Is Buddhism a Theory or a Philosophy
佛教與哲學
The enlightenment of the Buddha is not a product of mere intellect.
佛陀的覺悟，不僅僅是智力的産物。
During the time of the Buddha there were many learned men in India who pursued knowledge simply for its own sake. These people were full of theoretical knowledge. Indeed, some of them went from city to city challenging anyone to a debate and their greatest thrill was to defeat an opponent in such verbal combats. But the Buddha said that such people were no nearer to the realization of the truth because in spite of their cleverness and knowledge they did not have true wisdom to overcome greed, hatred and delusion. In fact, these people were often proud and arrogant. Their egoistic concepts disturbed the religious atmosphere.
在佛陀的時代，印度有很多學者，他們各自發展自己的思想和學說，有些甚至到各地去弘揚他們自己的思想和學說，或與其他思想家辯論。但是，佛陀認爲這些人並不理解宗教的真谛，雖然他們都很聰明，可是，卻沒有真正的對治貪、嗔、癡的智慧。他們那自我主義的概念，混淆了清晰的宗教思維。
According to the Buddha, one must first seek to understand one”s own mind. This was to be done through concentration which gives one a profound inner wisdom or realization. And this insight is to be gained not by philosophical argument or worldly knowledge but by the silent realization of the illusion of the Self.
根據佛陀所教，一個人必須先了解自己的心智，要了解心法的真相和專注的發展內觀智慧。觀照的智慧並不是一般世俗的哲學。
Buddhism is a righteous way of life for the peace and happiness of every living being. It is a method to get rid of miseries and to find liberation. The Teachings of the Buddha are not limited to one nation or race. It is neither a creed nor a mere faith. It is a Teaching for the entire universe. It is a Teaching for all time. Its objectives are selfless service, good-will, peace, salvation and deliverance from suffering.
佛教是世間衆生和平、幸福與正確的生活之道，是一種消除煩惱而最終達到解脫的方法。佛陀的教義並不限囿于一個國家或一個民族。佛陀的教義不是教條也不是信仰，而是對全宇宙的開示，而這開示從古至今都是一樣的。佛陀的教義是一種無私的奉獻，爲人類尋求友善、和平及滅苦的獲得解脫自在的道路。
Salvation in Buddhism is an inpidual affair. You have to save yourself just as you have to eat, drink and sleep by yourself. The advice rendered by the Buddha points the Way to liberation; but His advice was never intended to be taken as a theory or philosophy. When He was questioned as to what theory He propounded, the Buddha replied that He preached no theories and whatever he did preach was a result of His own experience. Thus His Teaching does not offer any theory. Theory cannot bring one nearer to spiritual perfection. Theories are the very fetters that bind the mind and impede spiritual progress. The Buddha said, ”Wise men give no credence to passing theories. They are past believing everything they see and hear.”
解脫，對佛教徒而言，是個人份內的事，你必須自救，就好像你必須吃、喝和睡眠一樣。佛陀教義的宗旨，就是在指示什麼是解脫之道。我們不要把佛陀的教義當作是一種理論或哲學。當有人問及佛陀提倡何種學說時，佛陀回答道，他所提倡的不是哲學，而是他個人覺悟的經驗。佛陀的教義不是哲學，哲學不能帶給人們精神的突破。哲學本身有很多的局限性，甚至阻礙了我們精神的進展。
Theories are product of the intellect and the Buddha understood the limitations of the human intellect. He taught that enlightenment is not a product of mere intellect. One cannot achieve emancipation by taking an intellectual course. This statement may seem irrational but it is true. Intellectuals tend to spend too much of their valuable time in study, critical analysis and debate. They usually have little or no time for practice.
佛陀說：「智者不依據學說，他們不羁縛自己，他們只是仔細的觀察和聆聽。」
理論是學識的産品，佛陀了解人類學識的局限性，因此，佛陀的教義不是學識的産品。一個人不會因學識而獲得覺悟，這說法好像不合邏輯，但卻是真實的。知識份子花太多的時間去研究、分析和辯論，可是，在修持所花的時間卻太少了。
A great thinker (philosopher, scientist, metaphysician, etc.) can also turn out to be an intelligent fool. He may be an intellectual giant endowed with the power to perceive ideas quickly and to express thoughts clearly. But if he pays no attention to his action and their consequences, and if he is only bent on fulfilling his own longings and inclinations at any cost then, according to the Buddha, he is an intellectual fool, a man of inferior intelligence…
《佛教與哲學 Is Buddhism a Theory or a Philosophy
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