《佛国记》所载弥勒信仰考论

Studies in Belief in Maitreya in The Travels of Fa-hsien

弥勒集释迦弟子、菩萨、未来佛为一身,弥勒信仰在佛教中具有特别重要的地位。东晋法显西行求法之前,弥勒信仰在汉地已经有了一定流传。通过法显《佛国记》中多处有关弥勒信仰的记载,可以了解西域及古印度各地弥勒信仰的基本状况和特点。这在印度相关材料缺失的情况下,具有不可替代的意义。通过比较汉地流传的与《佛国记》中所记弥勒信仰的异同,也可以展现中国佛教的独特面貌。

As a disciple of Sakyamuni, bodhisattva and Buddha of the Future, belief in Maitreya is of special importance in Buddhism. Before Fa-hsien left for the West in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, belief in Maitreya had already been somewhat popular in the Han Dynasty. The records of the belief in Maitreya in The Travels of Fa-hsien （Record of the Buddhistic Kingdoms） can help us understand the belief in Maitreya in the Western regions and ancient India. These records are of irreplaceable signifcance in the absence of relevant materials in India. Comparing the similarities and differences of belief in Maitreya between the Han Dynasty and The Travels of Fa-hsien can also show the unique features of Chinese Buddhism.