計畫緣起

計畫緣起 - Question 2: When punctuating or re-editing the Buddhist Tripitaka, what matters must be paid attention to?

Question 2: When punctuating or re-editing the Buddhist Tripitaka, what matters must be paid attention to?

Answer: As stated in the text of Upasaka Wang Muti's Spring and Autumn of Yogacara:

"Why do Buddhist sutras and treatises need to retain the original texts of the Tripitaka, such as 'The Treatise States' (論曰) or 'The Commentary States' (述曰)? For example, the Cheng Weishi Lun Integrated Compilation mentions why the word 'states' (曰) is placed in this treatise: 'However, the Abhidharmakośa-bhāṣya has verses of homage and prose explanations, both of which were composed by Vasubandhu Bodhisattva. The Mahāyāna-saṃgraha only has verses of homage and no prose explanations; the authors of the root text and the commentary are different. Now, following the Mahāyāna-saṃgraha, and also based on the Abhidharmakośa, etc., before the main verses, the words 'The verse states' are placed, and the prose is crowned with 'The treatise states'. This treatise now does the same. The words of the verse do not apply to the prose, but the treatise applies to both; thus, saying 'The treatise says' is of no great hindrance. From here down, the quoted texts only say 'The treatise' without adding the word 'says' (云), but all treatises place the word 'states' (曰).' Knowing that the prose is crowned with 'The treatise states,' one must not delete it at the editor's whim."

"For anyone re-editing, providing commentary, parsing sentences, organizing comparative readings, or interpreting sutras and treatises, you must absolutely not arbitrarily change the position of the sentences in the texts, such as reversing the order of the sentences. Furthermore, you must absolutely not delete the original treatises existing in the Tripitaka; otherwise, it will result in a grave fault. What fault? The great fault of rendering people unable to generate faith. If it is necessary to delete or move the inner text of a sutra or treatise, one should provide an explanation to avoid causing misunderstandings for future students. ... One must contemplate every single word and sentence of the Buddhist sutras and treatises; only in this way can one enter the Dharma door without generating misunderstandings."