중국불교에서 『유마경』 강찬 전통과 해석의 의의

초록

The Vimalakīrti Sūtra (維摩經), a fundamental scripture of early Mahāyāna Buddhism, systemically elucidates the theoretical and practical foundations of the bodhisattva path (菩薩行) deeply embedded in the radical non-duality (不二) thought. Its profound teachings significantly influenced the development and dissemination of Mahāyāna Buddhism across East Asia, particularly within the Chinese cultural and religious contexts. Kumārajīva’s (鳩摩羅什) translation, the Weimojie suoshuo jing (維摩詰所說經), has traditionally been recognized as the most authoritative Chinese version due to its exceptional literary refinement and philosophical depth. However, existing scholarship has predominantly focused on doctrinal interpretations based on Kumārajīva’s rendition, thus marginalizing earlier translations (such as those by Zhi Qian 支謙) and their vibrant exegetical traditions (講讚). To address this gap, the present study conducts a comprehensive historical and philological analysis. First, it comparatively investigates pre-Kumārajīva translations and their associated medieval exegetical traditions, utilizing textual criticism to reconstruct the evolving interpretative frameworks of the sūtra. Second, it traces post-Kumārajīva hermeneutical trajectories, highlighting seminal figures such as Sengzhao (僧肇), Sengrui (僧叡), and Daosheng (道生), whose distinctive interpretive activities significantly shaped subsequent Buddhist thought. By further exploring monastic-lay interactions, this research underscores how the Vimalakīrti Sūtra functioned as a “living practical text,” effectively bridging monastic discipline, lay devotion, doctrinal orthodoxy, and popular religious practices. Ultimately, this paper argues that the Vimalakīrti Sūtra served as an essential intermediary transcending sectarian boundaries, integratively linking philosophical discourse, literary aesthetics, and religious praxis within the Chinese context. Additionally, it proposes a novel methodological approach addressing the contemporary scholarly divide between textual exegesis and lived spiritual practice, thus significantly contributing to current debates in religious studies regarding the adaptive dynamics of Mahāyāna Buddhism across diverse cultural settings.

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