3月12日

佛法，亦宗教亦哲學
湯用彤 ( 1893~1964 )

佛法，亦宗教、亦哲學。宗教情緒，深存人心。
往往以莫須有之史實為象徵，發揮神妙之作
用。故如僅憑陳跡之搜討，而無同情之默應，
必不能得其真。

哲學精微，悟入實相。古哲慧發天真，慎思
明辨，往往言約旨遠，取譬雖近，而見道深弘。
故如徒於文字考證上追求，而乏心性之體會，
則所獲者其糟粕而已。

──選自《漢魏兩晉南北朝佛教史》

March 12th

Buddhism, a Religion and Also a Philosophy
Tang Yongtong (1893 - 1964)
English translation: Miao Guang

Buddhism is both a religion and a philosophy. This religious
sentiment, deeply imbued in the hearts of people, often
causes them to fabricate historical reality and render
supernatural effects to symbolic happenings. Therefore,
to rely solely on historical facts without any sense of empathy,
one will certainly fail to attain the Truth.

Philosophy involves an attainment of Truth in a precise
and meticulous manner. The wisdom of ancient philosophy
remains naive yet cautious in thinking, and direct in argument.
Their language is usually simple yet profound, and uses
relevant examples that embody deep thinking. Therefore, to
only seek for the validation of textual evidence without any
spiritual attainment, one will only gain what is as good as dregs.

── from Hanwei Liangjin Nanbeichao Fojiao Shi
(History of Buddhism in the Han, Wei, Jin, Southern, and Northern Dynasties)