Category: essay&article

Introduction In this essay, I would like to discuss the differences between Svātantika and Prāsaṅgika by appraising the origin and process of their respective developments. In this regard, I will try to illustrate that different Madhyamaka masters’ ‘creative interpretation’ of different Madhyamaka texts, which are mainly based on their individual response to the challenge of…

引言 佛學博大精深，源遠流長。在參學的過程中，除了要對義理有正確的把捉外，如何在各種千差萬別的修行法門中，在善知識的導引下找到適合個人的進路，從實修中獲取修行的益處，助成修行的功德，應是每位參學者需給予充分關注的課題。因此，筆者相信為自己制訂個人修行計劃並加以實踐，透過反覆的練習及印證，在參學的過程中定能有所獲益。

引言 本文旨在評議及考察月稱(Candrakirti，c.600-650)對因明學(Hetu-vidya)所採取的態度。我們不難在其重要的著作如《淨明句論》(Prasannapada)及《入中論》中找到他批判清辨(Bhavaviveka，c.500-570)以因明學詮釋中觀學的論述。無可否認，月稱對運用因明學這一依重邏輯及語言概念去把捉真實(第一義)的方法，的確採取一個明確的否定態度。但這種的態度，亦不是月稱所獨有，而是始自中觀學派的開創者龍樹(Nagarjuna，c.150-250)。龍樹其中一部有名的著作《廣破論》便全面地批判了開創及奉行五支論式的正理派(Nyaya School)。

Introduction Huineng (慧能), as told by the Platform Sutra, was fully awakened by a sentence of the Diamond sutra: He [Hongren, the fifth Patriarch] expounded the Diamond Sutra to me [Huineng]. When he came to the sentence, “One should use one’s mind in such a way that it will be free from any attachment,” I…

Introduction The dialogue between Bodhidarma and Emperor Wu (464-549 CE) of Liang Dynasty was a very popular koan, especially Bodhidarma’s famous words, “No merit”(無功德). This dialogue, whether it historically happened or not, was still a debating issue. May be we need more strong evidence before come to a definite conclusion. Nevertheless, the dialogue which widely…

“Buddhism stands unique in the history of human thought in denying the existence of such Soul, Self, or Atman.” Thus the notion of no self does occupy an important position among the teachings of Buddha. However, as stated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, the doctrine of anatman, no self , also creates stumbling block to our understanding.…

Introduction Just like many other Buddhist concepts, the meaning of Buddha nature is ever various from time to time in the development of Buddhism. Therefore, when we try to understand its meaning, we should refer to a particular period of time, school of thought and historical context. This is especially true for such a controversial…

The Greatest Mystery One of the greatest mysteries about Buddhism in India is the cause of its gradual decline in influence and then its total disappearance as an overtly practiced religion and way of life by the second millennium.