論楊起元之三教觀

A Study on Yang Qiyuan’s Concept of Three Teachings

本文乃探討明儒楊起元之三教觀。主要從「歷史的考察」、「思想的會通」、「理論的檢驗」、「意義與限制」等四個層面加以論述。「歷史的考察」，乃談楊起元與佛道之交涉考及對闢佛之探討。「思想的會通」，則論三教之起源、三教之調和與儒釋之會通；「理論的檢驗」，則從其論述處作一理論的檢討；「意義與限制」，則論其三教觀之意義與限制不足處。總的來說，楊起元對三教進行肯認、會通，實促進了三教的對話與交流，也扭轉了儒學對佛教的偏見與攻擊，而認真看待佛道對儒學的功能與補益處。故其三教觀實有學術研究的意義，除深化陽明後學研究外，也是見證三教在晚明間融和的歷史軌跡。而其限制不足處，即在無法深入學理的對比，其會通點多著墨於「工夫進路同質性的觀察」，而缺乏了「本體內涵異質性的分析」與「整體對比性的觀照」。

This article studies the concept of three teachings by Yang Qiyuan, aConfucian scholar in the Ming Dynasty. The study consists of four sections asfollows: 'historical survey,' 'integration of thoughts,' 'theoretical check,' and'significance and limitations'. 'Historical survey' investigates Yang’sinvolvement with the intellectual events concerning the Confucian engagement ofBuddhism and Taoism and the dispute on Buddhism. 'Integration of thoughts'enquires into the origin and reconciliation of the three teachings as well as theintegration of Confucianism and Buddhism. 'Theoretical check' provides atheoretical review of Yang’s arguments. 'Significance and limitations' sums upYang’s theories of three teachings and evaluates their shortcomings. Yang’saffirmation and integration of three teachings promote dialogue between thesethree religions; they also reverse the Confucian bias against and attacks onBuddhism and foster serious evaluations of possible Buddhist contributions toConfucianism. Yang’s thoughts are academically significant in that they deepenpost-Yangming Thought studies and witness the historical development in theharmonization of the three teachings in the late Ming Dynasty. Yang’s limitationslie in his inability to provide theoretical contrasts among the three teachings; hisstudies make 'homogeneous observations on the practices of cultivation,' but lack'heterogeneous analysis of ontology' and 'holistic contrast.'