On Classification Theory Of Fayuan Zhulin

Fayuan Zhulin(《法苑珠林》),a Buddhism encyclopedia edited by Si Daoshi(释道世) in the early Tang Dynasty,is compiled on the basis of classification of Buddhist general knowledge and daily code of conduct.Since many reasons,its value is not attached enough importance to in the history of knowledge and thoughts.Taking the classification of Fayuan Zhulin(《法苑珠林》) as its center,the dissertation investigates the development of knowledge,especially Buddhist knowledge before Tang Dynasty by taking into consideration both of the editor's classifications and the thoughts of that age.The relatively tolerant religious policies in the early Tang Dynasty make it possible for some religious activists to compile their own fruits of study into books,which objectively promotes the development of religious documents.A great number of Buddhist monks can devote themselves into studying and sorting Buddhist documents due to the stable and blossoming Buddhist-temple economy then,and this economy makes it possible for Buddhist culture enter the knowledge system of the era. The gradually stable politics,the recovered and flourishing economy and the expanding external exchanges in the early Tang Dynasty enable the absorbing and integrating of foreign cultures,which evolves into the tendency of its cultural development.Si Daoshi was born before the sixteenth year of Kaihuang(开皇) in Sui Dynasty(AD 596),and died in the first year of Hongdao(弘道) in Tang Dynasty(AD 683) when he was at least 87 years old. Si Daoshi became a monk as a child.The name of Xuanyun(玄恽) in Si Daoxuan's book,Da Tang Neidian Lu(《大唐内典录》),comes from the habit of Daoxuan.Zhujing Yaoji(《诸经要集》) is the first edition of Fayuan Zhulin by Daoshi.Between the two editions of 100 volumes and 120 volumes, the former is more close to the original one edited by Daoshi.Some folk editions are probably used in the printing and publishing of Jiaxingzhang(《嘉兴藏》).The differences in classifications of Yiwen Leiju(《艺文类聚》) and Fayuan Zhulin are actually those between Chinese traditional knowledge system and Buddhist knowledge system.The development in classifications of Jinglu Yixiang(《经律异相》)and Fayuan Zhulin reflects a transfer of Buddhist knowledge from depending upon Indian cultural traditions to integrating different cultures. The compilation of Fayuan Zhulin is of great significance in perfecting Buddhist knowledge system by widely absorbing Chinese culture,and displays the orientation of integrating the Indian culture and the Chinese culture.The differences in classifications of Daojiao Yishu(《道教义枢》) and Fayuan Zhulin display differences in the spreading mode of knowledge from different standpoints. The changes in the classifications of Zhujing Yaoji and Fayuan Zhulin reflect the socio-cultural foundation of Buddhism in the early Tang Dynasty as well as the changes in Si Daoshi's knowledge and value orientation.The classification of Buddhist documents in Fayuan Zhulin reflects the social actuality in the early Tang Dynasty:the Amitabha(阿弥陀佛) blossoms;the Maitreya(弥勒) keeps influential;and the thought of mercy and Mofa(末法) becomes prevalent.The classification of Gan-Ying-Yuan in Fayuan Zhulin embodies the editor's thought of spreading Buddhism by absorbing various cultures,which,objectively,promotes the social consciousness of poetical justice.In addition, Fayuan Zhulin cites a large number of documents from Shou Shen Ji(《搜神记》),conveying Si Daoshi's intention to spread Buddhism by virtue of the social influence power of traditional thoughts such as Yingyang and five elements(阴阳五行).The volume of biography in Fayuan Zhulin records in details the compilation of Chinese Buddhist documents.It plays a certain role of reference in perfecting Buddhist knowledge system.The classification of Fayuan Zhulin has its great significance in perfecting Buddhist knowledge system,widening the knowledge vision in ancient China,accelerating the development of Buddhism and enhancing the integration of different cultures,etc.