本文梳理佛教文獻中對如來禪與祖師禪的相關論述，概括出兩種禪法的主要含義，並且指出：其區別在於藉教悟宗與教外別傳、真心體用與自心顯用、漸修頓悟與無修頓悟、人格理想與藝術境界四個不同方面；其歷史界限為從菩提達摩至弘忍是如來，從慧能至禪宗五家形成前是由如來禪向祖師禪的過渡形態，五家的形成標誌著禪宗進入祖師禪階段；祖師禪的提出與流變是受中國固有文化影響的結果，具有深刻的思想文化背景和重要的歷史文化意義。

This paper formulates the statements about Tathagata Chan and Bodhidharma Chan in Buddhist literature. Moreover, it also points out that the distinction between Tathagata Chan and Bodhidharma Chan is the differences between systematic understanding and intuitive epiphany, between true mind and mind of self, between sudden satori and gradual satori, and between the ideal of character and the state of art. The time form Bodhidharma to Hung-ren is historically called Tathagata Chan Buddhism, the passage from Hui-neng to the formation of the five schools of Chan is the transition period, and the formation of five schools of Chan marks the turning to Budhidharma Chan Buddhism. The introduction and the development of Bodhidharama Chan Buddhism resulted from the influence of Chinese culture and therefore carried important cultural and historical significance.