Chapter 2 His Message

　　Message for All

　　佛陀發給全人類的訊息

　　Buddha--the flower of mankind, is no more in this world, but the sweet fragrance of His peace message remains forever.

　　佛陀是人類的花朵，雖然他已不在人間。但是，他的信息像甜蜜的花香一樣，散布人間。

　　Buddhism is one of the oldest religions still being practised in the world today. While the names of many other religions which existed in India have been forgotten today, the teachings of the Buddha, (better known as the Dhamma)are still relevant to the needs of today”s society. This is because the Buddha has always considered himself as human religious teacher whose message was meant to promote the happiness and well-being of other human beings. The Buddha”s primary concern was to help His followers to live a normal life without either going to the extremes of self-denial or totally surrendering to sensual desires.

　　佛教是古老的宗教，到今天爲止仍然受到人類的尊崇。在古老的印度次大陸，在許多宗教已經煙消雲散的今天，佛陀的教義──佛法，仍然萦繞在我們耳邊，受到現代社會的認同。這是因爲佛陀只把自己當作人類的導師，他爲人類傳播了快樂和善良的信息。佛陀的本懷是要所有的追隨者，舍棄「我」的觀念和一切欲望而進入聖界。

　　The practical nature of the Buddha”s teaching is revealed in the fact that not everyone is expected to attain exactly the same goal in one lifetime, since the mental impurities are deeply rooted. Some people are spiritually more advanced than others and they can proceed to greater heights according to their state of development. But every single human being has the ultimate potential to attain the supreme goal of Buddhahood if he has the determination and will to do so.

　　實踐佛陀的教誨，不是每個人都能做到的，也不是每個人都能達到相同的成就。物質的誘惑深邃的在我們心中紮根，有些人能擺脫誘惑，得到很好的心靈發展，但是，每一個人都要付出很大的犧牲、決心和耐心才會對佛道有所了解。

　　Even now does the soft, sweet voice of the Buddha ring in our ears. And sometimes we perhaps feel a little ashamed because we do not understand Him fully. Often we only praise His Teaching and respect Him, but do not try to practise what He preached. The Buddha”s Teaching and message have had their effect on all people for thousands of years whether they believe in religion or not. His message is for all.

　　即使在今天，佛陀那溫柔、甜美的聲音還萦繞在我們的耳邊。我們或許會感到羞恥，因爲我們並沒有真的去了解佛陀的教義。通常我們只是贊歎于他的教義和敬重他的爲人，可是並沒有去實踐佛陀的教誨。數千年來佛陀的教誨對全人類都是有效的，無論他是不是佛教徒，佛陀的信息是發給全人類的。

　　Though the Buddha, the flower of mankind, is no longer in this world, the sweet fragrance and exquisite aroma of His Teachings have spread far and wide. Its balmy, diffusing fragrance has calmed and soothed millions. Its ambrosial perfume has heartened and cheered every nation which it has penetrated. The reason that His Teachings have captured millions of hearts is because they were spread(not by weapons or political power)but by love and compassion for humanity. Not a drop of blood stains its pure path. Buddhism wins by the warm touch of love, not by the cold claws of fear. Fear of the supernatural and the doctrine of everlasting hell-fire have no place in Buddhism.

　　雖然佛陀 ──這朵屬于人類的花朵，已經不存在了，但是他那甜蜜的花香仍然在人間到處散播。這花香讓成千上萬的人獲得慰藉，這花香鼓舞了每個受到佛法滋潤的國家。爲什麼佛陀的教義能征服千萬人的心，因爲他完全以慈悲心作爲指導(不是以武力或政治力量)。在弘法的過程中，沒有沾染了一點血腥，佛陀以慈悲心征服人類而不是以強硬或恐怖的手段。超自然的恐懼或地獄的煉火，從來就不會在佛教裏出現。

　　During the last 25 centuries since the appearance of the Buddha, many changes have taken place in this world. Kingdoms have risen and fallen; nations have prospered and perished. However, the world today has forgotten many of these past civilizations. But the name of the Buddha remains alive and fresh in the minds of millions of people today. The Kingdom of Righteousness that He built is still strong and steady. Although many temples, pagodas, images, libraries and other religious symbols erected in His honor were destroyed, His untainted Noble Name and the message He gave remain in the minds of cultured people.

　　佛陀入滅二十五個世紀以來，世界發生了很多變化，王國不斷的興起和消亡。雖然在這世界已經遺失了許多古老的文明，但是，佛陀仍然活躍在千萬人的心頭。佛陀所建立的真理的王國，至今仍然屹立不倒。雖然很多佛寺、佛塔、圖像、經典和佛教志都已遭到破壞，可是佛陀的言教和他那完美的形象，仍然活在現代文明人的心中。

　　The Buddha taught man that the greatest …

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