《大方廣佛華嚴經》的時空哲學

The Philosophy of Time and Space in the Avataṃsaka-sūtra

《大方廣佛華嚴經》不僅敘述成就佛陀果位的境界及其切要的菩薩行，而且蘊涵著佛教時空觀極其珍貴的教學。本文從哲學的進路，以如下的五點要旨，探究《大方廣佛華嚴經》的時空觀。要旨一，時間與空間是不可截然分別的；要旨二，時間與空間是空的；要旨三，時間與空間是虛幻的；要旨四，時間與空間是不具有邊界或端點的；要旨五，時間與空間是全然暢通的。如上的五點要旨，即構成本文主要的五節。從這五點要旨的解明，不僅有助於切要地理解《大方廣佛華嚴經》的法界觀，而且有助於深刻地領會「時空上的普遍趣入」之理趣。

The Avataṃsaka-sūtra not only narrates the accomplishment of attaining Buddhahood and the relevant practices of Bodhisattvas, but also contains valuable teachings on the philosophy of time and space. From a philosophical approach, this paper surveys and interprets textual sources of Buddhist perspectives on time and space. The main findings can be summarized in the following five points: Firstly, in reality, time and space are intertwined and form an indivisible time-space continuum, and divisions of time, such as into past, present, and future, like the cardinal directions of space, are nothing but conventional groupings. Secondly, time and space are empty of inherent existence. Thirdly, time and space are illusory appearances. Fourthly, time and space have neither border nor end. Fifthly, time and space are free from any obstacles or impediments. The elucidation of the foregoing five points is conducive both to understanding the perspectives on dharma-dhātu in the Avataṃsaka-sūtra and to comprehending the doctrine of universal approach in the context of time-space.