从四圣谛到四弘誓愿(续)——论大小乘佛教融和的开展

From the Four Holy Principles to the Four Grand Oaths

四谛是佛教中南北传的佛教,汉藏传的佛教所共遵的基本教义,彼此共同认为是世间、出世间的唯一解脱之道。后世诸佛弟子虽认为四谛为声闻、缘觉之法,但却贬四圣谛为小乘法。其实大乘佛教四弘誓愿的实践是依四圣谛而发起。从四圣谛到四弘誓愿,体现了佛教由小乘的融和和展开。

The Four Holy Principles is a basic tenet that is followed by all the Buddhist sects, whether it is a southern or northern school, or it is a Chinese or Tibetan faction.They all think it the only way to emancipate the living beings.The subsequent followers thought the Four Principles were only Sravaka's and pratyeka-buddha's teachings, intending to preach down the Four Principles as a Hinayana doctrine. But in fact, the Four-Grand Oaths followed by the Mahayana was developed just on the basis of the Four Principles. The development from the Four Holy Principles to the Four Grand Oaths indicates both the mixture and expansion of Hinayana Mahayana.