才有意思;对于信众来说,并不需要它的意义,有了意义就失去了意思,没有意义才有意思。对意义的追求,和对意义的排拒,这两种态度共同推动了文化的自觉与传承。

The Six Words of Esoteric Buddhism was originated from Sanskrit and also called Six- syllable Mantra. Esoteric Buddhism was said to be the most merciful and compassionate Avalokiteshvara symbolizing the kindness and protection of all Bodhisattvas. This paper attempts to summarize and analyze the studies by Mr. RAO Zongyi and Mr. JI Xianlin through the review of the field objects, Buddhism literature and folk tales. It also provides with interpretation of their meanings. Considering the different interpretation of the Six Words Dharani by Esoteric Buddhism and religion world, it discusses that the hidden meaning of the words is more important for scholars. They believe that it is interesting because of its meaning. But for Buddhists, they don’t need meaning because meaning makes it uninteresting. They believe that meaninglessness is interesting. Therefore, the two attitudes like pursuit of meaning and rejection of meaning get together to propel self-consciousness and heritage of culture.