3.Abhidharma-pitaka 論藏

Abhidharma is a Sanskrit term that means “that which is concerned with the Dharma.” In other words, it is the wisdom and the path to nirvana ac-quired through discussing and expounding the Dharma. The Abhidharma-pitaka was compiled by Buddhists’ systematic attempt to discuss, elucidate, and organize the Buddha teachings. Some commonly known ex-amples are: the Mula-Madhyamaka-sastra (Zong-lun), the Dvadasanikaya-sastra (Shi-er-men-lun), the Ma-ha-prajna-paramitopidesa (Ta-Chih-tu-lun), the Sa-ta-sastra (Bai-lun), the Yogacara-bhumi-sastra (Yu-chieh-shih-ti-lun), the Mahayana-sraddhotpa-da-sastra (Ta-cheng-chi-hsin-lun), and the Dasab-humi-sustra-sastra (Shi-ti-jing-lun).

The Tripitaka represents the teachings of the Buddha, the doctrines of Buddhism, and the guidelines of practice for Buddhists. A monastic who possesses in-depth understanding of the sutra is called a “Master of Sutra,” one with in-depth understanding of the vinaya is called a “Master of Vinaya,” and one with in-depth understanding of abhidharma is called a “Master of Abhidharma.” Those with supreme under-standing of the Tripitaka are called “Master of the Tripitaka.” For examples, masters such as Xuanzang, Kum罝raj椌va, Paramartha, I-ching, Fa-hsien and even Zhu Shixing all possessed in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Tripitaka; therefore, they are worthy of being called “Master of the Tripitaka.”

The Buddha became enlightened because of the Dharma, while the Sangha became teachers for Bud-dhists because they uphold the Dharma; thus the Dhar-ma is regarded as the most precious amongst the Triple Gem.

The Diamond Sutra says, “Wherever this sutra can be found, there also is the Buddha; and it should be honored as if it were one of his disciples.” From this we can see the preciousness of the Dharma.



【Keywords： 關鍵字】
1.Mula-Madhyamaka-sastra ：中論
2.Dvadasanikaya-sastra ：十二門論
3.Maha-prajna-paramitopidesa： 大智度論
4.Yogacara-bhumi-sastra：瑜伽師地論
5.Mahayana-sraddhotpada-sastra ：大乘起信論
6.Dasabhumi-sustra-sastra： 十地經論
7.Kumarajiva： 鳩摩羅什
8.Paramartha： 真諦
9.Diamond Sutra ：金剛經