六祖壇經The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch

六祖壇經

 

大家好！

 

胡適先生對中國《六祖壇經》的考據，年輕時候看過，我對其中的36對法最大的感受是：

它在教中國的黒白子「對弈」圍棋。哈哈😆

 

半寄

 

以下AI資料 一、胡適怎麼說《六祖壇經》？ 胡適在他的研究著作〈中國禪宗史〉（特別是〈《壇經》的偽書考據〉章節中），對《六祖壇經》提出了以下幾個核心看法：   1. 非慧能親自撰寫 胡適認為，《壇經》不是慧能的口述記錄，更不是他親筆撰寫，而是由其弟子或再傳弟子根據傳說與講話所編纂。原因包括：  •文風流暢，類似唐中晚期文人筆法；  •引用許多後出經論（如《金剛經》與般若思想的綜合使用）；  •有濃厚的禪宗後期思想風格（特別是與神會學派的風格接近）；  •具有教內宣傳與正統化意圖。   2. 版本混雜，後人加工痕跡明顯 胡適注意到《六祖壇經》有多種版本（如敦煌本、宗寶本、惠昕本等），文字、篇章、用語皆有不同，認為這是後人不斷增修的結果。  •他特別重視敦煌寫本（現藏英國大英博物館），認為它是現存最早、最接近    初形態的版本。  •敦煌本中稱慧能為「南宗第六祖」，而不是整個禪宗第六祖，這與後來全國    正統「六祖」的稱號有所差異。   3. 《壇經》是一部宗教文學傑作 胡適並不否認《壇經》的文學與宗教價值，他說： 「《壇經》雖為偽作，然其為中國佛教最偉大的宗教文學之一，則不可否認。」 他認為《壇經》是一部宗教心靈上的大作，表現了中國禪宗成熟時期的精神高度。   4. 思想上具南宗色彩，乃宗派建構產物 胡適指出，《壇經》大量突顯「南宗頓悟」與「北宗漸修」的對立，尤其在神秀與慧能的對話故事中明顯誇大對比。他認為這反映的是慧能門下，特別是神會門人對正統話語權的爭奪，即是後來「南宗成為正統」的歷史改寫。   胡適的結論：  •《六祖壇經》是慧能思想的後期建構，而非其原始語錄；  •它是一部融合宗教宣傳、文學加工與宗派建構的綜合性文本；  •雖非歷史實錄，但卻對中國佛教思想與文化影響深遠，堪稱「宗教文學經    典」。   引用胡適語錄（選段）： 「《壇經》這一部書是一部宗教小說，也是一部宗教宣傳書，它之所以成為中國佛教第一經，不在它的真實性，而在它的影響力。」

 

 

The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

 

I read Mr. Hu Shih’s textual research on the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch when I was younger.

What struck me most was the 36 sets of paired concepts—it felt as if the sutra was teaching Chinese players how to play a game of Go with black and white stones. Haha 😆

 

Master Banji

 

AI Data   Hu Shih’s Analysis of the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch In his scholarly work A History of Chinese Chan Buddhism, especially in the chapter titled “Textual Criticism of the Platform Sutra as a Forgery,” Hu Shih presented the following key arguments:   1. Not Authored by Huineng Hu Shih asserted that the Platform Sutra was neither written nor dictated by Huineng. Rather, it was compiled by his disciples or later generations based on oral traditions and anecdotes. He supported this claim with several observations:   ● The writing style resembles that of literati from the mid to late Tang dynasty. ● It includes references to later Buddhist texts, such as the Diamond Sutra and concepts from Prajñāpāramitā philosophy. ● The ideas reflect the later developments of Chan thought, particularly those aligned with Shenhui’s school. ● The text appears to serve a promotional purpose, elevating Huineng as a central figure in Chan orthodoxy.   2. Textual Variants Reveal Layers of Editing Hu Shih observed that there are multiple versions of the Platform Sutra, including the Dunhuang manuscript, the Zongbao version, and the Huixin version. These versions differ in vocabulary, structure, and doctrinal emphasis, suggesting repeated revisions and interpolations.   ● He emphasized the significance of the Dunhuang manuscript (held in the British Museum), which he considered the earliest and most authentic version. ● This version refers to Huineng as the “Sixth Patriarch of the Southern School,” not of Chan Buddhism as a whole, indicating that the notion of Huineng as the universal Sixth Patriarch was a later development.   3. A Masterpiece of Religious Literature Despite classifying the Platform Sutra as inauthentic, Hu Shih acknowledged its literary and religious significance. He remarked:   “Although it is a forgery, the Platform Sutra is undeniably one of the greatest religious literary works in Chinese Buddhism.” He viewed it as a profound spiritual text, representing the height of Chan Buddhist expression in China.   4. Sectarian Doctrine and Historical Reconstruction Hu Shih emphasized that the Platform Sutra strongly promotes the Southern School’s doctrine of sudden enlightenment, in contrast to the Northern School’s gradualist approach. This is especially evident in the dramatic portrayal of the debate between Huineng and Shenxiu, where the ideological contrast appears deliberately exaggerated. Hu Shih argued that this reflects the agenda of Huineng’s followers—especially those affiliated with Shenhui—to rewrite Chan history in favor of the Southern School and secure its legitimacy.   Hu Shih’s conclusions: ● The Platform Sutra is not the original words of Huineng, but a later creation based on his ideas. ● It functions as a complex work of religious propaganda, literary stylization, and sectarian formation. ● While not a historical record, it has had a lasting impact on Chinese Buddhist philosophy and culture, and can rightly be regarded as a “classic of religious literature.”   Selected quote from Hu Shih: “The Platform Sutra is both a religious novel and a work of religious propaganda. Its status as the foremost scripture of Chinese Buddhism lies not in its factual truth, but in its enduring influence.”