《法苑珠林》一書,廣羅眾多的佛教經論和外典俗書,向來被視為佛教百科全書,近代學者也多以類書、輯佚書等工具書性質來看待它,而使該書成書的旨趣不彰。本文擬從道世所處的佛教思想與本土文化互爭高下的時代背景,與對該書促成的關聯,以及道世於每篇(部)末立感應緣,列舉各種靈驗、傳說等為《法苑珠林》體例的淵源與目的進行探討。分為:一道世的師承、交友與著述,二《法苑珠林》編撰時代背景,三《法苑珠林》之體例及編次等三方面入手,以揭示道世編撰《法苑珠林》的真正用意。
A great number of both Buddhist and secular texts are extensively quoted in Fa yuan ju lin. Therefore it has been traditionally regarded as a Buddhist encyclopaedia and modern scholars, too, viewed it only as a reference work arranged under subjects which could be consulted to garner quotations of otherwise cost scriptions. However, these evaluations obscured the aim for which Fa yuan ju lin was originally compiled. In order to reveal the real purpose of this important work, the present paper discusses both Dau-shr's historical background, the fierce competition between Buddhist and the local culture which promoted the compilation of Fa yuan ju lin, and the origin and purpose of a peculiar feature of this book, i.e., each chapter ends with a section relating miracle stories. The discussion proceeds under the leadings "Dau-shr's spiritural lineage, his friends and works", "The historical setting of the compilation of Fa yuan ju lin", and "The structure and arrangement of Fa yuan ju lin".