初期佛教之「我」論

Zen Theory of Self in Early Buddhism

王開府(Kai-Fuu Wang)

《中華佛學學報》 16期 (2003/09) Pp. 1-23

https://doi.org/10.6986/CHBJ.200309.0001

摘要

本文主在探討初期佛教有關「我」之思想。從初期佛典中使用與「我」相關的字，分析其多義。歸納出「我」作為反身代名詞「自己」之中性義，及作為「我所」「我執」「我慢」「靈魂」（梵我）之劣義。佛陀不反對使用作為假名的「自己」之「我」。他指出有關「我」之種種邪見及其產生的原因，而主張離於常、斷、有、無兩邊的中道的無我論。但他也提醒弟子不要住著於「捨離」。對照於西方思想中有關「自我」的「主體」「自由意志」觀念，可以說佛陀不反對緣起中的相對主體和自由意志。「自作」不只是佛陀所容許，也是修行所必需。筆者認為：緣起與自由意志之相容相成，並不形成如某些西方哲學中「自然」與「自由」的二律背反或壁壘分明。這也使得緣起法不同於一種決定論或機械論。道德活動的因果律法爾如是，活動的因關連著緣起中的相對自由，活動的果關連著苦的寂滅（幸福）。這是佛陀無我論的殊勝之處。

關鍵字

1.初期佛教 ； 2.我 ； 3.無我 ； 4.主體 ； 5.自由意志 ； 6.《阿含經》 ； 7.巴利經典

並列摘要

This paper discusses the theory of self in earlyBuddhism. From words relating to self in early Buddhist texts, its many meanings can be analyzed. They can be categorized as: 1. neutralreferences to oneself through reflexive pronouns; 2. condemnatory referenceswith words such as ＂mine,＂ ＂attachment to self,＂ ＂conceit of self,＂ and ＂soul＂(atman). The Buddha was not opposed to using the words ＂I＂ or＂myself＂ in their conventional sense. He pointed out many different illusions aboutself as well as the causes for their arising. He advocated a middle way theory of non-self, which avoidsthe extremes of eternalism and nihilism, existence and non-existence. At the same time however, he alsoreminded his disciples not to cling to renunciation. Using a comparison involving the concept of the freewill of a subjectivity- concepts in Western thought which relate to the conceptof self-it can be said that the Buddha would not object to relativesubjectivity or free will within dependent arising. ＂Sayam-kata＂ (made by oneself) was not simply approved of by Buddha, it is anecessary prerequisite for self-cultivation in Buddhism. The author believes that the concepts of dependentorigination and free will complement each other, rather than forming aclear-cut division or an antimony as is done between nature and freedom by someWestern philosophers. This alsoensures that dependent origination is not a kind of determinism or mechanism. The law of causality in moral action isnatural. The cause of moral actionis associated with relative free will in dependent arising; and the effect ofmoral action is associated with the cessation of suffering (happiness). This is the greatness of the Buddha's theory of non-self.

並列關鍵字

1.EarlyBuddhism ； 2.self ； 3.non-self ； 4.subject ； 5.free will ； 6.Āgama ； 7.Pali Text

參考文獻

水野弘元(1975)。巴利語辭典。

項退結(1976)。西洋哲學辭典。

Davids, T. W. Rhys(1986).The Pali Text Society‘s Pali-English Dictionary.

水野弘元(1986)。南傳大藏經總索引。

木村泰賢(1995)。印度哲學宗教史。