Buddhist Missionaries

　　傳教

　　”Go forth, O Bhikkhus, for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit, and happiness of gods and men.” (The Buddha)

　　「僧衆啊！去吧！爲了大衆的利益，爲了大衆的幸福，爲了悲憫這世界，爲了善，爲了利益，爲了幸福，爲了人與人類。去吧！」─佛陀─

　　When we turn the pages of the history of Buddhism, we learn that Buddhist missionaries gave the noble message of the Buddha in a peaceful and respectable way. Such a peaceful mission should put to shame those who have practised violent methods in propagating their religions.

　　翻開佛教的曆史，我們可以發現到，佛教是以和平、尊重的方式來傳教，那些以暴力傳教的宗教都應該感到羞恥。

　　Buddhist missionaries do not compete with other religionists in converting people in the market place. No Buddhist missionary or monk would ever think of preaching ill-will against the so-called ”unbelievers”. Religious, cultural and national intolerance are unbuddhistic in attitude, to people who are imbued with the real Buddhist spirit. Aggression never finds approval in the teachings of the Buddha. The world has bled and suffered enough from the disease of dogmatism, religious fanaticism and intolerance. Whether in religion or politics, people make conscious efforts to bring humanity to accept their own way of life. In doing so, they sometimes show their hostility towards the followers of other religions.

　　佛教在傳播過程中，從來不爲「市場」而競爭。僧衆或信徒從來不會爲了傳教而惡意去中傷或诋毀他人。宗教、政治或民族的不容忍和嗔恚，對真正皈依佛教的人來說，是無法理解的。佛教徒從來就不贊同攻擊性，這世界的流血事件或災難，大部分都來自攻擊性的教條主義、宗教狂熱、和不容忍。無論在宗教或政治，都會有人覺得自己負有使命，要把人類帶到理所當然的另一種生活方式去。這種人往往爲了自己的目的，攻擊那些和自己意見不同的人。

　　Buddhism had no quarrel with the national traditions and customs, art and culture of the people who accepted it as a way of life but allowed them to exist with refinement. The Buddha”s message of love and compassion opened the hearts of men and they willingly accepted the Teachings, thereby helping Buddhism to become a world religion. Buddhist missionaries were invited by the independent countries which welcomed them with due respect. Buddhism was never introduced to any country through the influence of colonial or any other political power.

　　佛教從來就不與傳統、習俗、藝術或文化發生爭執，佛教接受它們的存在，並改良它們。佛陀慈悲的言教，開啓人們的心扉，讓人們毫無困難的接受他的教義。也因爲如此，人們自願的協助佛教成爲世界性的宗教。佛教不采取殖民手段，也不借助政治力量來推廣。佛教的傳教士，往往是被那些主權獨立，態度誠懇和包容佛教的國家，以敬重的態度邀請他們前去弘法的。

　　Buddhism was the first spiritual force known to us in history which drew closely together large numbers of races which were separated by the most difficult barriers of distance, language, culture and morals. Its motive was not the acquisition of international commerce, empire-building or migratory impulse to occupy fresh territory. Its aim was to show how people could gain more peace and happiness through the practice of Dhamma.

　　在曆史，佛教是唯一以精神力量排除種族、語言、文化、風俗的困難，而將人們團結在一起的宗教。佛教在傳教中，不借助國際性的商業勢力來推廣，也不借助帝國主義的余威，不是科學好奇心的使然，也不是在殖民思想的沖擊下爲了擴展和占據新的領土。而是指示人們透過佛法的實踐，能獲得甯靜與幸福。

　　A sparkling example of the qualities and approach of a Buddhist missionary was Emperor Asoka. It was during Emperor Asoka”s time that Buddhism spread to many Asian and western countries. Emperor Asoka sent Buddhist missionaries to many parts of the world to introduce the Buddha”s message of peace. Asoka respected and supported every religion at that time. His tolerance towards other religions was remarkable. One of his scripts engraved in stone on Asoka Pillars, and still standing today in India, says:

　　阿首咖是弘揚佛法的一顆明星。他將佛法弘揚到亞洲和西方國家。阿首咖派遣傳教士到世界各地去弘揚佛陀那幸福的信息。阿首咖敬重和支持每一位傳教士。他的容忍值得我們注意。從目前遺留在印度的阿首咖石碑中，我們清楚的發現他的理念：「

　　”One should not honour only one”s own religion and condemn the religion of others, but one should honor others” religions for this or that reason. In so doing, one helps one”s own religion to grow and renders service to the religions of others too. In acting otherwise one digs the grave of one”s own religion and also does harm to other religions. Whosoever honor…

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