繼程法師現代禪偈之研究

Abstract

本論文以繼程法師所撰寫的十七本現代禪偈著作（2003-2019）為主，探討法師如何利用禪偈說明禪法與進行弘法。法師身為禪師以各種方法弘禪，而禪偈是其中之一，也佔據法師的眾佛學作品中很大的數量。筆者將一共4555首的禪偈，依內容中所傳達的主要訊息，進行歸類與分析，將相同主題的禪偈再歸為九大類別，這能夠有助於清楚了解法師撰寫禪偈的性質與用意，及如何運用禪偈傳達佛法與禪法的意涵。

從中可以知道法師創作禪偈的慣用體裁，如齊言與雜言的形式，與所展現的風格，如透過譬喻、提問、自問自答與仿古詩等等的方式。法師的現代禪偈，利用現代人比較容易理解的白話及簡潔方式而創作。法師透過現代禪偈，表達自己修學禪法的體驗，讓讀者能夠在讀的過程中與自己的生命做連結。法師運用善巧方便，並發揮文字弘法的功能，將自己的禪修經驗轉換成文字的敘述，使人能夠更具體明白禪法進而學習禪法，充份展現了佛教慈悲與智慧的精神。

法師從聖嚴法師處得到了臨濟與曹洞兩宗法脈的傳承，在多個國家教導禪法，在禪偈中提到主要教導的禪修法門有止觀、默照、話頭、念佛禪法。法師藉由創作禪偈，說明多年的弘禪與教學經驗，展現其禪法思想特色，並常常強調重要的佛法觀念，提醒禪眾正確的修行心態，積極在各地教導禪修，讓禪法流傳更廣更遠。

The main subject of this thesis is the seventeen volumes of the modern Chan verses composed between 2003 and 2019 by Chan Master Chi Chern. The thesis discusses the ways Chi Chern uses the verses to explain Chan and spread Buddhism. It categorizes 4555 Chan verses, based on the main points of their content, and analyzes them. Nine categories of the Chan verses with analogical themes are created. This helps to clarify the understanding of the nature and purport of Chi Chern's verses as well as their structure and style, e.g. frequent usage of metaphors, dialogues, and imitations of ancient poetry (gushi 古詩).

Chi Chern, being a Chan master, applies various methods to promote Chan. One of them is composing the Chan verses, which represent a big part of the Buddhist literature created by him. In his modern Chan verses, Chi Chern uses concise modern Chinese language which is easily understood by the contemporary people. Through the modern Chan verses, he expresses his own Chan practice and experience, thus letting the readers incorporate them into their own lives. Chi Chern uses skillful means in the form of words in order to spread dharma. He turns his own meditative experiences into words to let people thoroughly understand Chan and practice it accordingly. Thus, he fully expresses the spirit of Buddhist loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom.

Chi Chern inherited dharma from Master Sheng Yen within two Chan lineages, Linji and Caodong. He has taught Chan in many different countries. The most important methods of meditation discussed in Chi Chern`s Chan verses are calmness-and-insight, silent illumination, meditation on huatou, and recitation of Buddha's name. In the Chan verses, he describes his experience of teaching and popularizing Chan for many years and presents his own Chan thought. He emphasizes understanding of the main Buddhist ideas and keeps reminding Chan practitioners of the correct state of mind during practice. In every place, he actively gives instructions on Chan practice, thus perpetuating Chan and spreading it in all directions.