The Moon and Religious Observances

　　宗教與月亮

　　The outstanding events in the life of the Buddha took place on full moon days.

　　在佛陀的一生中，重要的事件都發生在月圓日。

　　Many people would like to know the religious significance of the full moon and new moon days. To Buddhists, there is a special religious significance especially on full day because certain important and outstanding events connected with the life of Lord Buddha took place on full moon days. The Buddha was born on a full moon day. His renunciation took place on a full moon day. His Enlightenment, the delivery of His first sermon, His passing away into Nibbana and many other important events associated with His life-span of eighty years, occurred on full moon days.

　　很多人都想知道，月圓與新月對佛教的意義。對佛教徒而言，月圓日(農曆十五)的確有其特殊的意義，佛陀就是在月圓日出世的。佛陀的出家也是在月圓那一天。佛陀的證悟、初轉*輪、入滅，以及在他的一生中，很多重要的事情都巧合的發生在月圓日。

　　Buddhists all over the world have a high regard for full moon days. They celebrate this day with religious fervor by observing precepts, practising meditation and by keeping away from the sensual worldly life. On this day they direct their attention to spiritual development. Apart from Buddhists, it is understood that other co-religionists also believe that there is some religious significance related to the various phases of the moon. They also observe certain religious disciplines such as fasting and praying on full moon days.

　　全世界的佛教徒，都非常重視月圓日，他們以持戒、禅定和遠離感官欲樂來慶祝這個日子。在這一天，信徒們把精力放在如何開展心靈的力量。除了佛教以外，其它的宗教也一樣認爲月圓日對宗教有某些特別的意義，他們在月圓日禁食和祈禱。

　　Ancient belief in India says that the moon is the controller of the water, and circulating through the universe, sustaining all living creatures, is the counterpart on earth of the liquor heaven, ”amrta”the drink of the gods. Dew and rain become vegetable sap, sap becomes the milk of cow, and the milk is then converted into blood. Amrta water, sap, milk and blood, represent but different states of the one elixir. The vessel or cup of this immortal fluid is the moon.

　　古代的印度人相信，月亮能控製水，環繞宇宙、支持所有的生命，是地球的水供之神。「聖水」(amrta)是天神的飲料。雨露滋潤了植物、植物的液汁促使了動物乳汁的增長，乳汁轉化爲血液，這些聖水、植物的液汁、動物的乳汁和血液是永恒的水的各種不同形態，而支配水的，就是月亮。

　　It is believed that the moon, like the other planets, exerts a considerable degree of influence on human beings. It has been observed that people suffering from mental ailments invariably have their passions and emotional feelings affected during full moon days. The word ”lunatic” derived from the word ”lunar” (or moon) is most significant and indicates very clearly the influence of the moon on human life. Some people, suffering from various forms of illness invariably find their sickness aggravated during such periods. Researchers have found that certain phases of the moon not only affect humans and animals, but also influence plant life and other elements. Low-tides and high-tides are a direct result of the overpowering influence of the moon.

　　Our human body consists of about seventy percent liquid. It is accepted by physicians that our bodily fluids flow more freely at the time of full moon. People suffering from asthma, bronchitis and even certain skin diseases, find their ailments aggravated under the influence of the moon. More than five thousand years ago, people had recognized the influence of the moon on cultivation. Farmers were very particular about the effect of the moon on their crops. They knew that certain grains and paddy would be affected if blooming took place during a full moon period. Medical science had also ascertained the different reactions of certain medicines under different facets of the moon, because of the influence of the moon on human beings.

　　一般相信，月亮如同其它星體一樣，對人類有相當程度的影響。根據觀察，心智失調的人，在月圓之夜情緒會受到一定的影響。英文裏的喪心病狂(Lunatc)，就是從月亮(Lunar)演化出來的。有些病患者，在月圓之夜，病情加重。科學家發現，月亮與地球的關系，不僅影響人類和動物，在植物和其它方面也有一定的影響，如：潮汐，就是一個很好的例子。 人類體內百分之七十是水份。生理學家相信，人體內的流體在月圓日流動的更順暢，哮喘、支氣管炎…

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