佛教文学研究五题

Five Topics in Research on Buddhist Literature

"佛教文学"的研究非常早,但其概念内涵却长期存在争议。文学抒写的世界不仅有世俗的,还涉及世俗以外的诸多因素;文学作品的语义所指,也不限于世俗社会本身,更有超越世俗社会者,而佛教就是超越世俗的。所以说,"佛教文学"作为学术命题,是完全可以成立的。佛教文学的研究虽历时悠久,但整体状况还处于拓荒阶段,不宜过早对其定性。汉文佛教文学是佛教文学之一部分,其所包涵者约四:汉译佛典之文学、中国僧尼创作之文学、世俗文人崇佛之文学、华夏民间佛教信仰之文学。此四方面,汉译佛典文学一直为研究之荒漠地带。欲精研于此者,当于方法论上用功,方能致胜。佛教地狱的观念非常突出,地狱佛典文学是汉文佛典文学最突出的一部分。佛经对地狱的描绘,不仅极尽渲染其阴森恐怖的氛围和场面,还塑造了许多生动的人物形象。地狱佛典文学以其特有的内容和方式强烈地渗透到了中国本土民众的内心深处,成为中国大众文化的一个重要组成部分。然而,长期以来,这一课题却少有问津者。苏轼在一定程度上可以看作世俗文人崇佛之代表,其文学理趣与他熟稔佛教"空观"似乎有着密切的关系。在经验世界中,苏轼能处处自觉或不自觉地以佛教"空观"来指导自己的人生实践和文学创作;当面对人生的沉浮时,他又非常坦然地以佛教的"梦空"来理悟。《心经》是流传最广的大乘佛教空宗经典,也是阐扬"空观"的最重要的佛教经典之一。其要义在于通过般若智慧透悟此岸生死苦海,放下执著我有而度达涅槃解脱彼岸。般若的作用在于帮助人们认识和解悟佛教的终极目的——"空"。

Research on buddhist literature was very early,but the concept is controversial for a long time.The literary world does not only write secular,also involves a number of factors other than the secular;The meaning of literary works are not limited to the secular society itself,more than secular society.Buddhism is beyond the secular,so the Buddhist literature which is regarded as an academic proposition is fully established.The Research on buddhist literature has lasted very long,but the overall situation is still in the stage of pioneer,so it should not be too early for the qualitative.Chinese Buddhist literature is a part of the Buddhist literature,which consists of four parts：the Chinese translation buddhist literature,Chinese literature written by Buddhist monks and nuns,the literature worshiped Buddha by secular scholars,Chinese folk literature of the Buddhist faith.The Chinese translation buddhist literature is continuously desert belt for the research.Those who want to research in thorough detail should study hard in the methodology,so they will be able to achieve success.The Buddhism hell idea is extremely prominent,the hell Buddha literature is a most prominent part of Chinese Buddha literature.Not only the Buddhist exaggerated its gloomy terror vigorously atmosphere and scene to the hell description,but also has portrayed many vivid character images.The hell Buddha literature intensely seeped the Chinese native people＇s hearts by its unique content and way,became an important constituent of the China mass culture.However,for a long time,few people study this subject.To a certain extent,Su Shi can be seen as a representative of the secular scholars worshiping Buddha.His literature for fun and he was familiar with the concept of the Buddhist＂empty idea＂appear a close relationship.In the world of the experience,Su Shi consciously or unconsciously guided his own life practices and literary creation with the Buddhist＂empty idea＂;when faced with life＇s floating,he was very frankly by understanding Buddhism＇s＂dream empty＂.＂Heart sutra＂is the most popular of the classics of mahayana Buddhism empty cases,is also one of the most important buddhist scriptures spread ＂empty idea＂.Its essence lies in understanding life and death of this side through the prajna wisdom,putting down the persistent and reaching the other shore.Prajna＇s role is to help people understand and sense the ultimate purpose of Buddhism--＂empty＂.