2025年5月22日 星期四

空論The Treatise on Śūnyatā

空論

    

最近感受到讀者對我解釋的《中論27道題》第七章,興趣很高昂,

都收到了!

 

讀書會的現場要解《中論》事實上挑戰很大,讀者要理解它是很困難的,

 

還好台南讀書會都是老師,會提醒我舉什麼例子來講解,他們會容易懂。🙏 

 

塞在腦袋的課沒有先講完,「第八章」是出不來的,所以請耐心等待, 

 

有佛學者想了解《中論》令人振奮,

 

這裡順道再提一個觀點,幾年前在我的讀書會上, 

個人就說:《中觀論》的書名應該是《空論》,

中觀」那是因為人都不能接受空, 

所以硬要用「中觀」的理解,大家才能了解,

其實就是《空論》,

既然大家對《中觀論》這麼有興趣,

 

應該在自己的腦海先培養這種思緒,

 

「沒有中道你怎麼辦?」

 

這是你讀通《空論》大腦必須先有的認知。

提供參考。

 

半寄


大家好!

挑戰與回應

(本來不想回答這個問題,但是想想也不失是一個好話題)


早上一位朋友說:

用現代的物理、量子觀念很容易就接受沒有「中道」這一回事,

個人覺得也是這樣沒有錯,但很「容易」的說法,是很多科學歷經長路後的現代人思維!


但是似乎不是要探討這個問題,而是要探討一種衝擊內心價值感的問題。


比如說;

古代的觀念來講「空」的思維是不可能的,

所以要另外說是為了探討「中道」,所以才用「空」

說明每一種價值在大家的心裡都是一種不可挑戰的線條。


但由於佛法一直談到證悟的問題,

如果說我們對於接受衝擊是這麼容易的話,

則你的內心應該會存在一股力量才對,

這個才是問題所在。

有力量,怎麼走就自己清楚。


半寄


 

The Treatise on Śūnyatā

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

Recently, I’ve noticed great enthusiasm from readers regarding my explanation of Chapter 7 of Nagarjuna’s Middle Way: Mulamadhyamakakarika, I’ve received your feedback with gratitude!

Presenting Mūlamadhyamakakārikā in a study group setting is quite demanding. The concepts are deeply complex, making them difficult for readers to fully grasp.

Fortunately, the Tainan study club consists largely of teachers who help by suggesting practical examples, making the explanations easier to grasp.

Until I’ve resolved the material that’s been occupying my mind, Chapter Eight won’t be released—so I ask for your continued patience.

It’s exciting to see so many Buddhist scholars are interested in understanding Mūlamadhyamakakārikā

On that note, I’d like to revisit a perspective I shared in our study club several years ago: the book The Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā

Madhyamaka” or “Middle Way” is just a softer way to talk about    " śūnyatā " because many people aren’t ready to accept the idea of "śūnyatā " directly. But at its core, the whole book is about " śūnyatā ".

If you're truly interested in Mūlamadhyamakakārikāyou should start cultivating this mindset in your own mind:

What will you do if there is no Middle Way?”

This is the foundational awareness you must develop to truly understand The Treatise on Śūnyatā.

Hope this helps.

Master Banji

 

 

芙蓉花與蜜蜂

拍一個小時才拍幾張





七里香花


2025年5月20日 星期二

經典的矛盾Contradictions in the Buddist Scriptures

經典的矛盾

 

大家好!

 

有大德希望我解釋我認為的北傳佛教經典的矛盾,

我只是貢獻我的所學,有需要的大德拿去用,

再者所謂的矛盾,我認為的矛盾不盡然也是別人認為的矛盾,解釋下去也沒有必要。

南北傳的佛教爭議正熱時,

也不曉得寫了多少文章出來,

結果日本人用一段文解決:

「難道有人會自認為自己是小乘嗎?」


(出自日本佛教學者平川彰教授的著作《印度佛教史》。在該書第3章〈初期的大乘佛教〉中)

 

讀了老半天華人漫天複雜的作品,

看到這一段話竟然捧腹大笑!

有興趣佛法曲曲折折的大德自己去研究吧!

半寄

 

AI資料:

 

《大乘起信論》指出,眾生的心體(即真如)本來清淨,只因起妄念,如波動之水,擾亂了原本清明的水面

 

2.迷而不失真:

論中常說「妄心依真心而起」,但妄並不壞真,如「金雖埋於土中,其性終不失」。這就像太陽雖被雲遮,光明並未消失,只是暫時被覆。」

 

「清淨心仍有妄想」的狀態本身就是矛盾的,尤其是在沒有給出任何理由的情況下。《阿含經》直接從人性修起來。

 

Contradictions in the Buddist Scriptures

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

 

Someone once asked me to explain the contradictions I see in Mahayana Buddhist scriptures. I am merely sharing my understanding, for those who may find it usefulare welcome to use it.

