莊春江居士Layman Chuang Chun-chiang

 莊春江居士

兩三年前的讀書會上，有一回純德社長分享莊居士的阿含經故事選，
我剛開始只以為是分享《雜阿含經》，但是越聽越覺得他講的內容有點奇怪，便問純德說這是誰寫的？

純德剛開始讀《雜阿含經》時，
我那時候都查莊居士的《雜阿含經》對比的原文資料，就請他去那邊看，
但沒有注意到他們有解釋白話文的故事內容，

我覺得那個內容解釋不懂佛法的深義，
在當場有指出解釋怪在那裡。
後來純德社長就沒有在讀書會上提起莊居士的資料，

莊居士的《雜阿含經》原文南北傳對比，我覺得做得很好，
但不想再回溯當時那一篇故事的解說，
只想提醒南禪的讀者，像純德社長現在這樣做交叉對比解讀，得佛法的利益更加準確。
半寄

純德社長給我的line

1.師父，莊春江居士去年八月往生，樹葬在麟洛。
我晚上在整理雜阿含經卷二十，去他的網站查資料才發現的。我看到這個消息後，全身起雞皮疙瘩發冷，有點傷感，他的網站是師父介紹我去看的，我研究南北傳阿含經會去查資料的地方。
願他 離苦得樂 得證聖果！

2.這陣子在家讀雜阿含經，速度真是超快的，應該再幾個月就可以讀完50 卷，真是過癮欸！

Layman Chuang Chun-chiang

 

At a study group two or three years ago, President Chunde once shared selections of stories from Layman Chuang’s work on the Āgama sutras.

 

At first, I assumed he was simply introducing the Saṃyukta Āgama. But the more I listened, the more something felt off. So I asked him who the author was.

 

When Chunde first began reading the Saṃyukta Āgama, I used to consult Layman Chuang’s comparative materials between different versions of the text and suggested that he refer to them as well. However, I hadn’t noticed that those materials also included explanatory story interpretations in plain language.

 

In my view, those explanations did not capture the deeper meaning of the Buddha’s teachings. I pointed out, at the time, where the interpretations seemed problematic. After that, President Chunde no longer brought up Layman Chuang’s materials during the study club.

 

That said, I do think Layman Chuang’s comparative work on the northern and southern transmissions of the Saṃyukta Āgama is excellent. I have no intention of revisiting that particular story or its explanation.

 

I simply want to remind readers of NanZen that, like what President Chunde is doing now—cross-referencing and interpreting the texts—this approach leads to a more accurate understanding and greater benefit from the Dharma.

 

Master Banji

 

Messages from President Chunde (via LINE):

1.“Master, Layman Chuang Chun-chiang passed away last August. His remains were placed in a tree burial in Linluo.

I only found out tonight while organizing Volume 20 of the Saṃyukta Āgama and checking his website for references. When I saw the news, I got goosebumps and felt a chill, along with a sense of sadness.

It was you, Master, who introduced me to his website—it’s been an important resource for my study of the northern and southern Āgamas.

 

May he be free from suffering, attain happiness, and realize the fruits of awakening.”

 

2.“Recently, I’ve been reading the Saṃyukta Āgama at home, and my pace has been incredibly fast. I should be able to finish all 50 volumes in a few months—it’s really satisfying!”