[Explanation] Why is Amitabha Buddha, some people pronounce it as "阿(ā)" Amitabha, but some people pronounce it as "阿(ē)" Amitabha?
Scholars of Buddhism and Sanskrit here believe that after Buddhism was introduced into China, the way of chanting scriptures has changed due to the influence of Chinese people’s personality and phonological cultural habits. The "(ā) rhyme" from ancient Indian Sanskrit gradually merged into a small mouth. The type and peaceful "(ē) sound combination" reflects the history of the introduction of Buddhism into China and the influence of Chinese culture from one side.
Shi Yongwu, a national representative inheritor of Yushan Fanbai, a national intangible cultural heritage, recently accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency "Dongxi Questions", and vividly explained the changes that Buddhism has undergone after it was introduced to China.
[Concurrent] Shi Yongwu, the representative inheritor of Yushan Fanbai, a national intangible cultural heritage
After Indian Buddhism was introduced to China in the late Western Han Dynasty, it gradually evolved into Chinese localization through dynasties and eventually became Chinese Buddhism.
In this long historical process, many landmark events of historical significance have occurred.
For example, the successive establishment of the eight sects of Han Buddhism "Nature, Xiang, Taiwan, Virtue, Zen, Purity, Secret, and Law" is an important sign of the completion of the Sinicization of Buddhism.
The publication of "Six Patriarch Altar Sutra" and the establishment of "Bai Zhang Qing Gui" are milestone monographs in the process of Sinicization of Buddhism.
The inheritance of Buddhist sculpture skills, temple construction techniques, Zen fist martial arts, Buddhist medicine, compilation of Tripitaka, etc., are all major achievements in the five fields of Chinese Buddhism, such as workmanship, medical prescriptions, inner Ming, and Yin Ming. .
[Explanation] According to Shi Yongwu, the Buddhist "Five Ming", which began with the establishment of Yushan Fanbai by Cao Zhi of the Three Kingdoms, stated that the sinicization of linguistics was the earliest, the most extensive and lasting important symbol of the sinicization of Buddhism. Sexual events.
So, what are the Chinese cultural elements and characteristics contained in Yushan Fanbai?
[Concurrent] Shi Yongwu, the representative inheritor of Yushan Fanbai, a national intangible cultural heritage
Yushan Fanbai is the crystallization of the wisdom of the invention, creation and application of the phonological language and culture of early Chinese four tones, five tones, seven tones, and twelve-lülü. Interpreting the development thoughts of Buddhist classics and forming the unique Buddhist theory of sound and self-nature, inheriting the four virtues of Confucian rituals and music.
Buddhism was spread in the form of music that the Chinese loved to hear, and it flourished throughout the country and spread to Southeast Asian countries.
Fanbai draws on and integrates the theoretical principles and expressions of ancient Chinese ritual and music culture, and strives to draw water and nourishment from the inherent Chinese culture in the process of Sinicization and localization of Buddhism.
[Explanation] Fanbai involves multiple theoretical knowledges such as Chinese phonology, linguistics, meridian studies, and musicology. Shi Yongwu said that in the future dialogue with different civilizations in the contemporary world, the role of Yushan Fanbai as a cultural bridge should be better played, and Fanbai should be used. Create and inherit a Chinese story that tells good civilizations and mutual learning.
[Concurrent] Shi Yongwu, the representative inheritor of Yushan Fanbai, a national intangible cultural heritage
To protect the intangible cultural heritage, we must especially protect the profound and inclusive Chinese cultural spirit contained in the connotation of Fanbai, and more importantly, protect the Chinese wisdom in the Fanbai culture that welcomes and accepts and reasonably digests heterogeneous civilizations. Let this wisdom be And the spirit is always alive.
(Reported by Wang Feng, Liang Ben and Lv Yan in Liaocheng, Shandong)
Editor in charge: 【Luo Pan】