Development of Sangha Community

　　僧團的發展：

　　The Sangha community, in the course of time, evolved themselves into several sects, many of whom, while adhering to some major precepts as laid down by he Buddha, had, however, tended to ignore some of the minor rules. The Theravada sect appeared to be more orthodox, while the Mahayana and some other sects tended to be more liberal in their outlook and religious observances. The Theravada sect tried to observe the Vinaya to the very letter despite of changing circumstances and environment. Minor changes of the precepts had, however, taken place from time to time, but were not officially recognized even amongst the members of the Theravada sect. For instance, we can look at the rule regarding the partaking of food after the stipulated time of the day. The Theravada sect has not openly acknowledged the fact that certain variations could be allowed under special circumstances. Whilst members of other schools adapt themselves to the wearing of robes with appropriate colour and pattern, the Theravada sect has continued to adhere to the use of the original robes that were traditionally prescribed despite the changed social and climatic conditions. Many of practices of the monkhood are clearly understood only by those who are born into traditional Buddhist cultures.

　　僧團是經過長時期，由小到大，不斷的自我約束、自我發展，最後，才在印度正式成立的。佛陀爲僧團製定了很多戒條，也曾經想舍棄一些「小小戒」。上座部佛教是僧團的代表，大衆部和其它部派卻顯得太放任了。上座部佛教是唯一嚴格遵循傳統僧團戒律的佛教部派。上座部沒有明確的規定，在什麼情況下，可以暫時舍棄哪些戒條。其他部派的僧人，穿顔色和式樣不一的袈裟，上座部僧衆卻堅持穿著傳統的橙黃色袈裟。這些僧人都清楚的理解，唯有接受傳統的佛教文化，對聖道才能有所成就。

　　At the other extreme, there are some monks who insist on observing the very letter of the Vinaya code rather than in its spirit, even though such action would embarrass the people around them. For example, more and more Buddhist monks are being invited to western countries where the culture of the people and the climatic conditions are so vastly different from that in Asia, but which could be regarded as strange and exotic elsewhere. Here again the monk must apply his common sense and try not to make a mockery of himself in the eyes of the people. The important rule to be observed is that no immoral, cruel, harmful and indecent acts are created and that the sensitivities of others are respected. If the monks can lead their lives as hones, kind, harmless and understanding human beings by maintaining their human dignity and disciplines, then such qualities will be appreciated in any part of the world. Maintaining the so-called traditions and customs of their respective countries of origin have little to do with the essence of the Dhamma as taught by the Buddha.

　　在另一方面，某些僧人卻認真的研究每一條戒律及它的精神，通過這些研究，他們吸引了很多的信衆。越來越多的僧人被邀請到社會習尚、文化與東方截然不同的西方國家去弘法，這當然也不排除他們只是對外來的文化的好奇，僧衆也必須以自己的智慧來斷定他們是不是被愚弄。戒律的宗旨在于消除不道德、殘忍、傷害及防止一些下流與敏感的問題。如果一名僧人能自我節製，過著誠實、慈善、不傷害，及了解人類是以高尚的品質和道德爲生存的目的，他們這種品質，無論在什麼地方都會受到歡迎。佛陀的教誨，就是要他們維護佛教傳統和尊重自己所在的國家。

　　Then, there is another problem. Many people, especially those in the West who have accepted the Buddhist way of life, having read the Vinaya rules in the texts, think that the monks must follow all the rules in toto in any part of the world, in exactly the same manner as they were recorded in the texts. We must remember that some of these rules which were practised in Indian society 25 centuries ago are irrelevant even in Asia today. It must be clearly borne in mind that the Buddha instituted the rules only for the members of the Sangha community who lived in India, in fact in the region where He lived. Those monks never had any experience of the way of life in another country. Their main concern was with the spiritual development with the minimum of disruption and annoyance to the society where they lived. But if they lived today, they may experience many other new problems, if they strictly observe all the rules in a country where people cannot appreciate or understand them.

　　The disciplinary code for lay devotees show how a layman can live a virtuous and noble life without renouncing the worldly life. The Buddha”s advice to lay people is contained in such discourses as the Mangala, Parabhava, Sigalovada, Vasala and Vygghapajja and many other discourses.

　　戒律引導信徒們過美好、神聖，同時不放棄世間的生活。佛陀鼓勵信徒們多閱讀經典，如：《吉祥經》《寶經》等。

　　Many Vinaya rules apply only to those who have renounced the worldly life. Of course a layman may follow some of the rules if they help him to develop greater spirituality.

　　很多戒律只對那些放棄世間生活的出家人有效。當然，這些出家人也必須根據戒律來發展最大的心靈力量。

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