印順法師佛學詮釋的「中道」進路及其當代意涵

The“Middle Way”Approach in Ven. Yin Shun’s Buddha-Dharma Interpretation and Its Contemporary Significance

「中道」是佛法根本的教說，以之為核心開展出中觀思想，印順法師亦深受此影響，在其佛學詮釋處處可見「中道」特色。本研究以此來探討印順法師佛學詮釋的「中道」進路，包括考察其如何平衡學術與信仰之間。首先介紹印順法師以「中道」為根本信念及方法論的思想原則；其次探討「中道」在印順法師佛學的多重應用，含括其對於整體佛法之判攝抉擇、佛教史興衰之理解、對方便的解釋、大乘起源與大乘佛說的觀點、契理契機人間佛教之主張，以及對於戒律的中道立場；再者進一步分析印順法師「中道」的詮釋進路，從中可看出龍樹中觀學的深刻烙印，以及此一進路或可為視域交融之範式，而對於當今佛學詮釋有所啟發。結語也指出印順法師的中道路線，時而引來相對二邊的兩路夾擊，包括部份守舊的聲聞行者以及中國佛教傳統的信仰者，然此可說是印順法師「中道」佛學詮釋的誤讀。

The“Middle Way”(Madhyamā-pratipad) is the core doctrine of Buddha-Dharma and the foundation of the Mādhyamika school. Master Yin Shun was deeply shaped by this tradition, which permeates his hermeneutic framework. This study examines how the“Middle Way”functions in his interpretation of Buddhism, particularly in mediating the tension between academic rigor and religious faith. It first considers his adoption of the“Middle Way”as both conviction and method, then analyzes its applications: doctrinal classification (panjiao), interpretations of Buddhist historical development, the concept of“skillful means”(upāya), views on the origins and legitimacy of Mahāyāna, advocacy of Humanistic Buddhism, and positions on monastic discipline (Vinaya). Finally, it shows the influence of Nāgārjuna’s Mādhyamika philosophy and suggests this approach offers a model for contemporary Buddhist hermeneutics, despite criticisms from conservative and traditional circles.