..續本文上一頁of conquests was not the subjugation of others but of the self. He taught in the Dhammapada, ”Even though a man conquers ten thousand men in battle, he who conquers but himself is the greatest of conquerors”.

　　佛陀教誨人們，要征服的不是其它的一切，而是自己。佛陀說過： 他在戰場，戰勝了千百萬人，如果他能戰勝自己，便是無敵的戰士。《法句經》

　　Perhaps the best example of how the gentle message of the Compassionate One could rehabilitate the most savage of men is the case of the Emperor Asoka. About two hundred years after the Buddha, this king waged fierce battles across India and caused great anguish and fear. But when he absorbed the Dhamma, he regretted the evil that he had done. We remember and honor him today because after his conversion to the path of peace, he embarked on another battle: a battle to bring peace to mankind. He proved without doubt that the Buddha was right when He asserted that true greatness springs from love, not hatred, from humility, not pride; from compassion, not cruelty.

　　阿首咖(Asoka)是實踐佛陀慈悲心的實例。在佛陀入滅後的二百年，阿首咖統治了印度大部分的領土，他發動戰爭，使人民陷于水深火熱之中。當他接受了佛陀的教義後，發現了自己邪惡的行徑，今天我們之所以還記得阿首咖，是因爲他痛改前非，爲自己統治的國家帶來和平與穩定。他發動了另一場戰爭，一場爲人類帶來和平的戰爭。他證實了佛陀的教義是正確的，他不再對人類造成傷害，以愛心對待自己的臣民，不傲慢也不再殘暴。

　　The Emperor Asoka”s conversion from cruelty to kindness was so complete that he forbade even the killing of animals in his kingdom. He realized that his subjects stole because of want and he set out to reduce want in his kingdom. But above all, he instructed the followers of the Buddha to remember the Master”s teaching never to force their beliefs on others who were loyal to other religious leaders. In other cases we have heard of kings who, upon conversion, perted their thirst for blood by spreading their new religion by the sword! Only Buddhism can take pride in a king who has never been equaled in such greatness before or ever since.

　　阿首咖將暴戾化爲慈祥，他甚至連小動物都不忍心殺害。他理解到盜竊是因爲貧窮，他盡量的改善人民的生活。他弘揚佛法，引導他的臣民都信仰佛教，尊重佛教。有哪一個國王不是以寶劍和人民的鮮血來統治國家呢？只有佛教能轉化暴戾爲祥和。

　　The Buddha”s Teachings were introduced in order that societies could be cultured and civilized and live in peace and harmony. All of life”s most difficult problems can be better understood if we but try to learn and practise His teachings. The Buddha”s approach to the problems and suffering of mankind is straightforward and direct.

　　佛陀的教義，提升了社會的文明，讓人們生活在和平與協調中。只要學習和實踐佛陀的教義，生活中的種種問題，也將得到全面的理解。佛陀爲人類解決困苦的方法是直截了當的。

　　The Buddha was the greatest conqueror the world has ever seen. He conquered the world with His infallible weapons of love and truth. His Teaching illuminates the Way for mankind to cross from a world of darkness, hatred, and suffering, to a new world of light, love and happiness.

　　佛陀是這世界最偉大的勝利者。他征服世界的武器是愛和真理。他的教義啓發了人類，使人類從嗔恚、痛苦的黑暗中到達光明、慈愛和幸福的彼岸。

《第二章 佛陀的言教 Chapter 2 His Message》全文閱讀結束。