基于语义三角理论的佛教术语观

佛教的术语观源于佛教的语言观,即佛教认为语言的本质是虚妄的,没有自性(即体性)。从语义三角理论出发,总结佛教的术语观,即能指与所指间、概念与所指间、概念与能指间都表现出不同于世俗语言学的符号关系。语义三角的三个位点都可以体现为虚妄相或多元可置换性。真如实相的术语观是三个位点都体现为虚妄相,部分位点的虚妄相和不同程度的多元可置换性都是佛菩萨顺应众生根基所采取的相应变通。

Buddhist Outlook on Technical Terms from Perspective of Semantic Triangle Theory

Buddhist outlook on technical terms originates from its language outlook, that is, language is illusionary and has no ontological status. From the perspective of Semantic Triangle Theory, there are three types of semantic structures in Buddhist terms, namely, the interactions between signifier and signified, between concept and signifier, and between concept and signified, which are different from worldly linguistics. At any of the points in the triangle, there can be illusions or multiple substitutability. The truthful outlook of Buddhist terminology presents illusions at all points,while partial illusions or multiple substitutability at any level result from Buddhas’ or Bodhisattvas’ accommodations based on the All Life’s status of enlightenment.