梁武帝「斷酒肉文」譯注

Abstract

The present research seminar (April 2020-March 2024) attempts to shed a new light on the actual situation of Buddhist Laity in medieval China. As Chinese Buddhism underwent various developments between the fourth and seventh centuries, not only monastics but also laypeople played a large role. Significant topics include the following questions: To what extent did laypeople possess knowledge of Buddhism? On what points was that knowledge similar to and different from the knowledge held by monastics? Were there any shared likes and dislikes of particular Buddhist scriptures and ideas among laypeople? Being a partial result of the seminar projects, the present report is an approach to achieving a goal in the form of an annotated translation of the Complete Abstinence from Alcohol and Meat (Duan jiu rou wen 斷酒肉文 in the 26th fascicle of Daoxuanʼs 道宣 Guang hongming ji 廣弘明集), a lecture delivered by Emperor Wu of the Liang (Liang Wudi 梁武帝, r. 502-549) together with his dialogues with major vinaya masters (lüshi 律師) in Jiankang 建康 (present-day Nanjing) around 520 CE or slightly earlier.