 

Furthermore, what I see as contradictions may not be perceived the same way by others, so there's no need to explain further.

 

During the heated debates between Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism, countless articles were written. In the end, the Japanese summarized it in a single line:

 

Does anyone actually identify themselves as Hinayana?”


(This is from Chapter 3, "Early MahāyānaBuddhism," in A History of Indian Buddhismwritten by the Japanese Buddhist scholar Akira Hirakawa.)


(As I recall, this quote comes from The History of Indian Philosophy.)

 

After reading through countless complex Chinese texts, I burst out laughing upon seeing this line.

 

Those who are truly interested in the winding paths of Buddhist teachings are welcome to explore further on their own.

 

Master Banji

 

AI Data 

According to the Awakening of Faith in the Mahāyāna, the true nature of our mind (also known as tathatā, or “suchness”) is pure by itself. It only gets disturbed when false or confused thoughts (moha) arise—like ripples on calm water.

 

The text also explains that confused thoughts come from the true mind, but they don’t actually damage it. It’s like gold buried in dirt—it stays gold. Or like the sun temporarily obscured by clouds—the light is still there, just covered up for a while.

 

(A state of pure yet still having deluded thoughts ” is a contradiction in itself, especially when no reason is given for it.)

The Āgama Sutras begin cultivation directly from human nature.

 

 




2025年5月19日 星期一

再論野狐狸1-2 Further Reflections on the Wild Fox Koan1-2

再論野狐狸1
(特別感謝海外讀者長期支持,衷心㊗️福佛法與大家)

 

大家好!

 

我在回答問題的時候說印度的佛學也必須採取擷取的態度,

整個北傳佛法到了中國以後的佛教史,遮遮掩掩企圖把印度佛教全部變成中國人的,所以產生了很多奇奇怪怪的經文,

個人讀懂了,也迴避了這些經文,

只想直接地指出,那是印度佛法,就像各地的文化都有它的優劣點,

無需迴避。

 

百丈禪師的「野狐狸公案」,就把佛教變成是在迦葉佛以前就存在於中國的佛法,

時間推算的比釋迦牟尼佛還早存在,

看了都想笑!

甚至於,所有的佛是無量無邊早就存在,這到底是什麼公案?

 

把所謂的成佛變成像開水、自來水一扭就有,那是佛陀很痛苦的思索、修行之道,包括傳法都是冒著生命危險,

現在大筆一揮,變成那一些萬千所謂的佛,都應該是為眾生,早就存在在那裡!

 

整個野狐狸故事,恐怕是「事實」接軌幻想,接續有心的篡改,再推給百丈禪師。

 

有心想在佛法裡面得到成就的大德,請避開這些陷阱。

半寄

 

(百丈禪師(唐代,約720年-814年),是中國唐代禪宗的重要人物,屬於馬祖道一的法嗣,對禪宗的制度化和實踐生活有極大的貢獻。AI資料)

 

Further Reflections on the Wild Fox Koan

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

 

In discussing Buddhist thought, I’ve maintained that we must adopt a discerning approach toward Indian Buddhism. When Buddhism traveled to China, especially through the Northern tradition, Chinese Buddhists often attempted to reframe Indian teachings as inherently Chinese. This effort led to the creation of numerous questionable texts.

 

I've recognized this tendency and consciously avoid such texts

I simply wish to state directly: Indian Buddhism is Indian. Like all cultures, it has both strengths and weaknesses, and there is no need to obscure that fact.

 

The koan of Master Baizhang’s "Wild Fox" turns Buddhism into something that supposedly existed in China even before Kāśyapa Buddha—chronologically earlier than Śākyamuni Buddha himself. This is absurd. Moreover, the idea that Buddhas are infinite and have always existed—what kind of logic is this?

 

Even stranger is the idea that there are countlessso-called Buddhas who have always existed,solely for the sake of sentient beings. It makesthe attainment of Buddhahood sound as easy as turning on a tap. But in reality, the Buddha went through great hardship and deep practice. He even risked his life to share the Dharma.

 

The whole Wild Fox story might be a case of blending fantasy with real story. It may have been changed on purpose, and ultimately attributed to Baizhang.

 

Those who sincerely seek genuine realization in the Dharma should be wary of such narrative traps.

 

Master Banji

 

(Master Baizhang [Tang Dynasty, around 720–814] was an important Chan (Zen) monk in Chinese history. He was a student of Mazu Daoyi and helped shape the everyday practices and rules of Chan Buddhism. — Note generated by AI)

 

 


(2023.7.23用「不昧因果」寫出


再論野狐狸2

 

大家好!

