论佛教的国家观

On Buddhism's View of Nation

“国家观”是近代西方思潮涌入中国时引进的概念,主要是关于“国家”本质的讨论。在中国传统文化当中,与“国家观”具有相同意涵的是“天下观”,主要包括国家之间以及国家与民族之间的关系、国家内部的尊卑秩序以及礼法制度等内容。佛教作为中国传统文化的重要组成部分,有着丰富而独特的“国家观”。早期印度佛教经典中对于国家的形成、理想国度的盛况、君主的政治素养以及治国策略要求有着详尽的论述,而中国佛教则藉助孝道思想对于传统政治伦理道德加以补充,并外化为实践层面的报答君主与国家之恩。佛教“国家观”通过对理想国度的描述,就国王应具有的政治素养,从出身、智慧、谋略以及治化等方面提出了相应的要求,同时也分析了佛教团体对于国家的态度,表明佛教主张一种基于仁治的政治理念。结合传统儒家文化的宗法制度以及儒家的伦理纲常,中国佛教在亲孝思想上提出了更高的要求,也是佛教“国家观”在政治伦理和道德伦理上的体现。在中国佛教的实践中,佛教主张“不依国主则法事难立”,发挥了“以佛教化民务以达到阴翊王度”的作用,体现了佛教对于国君及国土的报恩思想,表达了向往和平、护国忠君的国家观。

The theory of national concept introduced to China from modern western ideology mainly focuses on the discussion of essence of"nation".According to the traditional Chinese culture,the concept of the nation which has the same meaning as the concept of Tian-xia(the whole world).It mainly includes the relations between the state and the nation,and it also includes the order of dignity and inferiority,the system of etiquette and the law.Buddhism which is an important part of Chinese traditional culture also has a very special national theory.In the early Indian Buddhist scriptures,there were detailed discussions on the formation of nation about the prosperity of the ideal country,the political literacy of the monarch and the requirements of the strategy of governing the country and so on.In Chinese Buddhism,the traditional political ethics and morality were supplemented by the thought of helping filial piety,which was externalized into the practical level of land gratitude.In the national theory of Buddhism,it describes the corresponding requirements for the king's political literacy from the aspects of origin,wisdom,strategy and governance.At the same time,it also analyzes the attitude of Buddhist groups towards the country,indicating Buddhist political concept based on benevolence.Combined with the patriarchal system of traditional Confucian culture and ethics,Chinese Buddhism makes a higher requirement on filial piety thought,which is also the embodiment of Buddhist nation view in political and moral ethics.In the practice of Chinese Buddhism,they advocate that it will be difficult to spread Buddhism without respecting the country's principle.With the theory of nation in Chinse Buddhism,there exists their loyalty to the king,yearning for peace and determination to protect their state.