佛教誕生於約二千五百年前的古印度，由釋迦牟尼所創立，以智慧與慈悲為核心，傳播至亞洲各地，影響深遠。在這個跨越時空的長河中，佛教強調每個眾生都藏有一份自性如光的潛能。這份「光」超越色相、超越語言，穿越形而上的宇宙本質，照亮我們每個人的內心。

佛陀在圓寂（涅槃）前，特別叮囑弟子阿難：「Appa dīpo bhava」——「應以自己為島嶼（燈明），以自己為皈依；以法為島嶼（燈明），以法為皈依。」此語出自南傳巴利經典《大般涅槃經》，被視為佛陀最重要的遺教之一，深刻展現佛教強調自覺自依、依法不倚的根本精神，亦成為後世修行者的座右銘。

在經典詮釋中，「dīpa」既可解作「島嶼」，意指眾生於生死輪迴的苦海中，惟自身可為庇護；亦能譯作「燈明」，寓意心中智慧之光能自我照耀、指引方向。漢譯《長阿含經·遊行經》亦言：「是故，阿難！當自熾燃，熾燃於法，勿他熾燃；當自歸依，歸依於法，勿他歸依。」強調向內尋找不竭的光源，自覺自照，不外求他人與權威。

Curatorial Statement

Buddhism originated in ancient India around 2,500 years ago, founded by Śākyamuni and rooted in wisdom and compassion. It spread across Asia, leaving a profound and enduring impact. Throughout this vast journey across time and space, Buddhism emphasizes that every sentient being holds an innate potential—an inner light of true nature. This “light” transcends forms, appearances and languages, reaches into the very essence of existence, and illuminates the heart of each one of us.

Before entering parinirvana (nirvāṇa), the Buddha gave a special instruction to his disciple Ānanda: “Appa dīpo bhava” — “Be an island (a light) unto yourself; be your own refuge. Let the Dharma be your island (your light); let the Dharma be your refuge.”

This teaching comes from the Pāli Canon’s Mahāparinibbāna Sutta in the Theravāda tradition and is regarded as one of the Buddha’s most important final exhortations. It profoundly embodies the core Buddhist spirit of self-awareness, self-reliance, as well as independent and unwavering trust in the Dharma—serving as a guiding motto for generations of practitioners.

In the interpretation of scripture, the word “dīpa” can be understood as either “island”—symbolizing that in the bitter ocean of suffering and Saṃsāra, only oneself can offer refuge—or “lamp”, representing the inner light of wisdom that illuminates and guides from within.

The translation of the Dīrgha Āgama—The Final Journey, echoes this sentiment: “Therefore, Ānanda, be a light unto yourself, a light grounded in the Dharma; do not rely on others for illumination. Take refuge in yourself, take refuge in the Dharma; do not seek refuge in others.” This teaching emphasizes the inexhaustible source of light found within, encouraging self-awareness and inner clarity rather than dependence on others or external authority.

展覽架構
Exhibition Framework

本展依循佛教三大傳承的藝術與文化脈絡，規劃三大單元，引領您踏上一段由歷史走向內心的光明旅程：

• 覺醒之路：以佛教流傳的歷史與早期藝術象徵為起點，以佛足石圖像、啟迪智慧與慈悲的經文，展示佛法如何超越時空界限，喚醒眾生心中的明燈。引領內心覺醒的旅程。
• 曼荼羅世界：步入曼荼羅與法器交織的光明宇宙，體驗多元佛教傳承中法與光的交融。修行者於其中融合覺知、真理與空性的光芒，達成「心、法、空」合一，映現法界圓滿與智慧遍照。
• 成為你自己的光：在大日如來冥想空間，與「Appa dīpo bhava」對話，凝視內在心性。觀眾在沉浸體驗中喚醒自覺與自照，讓光在心中綻放，成為生命的引導。

觀眾將循著展覽動線，由歷史文物的凝視，穿越佛教宇宙觀與藝術之美，最終回到自我的明心體驗——這道光從心而生，照耀自己，也照亮世界。

This exhibition follows the artistic and cultural threads of Buddhism’s three major legacies, presenting three thematic sections that, from historical narrative to one’s inner awakening, guide the audience on a luminous journey:

• The Path of Awakening: Beginning with the history of Buddhism’s transmission and its early symbolic art, this section features images such as the Buddha’s footprints and scriptures that enlighten wisdom and inspire compassion. It reveals how the Dharma transcends time and space, awakening the inner light in all beings and leading us on a journey of inner awakening.
• The Mandala World: Stepping into a radiant universe of mandalas and ritual instruments, where the Dharma and light converge across diverse Buddhist traditions. In this space, practitioners unite awareness, truth, and emptiness—realizing the harmony of “mind, Dharma, and emptiness,” reflecting the fullness of the Dharma realm and the all-encompassing light of wisdom.
• Be a Light Unto Yourself: Entering the meditative space of Vairocana Buddha and engaging in a dialogue with Appa dīpo bhava. Gazing inward and contemplating your true nature. Through an immersive experience, visitors awaken to self-awareness and inner illumination—letting light blossom within and guide the course of life.

Visitors will follow the exhibition’s path, beginning with a gaze into historical artifacts, passing the Buddhist cosmology through the beauty of art, and ultimately returning to a personal experience of inner clarity—this light is born from the heart, illuminating oneself and the world.