唐宋時期，禪宗對自身早期歷史的敘述充斥著「秘傳」的氛圍（如袈裟傳法、拈花微笑等事例），但禪宗的弘傳性格使其本身不需強調密契主義。禪宗歷史敘述中所凸顯的秘傳意識，並非對歷史情況的真實表述，而主要是為滿足彼時現實需要的書寫策略。圍繞秘傳意識建構起的早期歷史，有助於唐宋禪宗解決教團內外有關歷史淵源、教派地位、法脈正庶等問題的質疑和紛爭。

Descriptions of the early history of the Chan school produced during the Tang and Song Dynasties are filled with the concept of secrettransmission, but Chan Buddhism, as an expanding religion, did notneed to emphasize its mysticism. In fact, the use of this concept in theChan school’s own historical narratives was not the expression of ahistorical truth but a method to solve the doubts and controversiessurrounding the historical origin, sectarian positioning, and lineage ofthe Chan school.

禪宗、秘傳、歷史撰述

Chan school, secret transmission, historical narrative