Buddhist Missionaries

　　传教

　　”Go forth, O Bhikkhus, for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit, and happiness of gods and men.” (The Buddha)

　　「僧众啊！去吧！为了大众的利益，为了大众的幸福，为了悲悯这世界，为了善，为了利益，为了幸福，为了人与人类。去吧！」─佛陀─

　　When we turn the pages of the history of Buddhism, we learn that Buddhist missionaries gave the noble message of the Buddha in a peaceful and respectable way. Such a peaceful mission should put to shame those who have practised violent methods in propagating their religions.

　　翻开佛教的历史，我们可以发现到，佛教是以和平、尊重的方式来传教，那些以暴力传教的宗教都应该感到羞耻。

　　Buddhist missionaries do not compete with other religionists in converting people in the market place. No Buddhist missionary or monk would ever think of preaching ill-will against the so-called ”unbelievers”. Religious, cultural and national intolerance are unbuddhistic in attitude, to people who are imbued with the real Buddhist spirit. Aggression never finds approval in the teachings of the Buddha. The world has bled and suffered enough from the disease of dogmatism, religious fanaticism and intolerance. Whether in religion or politics, people make conscious efforts to bring humanity to accept their own way of life. In doing so, they sometimes show their hostility towards the followers of other religions.

　　佛教在传播过程中，从来不为「市场」而竞争。僧众或信徒从来不会为了传教而恶意去中伤或诋毁他人。宗教、政治或民族的不容忍和嗔恚，对真正皈依佛教的人来说，是无法理解的。佛教徒从来就不赞同攻击性，这世界的流血事件或灾难，大部分都来自攻击性的教条主义、宗教狂热、和不容忍。无论在宗教或政治，都会有人觉得自己负有使命，要把人类带到理所当然的另一种生活方式去。这种人往往为了自己的目的，攻击那些和自己意见不同的人。

　　Buddhism had no quarrel with the national traditions and customs, art and culture of the people who accepted it as a way of life but allowed them to exist with refinement. The Buddha”s message of love and compassion opened the hearts of men and they willingly accepted the Teachings, thereby helping Buddhism to become a world religion. Buddhist missionaries were invited by the independent countries which welcomed them with due respect. Buddhism was never introduced to any country through the influence of colonial or any other political power.

　　佛教从来就不与传统、习俗、艺术或文化发生争执，佛教接受它们的存在，并改良它们。佛陀慈悲的言教，开启人们的心扉，让人们毫无困难的接受他的教义。也因为如此，人们自愿的协助佛教成为世界性的宗教。佛教不采取殖民手段，也不借助政治力量来推广。佛教的传教士，往往是被那些主权独立，态度诚恳和包容佛教的国家，以敬重的态度邀请他们前去弘法的。

　　Buddhism was the first spiritual force known to us in history which drew closely together large numbers of races which were separated by the most difficult barriers of distance, language, culture and morals. Its motive was not the acquisition of international commerce, empire-building or migratory impulse to occupy fresh territory. Its aim was to show how people could gain more peace and happiness through the practice of Dhamma.

　　在历史，佛教是唯一以精神力量排除种族、语言、文化、风俗的困难，而将人们团结在一起的宗教。佛教在传教中，不借助国际性的商业势力来推广，也不借助帝国主义的余威，不是科学好奇心的使然，也不是在殖民思想的冲击下为了扩展和占据新的领土。而是指示人们透过佛法的实践，能获得宁静与幸福。

　　A sparkling example of the qualities and approach of a Buddhist missionary was Emperor Asoka. It was during Emperor Asoka”s time that Buddhism spread to many Asian and western countries. Emperor Asoka sent Buddhist missionaries to many parts of the world to introduce the Buddha”s message of peace. Asoka respected and supported every religion at that time. His tolerance towards other religions was remarkable. One of his scripts engraved in stone on Asoka Pillars, and still standing today in India, says:

　　阿首咖是弘扬佛法的一颗明星。他将佛法弘扬到亚洲和西方国家。阿首咖派遣传教士到世界各地去弘扬佛陀那幸福的信息。阿首咖敬重和支持每一位传教士。他的容忍值得我们注意。从目前遗留在印度的阿首咖石碑中，我们清楚的发现他的理念：「

　　”One should not honour only one”s own religion and condemn the religion of others, but one should honor others” religions for this or that reason. In so doing, one helps one”s own religion to grow and renders service to the religions of others too. In acting otherwise one digs the grave of one”s own religion and also does harm to other religions. Whosoever honor…

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