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Historical Retroduction and Philosophical Reflection to The Liang
Biographies (The Buddhist hagiologies): An Analytical Approach

Abstract

　The Liang Biographies (The Buddhist hagiologies), on the basis of different virtues of monks, was completed by Huijiao (497~554) in the Liang dynasty. And in accordance with the special contributions of these eminent monks, the work was divided into ten categories. Xingfu (benefactors) was originally the least important of the ten. Instead, "being a benefactor" has been a main concern in the Buddhist enterprises today. It is true that there are so many benefactors now but the studies on Xingfu are few. The thesis will deal with lun (treatise) at the end of Xingfu with respect to the premise of the implied conditions in the reasoning, trying to make clear the issues that the editor Huajiao was concerned about. Also, I will probe and analyze its related issues profoundly and finally bring forward my reflections in the light of the western contemporary thoughts. In such a way, I hope my argument will be much benefit to combining theory and practice in the Buddhist benefaction.

　Within the framework as stated above, the thesis will be discussed as follows:

1.0 Introduction

The introductory chapter introduces the whole structure and how the discourse is going on in the following chapters.

2.0 A historical examination of lun in Xingfu

First I will find out its significance in the Buddhist documents, including its genre and style. Secondly, I will
examine how the point of view and the content were formed, especially how it was handed down, what was its creative insight and the critique by later generations. The last part of this chapter will refer to its background and allusion related.

3.0 An Analysis of the issues lun in Xingfu implies

In this chapter I will analyze the layout first and then derive from it my theory. My purpose is to make the issues possible by means of the premise of the implied conditions in lun. The methodology is based on dialectic, and such thoughts as subjectivism, the nature of phenomenology, and the idea of "holiness” in religious phenomenology. Within the framework of western philosophy, finally I am intended to specify the issues in terms of Buddhism, including the vision when a pious practitioner senses formless Dharma-body in his quest, and Long-shu's Mādhyamika (the Middle Way).

4.0 The relation between the two truths (The conventional truth ultimate truths) and Fu-hui Guan (the philosophy of blessedness and wisdom)

The text of lun presents the two-fold truth associated with Fu-hui Guan. With the two-fold truth, not only can we prove the basic assumption of the editor but also interpret and develop the Buddhist Fu-hui Guan further. I will bring up my remarks, by this approach, on several problems concerned with Fu-hui Guan, and also give some supplements to it.

5.0 Conclusion

Besides the emphasis on the importance of the dialectic structure of my discourse and the main ideas in Xingfu that I have already analyzed, I will, in the final chapter, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of my thesis, and account for its characteristic and
limitation as well. As for the problems extended in analyzing the issues, I will bring up further studies and subsequent project in the coming future.

 

Key words:

1.the Liang Biographies　2.Lun-zan　3.Fu-hui　4.Huijiao　 5.Dharma-kāya
6.senses　7.religious phenomenology　8.the two-fold truth