..续本文上一页thought occurred to me: There are these problems unexplained, put aside and rejected by the Blessed One, Namely, (I) is the universe eternal or (2) is it not eternal, (3) is the universe finite or (4) is it infinite, (5) is soul the same as body or (6) is soul one thing and body another thing, (7) does the Tathāgata exist after death, or (8) does he not exist after death, or (9) does he both (at the same time) exist and not exist after death, or (10) does he both (at the same time) not exist and not not-exist. These problems the Blessed One does not explain to me. This (attitude) does not please me, I do not appreciate it. I will go to the Blessed One and ask him about this matter. If the Blessed One explains them to me, then I will continue to follow the holy life under him. If he does not explain them, I will leave the Order and go away. If the Blessed One knows that the universe is eternal, let him explain it to me so. If the Blessed One knows that the universe is not eternal, let him say so. If the Blessed One does not know whether the universe is eternal or not, etc., then for a person who does not know, it is straight forward to say “I do not know. I do not see”.”
“世尊！我正独自静坐，忽然起了一个念头：有些问题世尊总不解释，或将之搁置一边，或予以摒斥。这些问题是：(一)宇宙是永恒的，还是(二)不永恒的？(三)是有限的，还是(四)无限的？(五)身与心是同一物，还是(六)身是一物，心又是一物？(七)如来死后尚继续存在，还是(八)不再继续存在，还是(九)既存在亦(同时)不存在？还是(十)既不存在亦(同时)不不存在？这些问题，世尊从未为我解释。这(态度)我不喜欢，也不能领会。我要到世尊那里去问个明白。如果世尊为我解释，我就继续在他座下修习梵行。如果他不为我解释，我就要离开僧团他往。如果世尊知道宇宙是永恒的，就请照这样给我解释。如果世尊知道宇宙是不是永恒的，也请明白说。如果世尊不知道到底宇宙是永恒不永恒等等，那末，不知道这些事情的人，应当直说“我不知道，我不明白。””
The Buddha”s reply to Mālunkyaputta should do good to many millions in the world today who are wasting valuable time on such metaphysical questions and unnecessarily disturbing their peace of mind:
佛给鬘童子的回答，对于今日数以百万计，将宝贵的时间浪费在形上问题上，而毫无必要地自行扰乱其心境的宁静的人，当大有裨益。
”Did I ever tell you, Mālunkyaputta, “Come, Mālunkyaputta, lead the holy life under me. I will explain these questions to you
”
“鬘童子，我历来有没有对你说过：“来！鬘童子，到我座下来学习梵行，我为你解答这些问题。”？”
”No, Sir.”
“从来没有，世尊。”
”Then, Mālunkyaputta, even you, did you tell me: “Sir, I will lead the holy life under the Blessed One, and the Blessed One will explain these questions to me”
”
“那末，鬘童子，就说你自己，你曾否告诉我：“世尊，我在世尊座下修习梵行，世尊要为我解答这些问题。”？”
”No, Sir.”
“也没有，世尊。”
”Even now, Mālunkyaputta, I do not tell you: “Come and lead the holy life under me, I will explain these questions to you”. And you do not tell me either: “Sir, I will lead the holy life under the Blessed One, and he will explain these questions to me”. Under these circumstances, you foolish one, who refuses whom
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“就拿现在来说，鬘童子，我也没有告诉你“来我座下修习梵行，我为你解释这些问题”而你也没告诉我“世尊，我在世尊座下修习梵行，世尊要为我解答这些问题”。既然是这样，你这愚蠢的人呀！是谁摒弃了谁呢？﹝注三十五﹞
Mālunkyaputta, if anyone says: “I will not lead the holy life under the Blessed One until he explains these questions,” he may die with these questions unanswered by the Tathāgata. Suppose Mālunkyaputta, a man is wounded by a poisoned arrow, and his friends and relatives bring him to a surgeon. Suppose the man should then say: “I will not let this arrow be taken out until I know who shot me; whether he is a Ksattiya (of the warrior caste) or a Brāhmana (of the priestly caste) or a Vaiśya (of the trading and agricultural caste) or a Sūdra (of the low caste); what his name and family may be; whether he is tall, short, or of medium stature; whether his complexion is black, brown, or golden: from which village, town or city he comes. I will not let this arrow be taken out until I know the kind of bow with which I was shot; the kind of bowstring used; the type of arrow; what sort of feather was used on the arrow and with what kind of material the point of the arrow was made.” Mālunkyaputta, that man would die without knowing any of these things. Even so, Mālunkyaputta, if anyone says: “I will not follow the holy…
《佛陀的启示 第一章 佛教的宗教态度 Chapter I· The Buddhist Attitude of Mind》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…