Sex and Religion

　　性與宗教

　　”The lower part of us is still animal.”(Gandhi)

　　在人類的本性中，潛藏著獸性。 ─甘地─

　　The sex impulse is the most dynamic force in human nature. So far-reaching is the sexual force that some measures of self-control is necessary even in ordinary existence. In the case of the spiritual aspirant, for whoever wants to bring his mind under complete control, a still greater measure of self-discipline is necessary. Such a powerful force in human character can be subdued only if the aspirant controls his thoughts and practises concentration. The conservation of the sexual force helps to develop this strength. For if he controls the sexual force, he will have more control over his whole make-up, over his lesser emotions.

　　「性」是人類最原始的動力，性的影響深邃。因此，某種程度的自我節製，對人類而言是必要的。如果想進一步對自己的心靈有所發展，對心識的控製更加應該收發自如，致力于更高的自我心靈的鍛煉，就顯得更重要了。要克服「性」這股強大的動力，必須先降伏自己的心念。只要能控製好「性」的沖動，將更能有效的控製其他的行爲和情緒。

　　Celibacy is one of the requirements for those who like to develop their spiritual development to perfection. However, it is not compulsory for each and every person to observe complete celibacy in order to practise Buddhism. The Buddha”s advice is that observing celibacy is more congenial for a person who wants to cultivate his spiritual achievements. For ordinary Buddhist laymen, the precept is to abstain from sexual misconduct. Although perversion of the sexual force is not under this same category, the perverted person invariably suffers bad reactions either physically, or mentally or both.

　　「獨身」是開展心靈力量的條件之一。但是，佛教並不強迫每一個人都過獨身的生活。「獨身」與培養心靈的成就有關，但是，對一般的佛教徒而言，只要持守不邪淫戒就可了，絕對不能對性欲有所放縱。性欲放縱者，無論在生理或心理都會帶來不幸。

　　There is a need for Buddhist laymen to exercise some degree of control over their sexual force. Man”s sexual urge must be controlled properly otherwise man will behave worse than an animal when he is intoxicated with lust. Consider the sexual behavior of what we call the ”lower animal”. Which really is often ”lower”

　　 The animal or the man

　　 Which acts in a normal, regular manner as regards sexual behavior

　　 And which runs off into all manner of irregularities and perversities

　　 Often it is the animal that is the higher creature and man that is the lower. And why is this

　　 It is simply because man who possesses the mental capacity which if rightly used, could make him master over his sex impulses, has actually used his mental powers in such deplorable fashion as to make himself more a slave to those impulses. Thus man can, at times, be considered lower than the animal.

　　佛教徒必須在某種程度控製自己的性欲。當人們沈迷于性欲時，他的行爲還不如動物。我們稱性放縱者爲「低等動物」。誰比較「低等」呢？是動物還是「人」呢？誰 比 較 正常 呢 ？ 難 道 是 性 放 縱 者 ？ 誰 比 較 有 規 律 和 有 原 則 呢 ？ 這 一 比 較 ， 高 尚的「人」，就顯得比動物「低等」多了。爲什麼呢？因爲，人類擁有心智能力，能夠正確的運用心智、壓製沖動。可是，人類常爲性沖動所奴役，因此，就顯得比動物更「低等」了。

　　Our ancestors played down this sexual impulse; they knew that it was strong enough without giving it any extra encouragement. But today we have blown it up with a thousand forms of incitation, suggestive advertisements, emphasis and display; and we have armed the sexual force with the doctrine that inhibition is dangerous and can even cause mental disorders.

　　我們的祖先不重視「性」的問題，他們了解「性」那股強大的動力，因此，不需要特別地去鼓勵。但是，我們今天被成千上萬的「性」渲染所誘惑，種種挑逗性的廣告、海報到處可見，有些人甚至爲「性放縱」作辯護，認爲控製「性欲」會導致心智失常。

　　Yet inhibition the control of impulse is the first principle of any civilization. In our modern civilization, we have polluted the sexual atmosphere that surrounds us. So great is the mind-body urge for sexual gratification.

　　事實，控製「性欲」是各種文明的首要原則。我們這「現代文明」已經汙染了我們對「性」的認識。我們的身心，也受到了不正當「性」觀念的感染。

　　As a result of this sex exploitation by the hidden persuaders of modern society, the youth of today have developed an attitude toward sex that is becoming a public nuisance. An innocent girl has no freedom to move anywhere without being disturbed. On the other hand, females should be dressed such a manner as not to …

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