From the Mahaparinirvana-Sutra and Zhongsheng Zhengyin to Shen Yue’s Theory of Immortal Soul: A Study on the Relationship between the Buddha--Nature Theory and the Xingshen Theory
Resource
臺大中文學報, 22, 269-312
Journal
臺大中文學報
Journal Issue
22
Pages
269-312
Date Issued
2005-06
Date
2005-06
Author(s)
Shie, R.B.
Abstract
This paper will look at a concrete example of the interplay during the Southern Dynasties between the Buddha-nature (buddhadh?tu) theories and the notion of an "immortal soul". According to the Mah?parinirv?na-S?tra, sentient beings are the "direct cause of buddha-nature" because they continue without an end in sams?ra and are able to become Buddha in the future. Likewise, the continuity of mind (citta) was considered central to the continuation of sentiment beings. The theory of zhongsheng zhengyin advocated by Seng Min of the Zhuangyan Temple and the theory liufa zhengyin advocated by Seng Rou of the Dinglin Temple and Zhi Cang of the Kaishan Tample, basically followed this doctrine, although the essentiality of the continuous mind or shenming was given a stronger emphasis. This was also the foundation of their famous theory of "benyou yudang", which suggests the union of the a priori and the a posteriori in buddha-nature. Shen Yue built on this line of thought in his theory of immortal soul. He contended that the intellectuality, or the receptacle for wisdom, possessed by sentient beings is continuous and maintains its self-identity throughout the process of sams?ra and the path towards enlightenment. This mental continuum is the source of sams?ra, but exists independently from the chain of death and rebirth caused by good or evil thoughts. In the transition from the Mah?parinirv?na-S?tra to the theory of zhongsheng zhengyin, and then to the thought of Shen Yue, we can see how the theory of buddha-nature affected and changed the way people thought about the immortal soul, and eventually replaced it.
Subjects
莊嚴寺僧旻
開善寺智藏
本有於當
神明佛性
范縝
Seng min of the zhuangyam temple
Zhi cang of the Kaishan tample
Benyou yudang
Shenming as buddha-nature
Fan Zhen
Type
journal article
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