 

很多人都覺得一個佛法故事,只要能達到教化的目的就好,其餘不必太在意。

 

一個發生在百丈禪師身上的故事,在年代上用了「迦葉佛」,把時間無限的擴張、無中生有,這會禍害很多華人修行者,

 

影響所及,產生的「意識觀念」會直覺認為「修行」本來就是需要很久、很久,萬萬年或幾百世的字眼習慣存在,

所以呢?修行必然很痛苦是一定要存在於道業中的。

 

華人的大德去修行,為了開悟歷經苦難他自己也視為理所當然,

例如:虛雲老和尚,(指開悟前的折磨)

因為經典或公案的記載都是這樣,

 

然而,那些記載中的年代就連通過推測的考驗都不可能,

更不要說去考古發掘!

 

為了把佛法中國化的竄改最後還是禍害華人自己,

到了中國,印度佛陀教導的「善思維」,佛學需要思考幾乎全部消失殆盡。

但華人自己又無法創造出更好的佛法來,禪宗的開創佛法依據是殘篇斷簡的,

 

不懂「善思維」,開悟的祖師們把自己歷經的苦難又繼續教下去,因而只能在逼迫自己的日子中去尋找佛法。

 

走過絲路,難以想像玄奘大師留學走過的煎熬,

留學不就是增加自有的文化不足嗎?

玄奘大師的《大唐西域記》被考古學家及歷史學家認定是最精準的地理書,

不能想像後代的華人對竄改這麼有興趣。

 

而華人有心人創造出的佛法次文化,反倒成了主流,影響著華人修行者,真正的佛法還沒有思維過,

也渾然不覺次文化讓「善思維」的喪失已經丟了多少寶貴的佛法,

徒使修行者身心受著不必要的苦。

半寄

半寄

 

AI資料:《大唐西域記》的考古學與歷史價值

 

《大唐西域記》是唐代玄奘法師根據自己長達17年西行取經經歷,所口述、由弟子辯機整理撰成的地理與見聞記錄。它對中亞、南亞地區的地理、政治、經濟、宗教、民族、語言等方面做了詳細描述。

 

考古學界、歷史學界普遍認為它是:

 

      古代世界地理記載中極為精確、可信的記錄之一

      特別是對於印度河流域、中亞絲路地帶的城市遺址分布、民

族特徵、佛教遺跡等描述,在現代考古中常被用來對照遺址定位與校正歷史記錄。

 

Further Reflections on the Wild Fox Koan 2

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

Many people think that as long as a Buddhist story achieves the purpose of moral instruction, the accuracy of its content is not important.

One story involving Chan Master Baizhang uses the name of Kāśyapa Buddha to stretch the timeline infinitely, creating something from nothing. This misleads many Chinese practitioners.

It leads people to believe that spiritual practice must take a very long time—maybe millions of years or hundreds of lifetimes. So they start to think that suffering is just a normal and necessary part of the path.

Great Chinese Buddhist practitioners often accept suffering as a natural part of the path to enlightenment. Master Xuyun, for instance, endured severe hardships before his awakening, as described in Buddhist scriptures and Zen stories.

 

However, the dates in those records can't hold up to logical analysis, let alone to be verified through archaeology.

Changing Buddhism to fit Chinese culture ended up hurting Chinese Buddhists.
When Buddhism came to China, the Buddha’s original teaching of “thinking clearly and wisely” almost disappeared.
But Chinese culture didn’t develop a better way to practice either.
Zen Buddhism was built on incomplete texts.

Because people didn’t understand clear thinking”, those who were enlightened taught others to go through suffering like they did.
So people started believing that the only way to find the truth was by pushing themselves through pain and hardship.

It is hard to imagine the suffering Master Xuanzang endured on his journey through the Silk Road. Studying abroad is meant to fill the gaps in one's own culture. His book, The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, is considered by historians and archaeologists to be one of the most accurate geography books ever written.
Yet paradoxically, later Chinese Buddhists showed a strong tendency to alter historical narratives.

Thus, a Buddhist subculture created by the Chinese deliberately-adpted stories eventually overshadowed the original Dharma.Few critically examined the teachings they inherited, and fewer still noticed how much of Buddhism’s intellectual and contemplative depth had been lost.

As a result, practitioners suffer unnecessarily in both body and mind.

Master Banji

AI Data : The Archaeological and Historical Significance of the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions

The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, is a geographical and cultural account dictated by the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang, based on his 17-year pilgrimage to India. The text was compiled and written by his disciple Bianji. It provides detailed descriptions of the geography, politics, economy, religion, ethnic groups, and languages of Central and South Asia.

Archaeologists and historians widely regard it as: 

·       One of the most precise and reliable geographical records from the ancient world

·       Particularly valuable for its meticulous accounts of urban settlements, ethnographic observations, and Buddhist heritage sites across the Indus Valley and Central Asian segments of the Silk Road, which continue to serve as essential references for modern archaeological mapping and historical reconstruction