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星雲大師人間佛教信念「生命不死」的現代詮釋
A Modern Interpretation of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Humanistic Buddhist Faith of ＂Life Does Not Die＂
摘要
星雲大師在《人間佛教佛陀本懷》一書的序文一〈人間佛教佛陀本懷〉裡，列出了20則要義，希望將人間佛教真正的原意還復回來。其中有關「生命不死」的闡述就占了七則，超過三分之一，有相當大的比重，可見「生命不死」是人間佛教的核心信念。其實，生命不死、生命輪迴的說法是通於古今中外的，而不只是東方宗教文化思想所獨有。在古代西方哲學思想與宗教典籍中，原本就有輪迴轉世（reincarnation）的概念與說法。早期的基督宗教也並未排斥輪迴轉世的觀點與說法，在早期的《舊約》與《新約》聖經之中皆有輪迴轉世的文獻記載，早期教會的神父也接受輪迴轉世的概念，不少聖徒更相信他們有前世與來生。然而很不幸，這些史實大多被刪除、抹煞及掩蓋了，以致於被大多數世人所遺忘。本文嘗試結合經典義理、歷史考察與哲理詮釋，以星雲大師人間佛教的現代視野，重新解讀「生命不死」的宗教意涵，進而啟發人間佛教菩薩行願的信念與修持。
並列摘要
Venerable Master Hsing Yun outlined twenty essential expositions in the preface of Humanistic Buddhism: Holding True to the Original Intents of Buddha, in order to hold true and return to the original meaning of Humanistic Buddhism. A considerable proportion of more than one-third illustrates the notion of ＂life does not die,＂ which can be found and emphasized in the seven expositions. From ancient to the modern era, various conceptions of ＂life does not die＂ and the ＂cycle of life＂ have surfaced. However, these notions are not uniquely found in Eastern religious and cultural thought. Concepts and postulations on reincarnation are also present in Western philosophical thoughts and religious doctrines. Early Christianity did not reject the views and postulations on reincarnation, as they were documented in the scriptures of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The early church priests accepted the concept of reincarnation, and many saints believed that they had past lives and afterlives. Unfortunately, most of these historical records were removed, obliterated and concealed, hence forgotten by many. This paper attempts to provide a reinterpretation of the religious implication that ＂life does not die＂ in relation to Venerable Master Hsing Yun's modern vision of Humanistic Buddhism. This reinterpretation shall be presented through an integration of canonical analysis, historical investigation, and philosophical interpretation. This reinterpretation offers inspiration for the awakening of faith and practice of the bodhisattva's vow in the world.