..续本文上一页r another. Others in turn will ask these questions of us. So it is convenient to have lucid, concise responses handy when we need them. Even better when they are backed up by quotations from the Buddha himself. Best of all when the approach is down-to-earth, leaving aside the mysticism and mythology with which we so often pleasantly distract ourselves. Keeping the investigation — in both this book and our own lives — practical, factual, and straight-forward eliminates the misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and misinformation which generally plague religion. Confronting these truths simply and in daily life will reveal their profundity and liberate us from suffering and the ignorance that causes it.

　　This little book has been reprinted a few times since Ariyananda Bhikkhu (Rod Bucknell) first translated it. This edition, however, has been revised, first by myself and later with help from Rod. We have corrected minor errors and printing irregularities, and have tried to improve readability, but have not made any major changes. Many of our visitors at Suan Mokkh have helped with suggestions and proof-reading during the preparation of this edition. Unfortunately, their names are too numerous to mention. Lastly, Phra Dusadee Meta.kuro, Chao Assava, and their friends in The Dhamma Study & Practice Group have overseen business and publication duties. Their kindness and dedication in publishing many valuable Dhamma books, with more on the way, deserves acknowledgement, appreciation, and support.

　　May the efforts of the many Dhamma comrades which have gone into this book benefit not only their own wisdom and coolness, but that of friends the world over. May this book be read carefully and repeatedly so that the profound truths presented within it will take root in our hearts. May we all study and live in harmony with these truths, thereby quenching all traces of misunderstanding, selfishness, and dukkha.

　　Santikaro Bhikkhu Suan Mokkhabalārāma Rains Retreat, 1988

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　　志同道合的学佛朋友们：

　　今天演讲的主题是给学习者的法义原则。

　　在此我想先向大家说明，今天的演讲只谈佛法重要的基本原则，所以主要是针对学生，也可以说是针对知识份子而说的。我将采用问答方式来讨论这些法义原则，也就是先提出一个问题问你们，再提供答案，如果你先听过问题，就会发现比较容易了解并记住答案。我认为对学生或知识分子说法，这是最恰当的方式。在佛世时，知识分子除了问及佛法的基本观点和重要原则，不会再问其他事情，因为他们不想要冗长迂回的解释，以便能节省时间。

　　因此，今天我会这么做：先提出问题当成主题，然后从基本法义原则的观点回答这个问题。用这种方式会帮助你掌握论题的要点，并且能建立良好的基础。拥有这些基础知识，将来会蕴育出美好的果实，方便各位日后自行阅读或听其他人演讲。再者，我演讲的另一个目的是，以后如果有其他国家或宗教人士问你问题时，这些问答内容能帮助你回答，而且不会引发对教义的误解。

　　好好记住这些主题或主要内容，如果你能把它背下来，那是最好不过了！而且，我相信这样对你们会有很大的益处。现在我们依次来讨论这些主题。

　　Fellow Dhamma-followers:

　　Today”s talk is entitled, “Dhamma Principles for Students”.

　　I WISH TO MAKE it clear to you that today”s talk will deal only with fundamentals and basic principles, and so is especially intended for students, that is to say, for intelligent people. I shall discuss these broad principles of Dhamma (Natural Truth) using the question- and-answer format, first putting a question to you, and then supplying the answer. Having heard the question first, you will find the answer easier to understand and remember. This, I feel, is the most appropriate method of presentation for you who are students or intelligent people. It is said that at the time of the Buddha, intelligent people never asked about anything but basic points and fundamental principles. They never wanted long-winded explanations. This has the virtue of saving time, among other things.

　　So that is how I shall do it today: pose a question as our topic, and then answer it in terms of basic principles. In this way you will get the essentials of a large number of topics, facts that will serve you as a good general foundation. Having this foundation knowledge will bear good fruit in the future; it will be of assistance to you in studying and in understanding other speakers.

　　One more point. The form of my talk is designed to prepare you students for those occasions when you will be asked questions by people from other countries and other religions. It will enable you to answer their questions, and answer them correctly, without giving rise to any misunderstanding concerning the Teaching.

　　Bear well in mind those points which constitute the essence or real kernel of the subject. If you manage to remember that much, it will be a very good thing, and, I believe, a very great benefit to you all. Now I shall discuss the topics in turn.

《一问一智慧 Buddha-Dhamma For Students: answers to questions a non-Buddhist is likely to ask about the fundamentals of Buddhis》全文阅读结束。