Are Buddhists Idol Worshippers
偶像崇拜
Buddhists are not idol worshippers but ideal worshippers.
佛教徒不崇拜偶像，佛教徒是理想的崇拜者。
Although it is customary amongst Buddhists to keep Buddha images and to pay their respects to the Buddha, Buddhists are not idol worshippers. Idolatry generally means erecting images of unknown gods and goddesses in various shapes and sizes and to pray directly to these images. The prayers are a request to the gods for guidance and protection. The gods and goddesses are asked to bestow health, wealth, property and to provide for various needs; they are asked to forgive transgressions.
習慣上，佛教徒都供奉佛陀的塑像或畫像來表示對佛陀的崇敬，但是，佛教徒並不是偶像崇拜者。偶像崇拜，一般指人們以各式各樣，不知名的男女神祇的塑像或畫像，做爲禱告的對象。禱告的人要求神祇指引和保護他們，他們祈求這些被供奉的神祇賜予他們健康、財富和各種需要，他們也要求神祇爲他們贖罪。
The ”worshipping” at the Buddha image is quite a different matter. Buddhists revere the image of the Buddha as a gesture to the greatest, wisest, most benevolent, compassionate and holy man who has ever lived in this world. It is a historical fact that this great man actually lived in this world and has done a great service to mankind. The worship of the Buddha really means paying homage, veneration and devotion to Him and what He represents, and not to the stone or metal figure.
禮拜偶像的意義與崇拜神祇偶像不同。佛教徒尊敬佛陀，禮拜佛像是爲了紀念這位世界最偉大、最有智慧、最仁慈、最高貴，曾經爲人類做出巨大貢獻的「人」。這位偉人曾經生活在這世間，他是一位曆史人物，曾經爲人類無私的奉獻一切。禮拜佛像是爲了對佛陀表示尊敬、瞻仰和懷念佛陀，而不是對木雕、石刻或金屬塑造的偶像進行膜拜。
The image is a visual aid that helps one to recall the Buddha in the mind and to remember His great qualities which inspired millions of people from generation to generation throughout the civilized world. Buddhists use the statue as a symbol and as an object of concentration to gain a peace of mind. When Buddhists look upon the image of the Buddha, they put aside thoughts of strife and think only of peace, serenity, calmness and tranquillity. The statue enables the mind to recall this great man and inspires devotees to follow His example and instructions. In their mind, the devout Buddhists feel the living presence of the Master. This feeling makes their act of worship become vivid and significant. The serenity of the Buddha image influences and inspires them to observe the right path of conduct and thought.
佛陀的塑像或畫像，有助于人們記憶佛陀，追思佛陀那偉大的人格和他對文明世界數千萬人，一代又一代的影響。佛教徒把佛像當作一種象征，專注的觀想佛像來獲得心靈的甯靜和安詳。當佛教徒在觀想佛像時，他們放下困擾他們的雜念，進入專一、平靜、虔誠、甯靜和安定的狀況。佛像能激發人們生起追思佛陀功績的信念，並熱忱的追隨佛陀的典範和他的教誨。在虔誠佛教徒心中，他們在感覺，佛陀就活靈活現的出現在他們眼前。這種心念，使他們生起禮拜佛像的動機，禮拜佛像也就變得有意義了。佛像的莊嚴肅穆，影響和激發人類追隨佛陀正道的思想和正確的行爲。
An understanding Buddhist never asks favours from the image nor does he request forgiveness for evil deeds committed. An understanding Buddhist tries to control his mind, to follow the Buddha”s advice, to get rid of worldly miseries and to find his salvation.
一個有悟性的佛教徒，決不會向佛像祈求恩賜或贖罪。一個有理性的佛教徒，懂得控製自己的心識，遵從佛陀的教誨，棄除世俗的煩惱，尋求解脫之道。
Those who criticize Buddhists for practising idol worship are really misinterpreting what Buddhists do. If people can keep the photographs of their parents and grandparents to cherish in their memory, if people can keep the photographs of kings, queens, prime ministers, great heroes, philosophers, and poets, there is certainly no reason why Buddhists cannot keep their beloved Master”s picture or image to remember and respect Him.
那些批評佛教徒崇拜偶像的人，是誤解了佛教徒的行爲。假使一個人可以保留他去世父母的肖像做爲紀念，假使人們可以保留那些大英雄、大思想家、哲學家、科學家的肖像或塑像，我們就沒有理由說，佛教徒不能保留他們所尊敬的導師的肖像或塑像來作爲紀念。
What harm is there if people recite some verses praising the great qualities of their Master
If people can lay wreaths on the graves of beloved ones to express their gratitude, what harm is there is Buddhists too offer some flowers, joss-sticks, incense, etc., to their beloved Teacher who devoted His life to help suffering humanity
People make statues of certain conquering heroes who were in fact murderers and who were responsible…
《偶像崇拜 Are Buddhists Idol Worshippers
》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…