“道之言导也”:牟子三教观探析

“The word of Tao guides you”:on Mou Zi’s view of three religions

《理惑论》是第一部由中国人撰写的传播佛教思想的著作。在书中,牟子将弘扬佛道作为根本目的,试图用“格义”的方法化解印度佛教与中国传统文化之间的差异。牟子在《理惑论》中对儒佛道三教关系的探讨,体现出他对三教中的“道”,即“导”的理解。牟子“道之言导也”的三教观在本质意义上是同一的,在方法上是不同的。主要体现为三个方面:儒家之道——导之以仁义;道家之道——导之以慈柔;佛家之道——导之以悲悯。

“Li Huo Lun”is the first book written by a Chinese to spread Buddhist thought.In this book,Mouzi took the promotion of Buddhism and Taoism as the fundamental purpose,and tried to resolve the differences between Indian Buddhism and Chinese traditional culture with the method of“Ge Yi”.Mouzi’s discussion of the relationship between Confucianism,Buddhism and Taoism in“Li Huo Lun”reflects his understanding of“Tao”,that is,“Guidance”.Mouzi’s view of the three religions,“the word of Tao guides you”is?the same in essence,but different in practice method,which is mainly reflected in three aspects:the way of Confucianism—guiding it with benevolence and righteousness;the way of Taoism—guiding it with kindness and softness;the way of Buddhism—guiding it with mercy and compassion.