39
need for a solid education, both in secular subjects and in Buddhism. The new education proposed would also support the monks in new professional works, which would fulfill the Mahayana ideal of benefiting all beings. Thus, the monks would have an honourable means of livelihood which would externally win respect from all corners of the society, and internally, would give a new sense of purpose in life. A new orientation towards the world is also seen in the recent institution of a Buddhist marriage ceremony at which the monk acts as the chief witness.
Recent responses of Buddhist monks to the changing social situation have lent themselves easily to a psychological analysis. This is precisely what has been done in the above article. The reason for the shift of self-perception has largely been psychological. That is to say: the changes have not been precipitated by convictions of a doctrinal nature and this fact sets limits of change. From what the Buddhists write about science, it is clear that the sangha does not yet have a clear notion of the implications of science for Buddhism. When such a clear notion arises, the effect would be very serious for the sons of the Buddha. But they may yet emerge chastened, but with the founder's vision essentially intact.
NOTES
Holmes Welch, "Buddhist Organizations in Hong Kong," Royal Asiatic Society, Hong Kong Branch, I (1960-61), 99.
*火頭僧,「偕實延續問題」,香港佛教 (abbreviated to 香), V. 208 (1977), p. 4 :「近二十年來,香港佛教界一部份,是適應的,最明顯一點是各道場佛事興隆, 財政延,做到經濟掛帥。佛事一語,指出家人替人誦經禮懺,超度亡靈,或過生日消災延壽。正因誼種佛事興隆,利之所在,不少投機人士崛起,也替人大做佛事,一樣收得」
*編者(速道),「本月二十週年紀念縱橫談」,香, V. 241 (1980), p. 17 : 「二十年來的香港僧團由聚而散,大有一人一樓的傾向,所謂制度,幾乎成了自治區。」
*高永得,「香港佛教各宗派弦做概況」,香, V.241 (1980), p.4.
7
*ibid., p. 8. 「鑑於香港各佛教團體多數是各自為政,尚未收團結一致之效。」
*白聖「致華附大德法師一封公開信」,香, V.206 (1977), p. 5.
That monks received 250 precepts at their ordination at an early time can be seen in a Han document Mo-tzu li huo lun, T2102, 2a, line 2.