Man is His Own Jailor

　　自我囚禁

　　Is there any truth in man”sclaim that he should be given freedom to do things as he likes

　　人類真的能宣稱他擁有隨心所欲的自由嗎？

　　When we consider human freedom, it is very difficult to find out whether man is really free to do anything according to his own wishes. Man is bound by many conditions both external and internal; he is asked to obey the laws that are imposed on him by the government; he is bound to follow certain religious principles; he is required to co-operate with the moral and social conditions of the society in which he lives; he is compelled to follow certain national and family customs and traditions. In modern society, he in inclined to disagree with life; he is expected to conform by adapting himself to the modern way of life. he is bound to co-operate with natural laws and cosmic energy, because he is also part of the same energy. He is subjected to the weather and climatic conditions of the region. Not only does he have to pay attention to his life or to physical elements, but he has also to make up his mind to control his own emotions. In other words, he has no freedom to think freely because he is overwhelmed by new thoughts which may contradict or do away with his previous thoughts and convictions. At the same time, he may believe that he has to obey and work according to the will of god, and not follow his own free-will.

　　當我們考慮到人類的自由時，我們很難肯定人類是否有自由去做一些自己想做的事。人類受困于種種內在或外緣的因素，他必須遵守政府製定的律法，符合社會道德的規範，民族或家族的傳統，和特定的宗教原則。在現代社會裏，很多人都有不滿足于生活的傾向，而社會卻希望他能調整自己，適應目前的生活方式。人類受製于宇宙的自然定律，因爲他也屬于這其中的一部份。人類受製于區域性或氣候性，他不但要注意心理或生理的因素，還要努力克服自己的情緒。換句話說，他無法自由的去思考，因爲新的思考所表現的是抵觸或推翻舊有的思想和信心。同時，有些人相信，人類應該根據「神」的旨意去做，而不是按照自己的意識去做。

　　Taking into consideration all the above changing conditions to which man is bound, we can ask ”Is there any truth in man”s claim that he should be given freedom to do things as he likes

　　”

　　Why does man have his hands tied so firmly

　　 The reason is that there are various bad elements within man. These elements are dangerous and harmful to all living creatures. For the past few thousand years, all religions have been trying to tame this unreliable attitude of man and to teach him how to live a noble life. But it is most unfortunate that man is still not ready to be trustworthy, however good he may appear to be.

　　Man still continues to harbor all these evil elements within himself. These evil elements are not introduced or influenced by external sources but are created by man himself. If these evil forces are man-made, then man himself must work hard to get rid of them after realizing their danger. Unfortunately the majority of men are cruel, cunning, wicked, ungrateful, unreliable, unscrupulous. If man is allowed to live according to his own free-will without moderation and restraint, he would most definitely violate the peace and happiness of innocent people. His behavior would probably be much worse than that of dangerous living beings. Religion is required to train him to lead a respectable life and to gain peace and happiness here and hereafter.

　　考慮到以上種種問題，我們不禁要問：「人類真的能宣稱他擁有隨心所欲的自由嗎？」爲什麼人類要牢牢的系縛自己的雙手？這是因爲人類有太多的不良因素存在，而這些因素會對一切衆生造成傷害和危險。數千年來，所有的宗教都想馴服人類的態度，並教導人類不傷害一切生命的生活。但是，很不幸的，人類還是不可信賴，人類仍然沈緬于內心的不良因素。這些不良因素，並非外力的牽引、介入或影響，而是人類自己造就的。如果說，這些邪惡的力量是人爲的，人類就有責任透過自己的努力，來了解它的危險性，並清楚這些不良的因素。可是，人類繼續他的殘酷、狡猾、暴戾、邪惡、多疑、狂妄和充滿傷害的行爲。如果，像這樣的人能完全不受限製，而按照自己自由意識去生活的話，那麼，他們行爲所造成的危險性，比凶殘的動物還要來得可怕。在這種情況下，宗教道德更加重要了，宗教指導人類如何過幸福的生活和面對和平與死亡。

　　Another obstacle confronting religious life and spiritual progress is racial arrogance. The Buddha advised His followers not to bring forward any racial issue when they come to practise religion. Buddhists are taught to sink their own racial origin and caste or class distinction. People of all religions should not discriminate against any groups of people by bringing forward their personal traditional way of life. They should treat everyone equally, especially in the religious field. Unfortunately, followers of different religions create more discriminations and hostility towards other religious groups when performing their religious activities.

　　另一種造成宗教和精神進展的障礙是民族的自大性。佛陀教導弟子不要炫耀自己尊貴的種姓，而應降低自己的階級來和下層的群衆打成一片。所有的宗教人士，不應該以過去他們自身的文化或生活方式，歧視其他的宗教弟兄，他們必須以平等心待人，尤其是在宗教圈子裏。但是，很不幸的是，不同的宗教都以各自的虛榮感來弘揚自己的宗教。

　　While working others, they should not disturb their feelings because of their so-called traditions and customs. They can follow traditions and customs that are in keeping with the religious principles and moral codes of their religions.

　　當幫助他人或與他人一起工作時，不應該以自己的傳統而騷擾他人的感受。要順從一切宗教的原則，以宗教道德協調一切傳統的風俗習尚。

　　Racial arrogance is a great hindrance to religion and spiritual progress. The Buddha once used the simile of ocean water to illustrate the harmony which can be experienced by people who have learnt to cast aside their racial arrogance: Different rivers have different names. The water of the inpidual rivers all flow into the ocean and become ocean water. In a similar manner, all those who have come from different communities and different castes, must forget their differences and think of themselves only as human beings.

　　民族自大是宗教和精神進展的障礙。有一回，佛陀以海水爲比喻，說明了這件事。如果每一個人都能抛開他的民族自大感，這有如河水，雖然它們有各自不同的名稱，但是，都同樣彙流到大海而成爲海洋。同樣的，不同背景的民族或來自不同社群的種族，我們不需要理會他們的差別，只需要知道他們是人類就夠了。

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