..續本文上一頁ghest and most sacred conception in Indian thought, and in it the Buddha includes parents. So in good Buddhist families at the present time children literally ”worship” their parents every day, morning and evening. They have to perform certain duties towards their parents according to the ”noble discipline”: they should look after their parents in their old age; should do whatever they have to do on their behalf; should maintain the honour of the family and continue the family tradition; should protect the wealth earned by their parents; and perform their funeral rites after their death. Parents, in their turn, have certain responsibilities towards their children: they should keep their children away from evil courses; should engage them in good and profitable activities; should give them a good education; should marry them into good families; and should hand over the property to them in due course.
第一:父母是神聖的。佛說:“父母就叫做梵摩。”“梵摩”這一名詞在印度人的心目中,代表的是最高、最神聖的觀念,而佛卻將雙親也包括在這裏面。因此,在現今良好的佛教家庭中,兒童們對于家長每天朝夕都要各禮拜乙次。他們必須根據聖律對雙親盡某些職分,諸如:在雙親年老時負起扶養之責;代表雙親盡他們應盡的本分;保持家庭傳統于不墜而且光大門楣;守護雙親辛苦積聚的財富勿令散失;于他們死後遵禮成服,妥爲殡殓。輪到了父母,他們對子女也有某種責任:應避免子女墮入惡道,教令從事有益的活動,予以良好之教育,爲他們從良好的家庭中擇配,並于適當時機以家財付與。
Second: The relation between teacher and pupil: a pupil should respect and be obedient to his teacher; should attend to his needs if any; should study earnestly. And the teacher, in his turn, should train and shape his pupil properly; should teach him well; should introduce him to his friends; and should try to procure him security or employment when his education is over.
第二:師弟關系。弟子對師長必須恭敬服從,師有所需必須設法供應,並應努力學習。另一方面,老師必須善爲訓練弟子,使成良好模範;應當諄諄善誘,並爲他介紹朋友;卒業之後更應爲他謀職,以保障他生活的安定。
Third: The relation between husband and wife: love between husband and wife is considered almost religious or sacred. It is called sadāra-Brahmacariya ”sacred family life”. Here, too, the significance of the term Brahma should be noted: the highest respect is given to this relationship. Wives and husband should be faithful, respectful and devoted to each other, and they have certain duties towards each other: the husband should always honour his wife and never wanting in respect to her; he should love her and be faithful to her; should secure her position and comfort; and should please her by presenting her with clothing and jewellery. (The fact that the Buddha did not forget to mention even such a thing as the gifts a husband should make to his wife shows how understanding and sympathetic were his humane feelings towards ordinary human emotions). The fire, in her turn, should supervise and look after household affairs; should entertain guests, visitors, friends, relatives and employees; should love and be faithful to her husband; should protect his earnings; should be clever and energetic in all activities.
第叁:夫婦關系。夫婦之愛,也被視爲幾乎是宗教性而神聖的,這種關系,叫做“神聖的家庭生活(居家梵行)”。
這裏面“梵”字的意義又是值得注意的;就是說,這種關系也是應當付予最高敬意的。夫婦應當彼此忠實、互敬互諒,向對方盡其應盡之義務。丈夫應當禮遇其妻,決不可對她不敬。他應當愛她,對她忠實,鞏固她的地位,使她安適,並贈以衣飾珠寶,以博取她的歡心。(佛甚至不忘提醒丈夫應以禮物贈與妻子,足見他對凡夫的情感是何等了解、同情而具有人情味。)輪到妻子的時候,她應當照顧家務,接待賓客、親友和受雇的傭工;對丈夫愛護、忠實、守護他的收入,並在一切活動中保持機智與精勤。
Fourth: The relation between friends, relatives and neighbours: they should be hospitable and charitable to one another; should speak pleasantly and agreeably; should work for each others” welfare; should be on equal terms with one another; should not quarrel among themselves; should help each other in need; and should not forsake each other in difficulty.
第四:親鄰關系。對于親友鄰居彼此之間均應殷勤款待,寬大慈惠。交談時應當態度愉快,談吐優雅。應爲彼此之福祉而努力,並應平等相待,不可诤論。遇有所需,應互爲周濟,危難不相背棄。
Fifth: The relation between master and servant: the master or the employer has several obligations towards his servant or his employee: work should be assigned according to ability and capacity; adequate wages should be paid; medical needs should be provided; occasional donations or bo…
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