Religion of Freedom

　　宗教自由

　　This is a religion of freedom and reason for man to lead a noble life.

　　佛教鼓励信徒以自由的心灵过崇高的生活，佛教是一个自由及理性的宗教。

　　Buddhism does not prevent anyone from learning the teachings of other religions. In fact, the Buddha encouraged His followers to learn about other religions and to compare His Teachings with other teachings. The Buddha says that if there are reasonable and rational teachings. The Buddha says that if there are reasonable and rational teachings in other religions, His followers are free to respect such teachings. It seems that certain religionists try to keep their followers in the dark, some of them are not even allowed to touch other religious objects or books. They are instructed not to listen to the preachings of other religions. They are enjoined not to doubt the teachings of their own religion, however unconvincing their teachings may appear to be. The more they keep their followers on a one-track mind, the more easily they can keep them under control. If anyone of them exercises freedom of thought and realizes that he had been in the dark all the time, then it is alleged that the devil has possessed his mind. The poor man is given no opportunity to use his common sense, education, of his intelligence. Those who wish to change their views on religion are taught to believe that they are not perfect enough to be allowed to use free will in judging anything for themselves.

　　佛教不阻止任何人阅读或研究其它宗教，事实，佛教鼓励信众研究和比较其它宗教。佛陀说：「假如一个宗教有它合理的一面，它的信徒也有自由去崇敬这合理的一面。」某些宗教为了征服它的信众，使他们永远受困于黑暗，坚决的不允许信众接触其他宗教，不允许信众接触其它宗教的典籍，不许信众听闻其它宗教的教理。它们不允许信众对自己的信仰和教理有所怀疑，即使教理的表现是不能让人信服的。它们使信众生活在迷蒙中，有如羊群一样被牧放。假如有人睁开双眼看见光明，它们就会说，他已被魔鬼占据了内心，要打入黑暗的地狱。这些可怜的人，没有机会去运用他们的常识、他们的教育和学识。即使有人想改变这种看法，也会因为自己不够完善，以致不能自由的运用自己的意识来做出正确的判断。

　　According to the Buddha, religion should be left to one”s own free choice. Religion is not a law, but a disciplinary code which should be followed with understanding. To Buddhists true religious principles are neither a pine law nor a human law, but a natural law.

　　根据佛陀所教，宗教是一种自由选择的信仰，不是律法，而是一种应该奉行的道德规范。佛教不是世间法，而是自然法。

　　In actual fact, there is no real religious freedom in any part of the world today. Man has not the freedom even to think freely. Whenever he realizes that he cannot find satisfaction through his own religion to which he belongs, which cannot provide him with satisfactory answers to certain questions, he has no liberty to give it up and to accept another which appeals to him. The reason is that religious authorities, leaders, and family members have taken that freedom away from him. Man should be allowed to choose his religion which is in accordance with his own conviction. One has no right to force another to accept a particular religion. Some people surrender their religion for the sake of love, without a proper understanding of their partner”s religion. Religion should not be changed to suit man”s emotions and human weaknesses. One must think very carefully before changing one”s religion. Religion is not a subject for bargaining; one should not change one”s religion for personal, material gains. Religion is to be sued for spiritual development and for self-salvation.

　　事实，在今天的世界里，根本就没有真正的宗教自由，人类甚至失去了思想自由。当一个人发现他无法从自己信仰的宗教获得满足时，无法为他解答某些特殊的问题。他不能自由的放弃他原来信仰的宗教，而去接受一个对他更有吸引力的宗教。原因无他，因为这是一个权威性的宗教，宗教领导人和他的家庭成员剥夺了他的自由。人类应该有选择自己宗教信仰的自由。没有人有权力去强迫别人跟随自己的信仰。有些人是因为屈服于恋爱对象，而跟随他的信仰，这种人对宗教的了解还比不上木偶。宗教不应该令人屈服于情感的弱点而改变一个人。在转换信仰的时候，也应该慎重的考虑，因为宗教不是一种交易。一个人不应该为了个人或物质的利益而改变信仰，宗教信仰是为了开发心灵而获得自我的解脱。

　　Buddhists never try to influence other religionists to come and embrace their religion for material gain. Nor do they try to exploit poverty, sickness, illiteracy and ignorance in order to increase the number of Buddhist population. The Buddha advised those who indicated their wish to follow Him, not to be hasty in acceptin…

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