Is Buddhism Pessimistic
佛教與悲觀主義
Buddhism is neither pessimistic nor optimistic but a realistic religion.
佛教既不樂觀，也不悲觀，佛教是真實的宗教。
Some critics argue that Buddhism is morbid, cynical, hovering on the dark and shadowy side of life, an enemy of harmless pleasures, and an unfeeling trampler on the innocent joys of life. They see Buddhism as being pessimistic, as fostering an attitude of hopelessness towards life, as encouraging a vague, general feeling that pain and evil predominate in human affairs. These critics base their views on the First Noble Truth that all conditioned things are in a state of suffering. They seem to have forgotten that not only had the Buddha taught the cause and end of Suffering, but he had taught the way to end Suffering. In any case, is there any religious teacher who praised this worldly life and advised us to cling to it
一些批評家認爲佛教是不健全的、悲觀的、憤世嫉俗的宗教，徬徨于昏沈與黑暗中，以無害的快樂爲敵人，無感受的飄泊在單純的生活中。因而斷言，佛教是在悲觀中孕育一種對生命絕望的生活態度，鼓勵一種模糊籠統的概念，認爲人生被痛苦和邪惡所占據。這些批評主要基于他們誤解了四聖谛中的苦聖谛，以及實踐一切緣起無不是苦的看法。
If the founder of this religion, the Buddha, was such a pessimist, one would expect His personality to be portrayed on more severe lines than has been done. The Buddha image is the personification of Peace, Serenity, Hope and Goodwill. The magnetic and radiant smile of the Buddha which is said to be inscrutable and enigmatic, is the epitome of His doctrine. To the worried and the frustrated, His smile of Enlightenment and hope is an unfailing tonic and soothing balm.
假使佛教的創始人──佛陀，真的是一位悲觀主義者，對他的描繪將更加惡劣。事實上，佛陀的形象是和平、莊嚴、充滿希望和善意的。佛陀身上散發出的微笑和吸引力，據說是不可臆測和難以理解的，也可以說這就是他的教義的縮影。對灰心和苦悶者而言，佛陀那充滿希望的微笑，是一種永不失敗的力量、是一種振奮劑和令人欣慰的芳香。
The Buddha radiated His love and compassion in all directions. Such a person can hardly be a pessimist. And when the sword-happy kings and princes listened to Him, they realized that the only true conquest is the conquest of the Self and the best way to win the hearts of the people was to teach them to appreciate the Dhamma---Truth.
The Buddha cultivated His sense of humor to such a high degree that His bitter opponents were disarmed with the greatest ease. Often they could not help laughing at themselves. The Buddha had a wonderful tonic; He cleaned their systems of dangerous toxins and they became enthusiastic thereafter to follow in His footsteps. In His sermons, dialogues and discussions, He maintained that poise and dignity which won for Him the respect and affection of the people. How can such a person be a pessimist
佛陀慈悲的光輝普照十方，像他這樣的人，不可能是一位悲觀者。當劍喜王和他的太子在聆聽了佛陀的開示後，他們了解唯一獲得真正自我的征服，和獲得民心的最佳方法，就是佛陀真理的教義──佛法。佛陀擁有高度的幽默感，他經常發出會心的微笑，令他的敵對者因此而消除敵意。佛陀擁有一種特殊的力量，他能消除信徒的危險和邪惡的心識，並令他們心甘情願的追隨他。佛陀在弘法、辯論或和信衆們討論問題時，總是保持自己的尊嚴和平和的態度，因此贏得廣大信衆對他的崇拜和景仰。像這樣的一個人，我們能說他是悲觀主義者嗎？
The Buddha never expected His followers to be constantly brooding over the suffering of life and leading a miserable and unhappy existence. He taught the fact of suffering only so that He could show people how to overcome this suffering and move in the direction of happiness. To become an Enlightened person, one must have joy, one of the factors that the Buddha recommended us to cultivate. Joy is hardly pessimistic.
佛陀從來都不希望信衆過著痛苦、憂愁和焦慮不安的生活。他指示了痛苦的真相，和克服及消滅痛苦的方法和道路。要成爲一位覺悟者，必須快樂。快樂是佛陀要我們培養證悟覺悟的條件之一。快樂絕對不是悲觀的。
There are two Buddhists texts called the Theragatha and Therigatha which are full of the joyful utterances of the Buddha”s disciples, both male and female, who found peace and happiness in life through His Teaching. The king of Kosala once told the Buddha that unlike many a disciple of other religious systems who looked haggard, coarse, pale, emaciated and unprepossessing, His disciples were ”joyful and elated, jubilant and exultant, enjoying the spiritual life, serene, peaceful and living with a gazelle”s mind, light-hearted.” The king ad…
《佛教與悲觀主義 Is Buddhism Pessimistic
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