Part Five

　　A Religion For Real Human Progress

　　第五篇

　　宗教与人类的进展

　　Chapter 13 Nature, Value And Choice Of Religious Beliefs

　　第十三章 自然.价值观和宗教信仰

　　Man and Religion

　　人类与宗教

　　Man is the only living being in this world who has discovered religion and performs worship and prayer.

　　人类是自然界中，唯一有宗教信仰的生物。

　　Man developed religion in order to satisfy his desire to understand the life within him and the world outside him. The earliest religions had animistic origins, and they arose out of man”s fear of the unknown and his desire to placate the forces which he thought inhabited inanimate objects. Over time these religions underwent changes, being shaped by the geographical, historical, socio-economic, political and intellectual environment existing at that time.

　　人类建立宗教信仰，为了满足自己对生命内在和外在的了解和欲望。由于人类对自然现象的恐惧，崇敬自然现象，赋予自然现象拟人化的表征，从而产生了最原始的宗教。这些原始宗教，受到时间、地理、历史、环境、经济、政治、文化的影响，不断的在演变。

　　Many of these religions have become organized and are flourishing to this day, backed by a strong following of devotees. Many people are drawn to organized religions because of the pomp and ceremony, while there are some who prefer to practice their own personal religion, inwardly venerating their religious teachers and applying moral principles in their daily life. Because of the importance of practice, every religion claims to be a way of life, not merely a faith. In view of their various origins and paths of development which religions undergo, it is hardly surprising that the religions of man should differ in their approach, the understanding and interpretation of their followers, their goal and how it can be achieved, and their concept of reward and punishment for deeds performed.

　　很多原始宗教，因为组织健全和信徒们大力的支持，至今不但存在，还在继续的发展。很多人被宗教仪式和典礼所吸引，但是，某些人选择了自己的信仰，在生活中实践道德性的修持。因为强调道德性的重要，每一个宗教都宣称他们的教义不止是信仰，还是生活的道路。各种宗教所了解的范围和所阐述的道理都不一样，它们的宗旨和如何实现目标的方法也不一样，它们对人类行为的赏、罚概念也不一致。

　　In terms of approach, religious practices may be based on faith, fear, rationality or harmlessness: Faith forms the basis of many religious practises which were developed to overcome man”s fear and to meet his needs. A religion of miraculous or mystical powers exploits that fear which arises from ignorance and makes promises of material gain based on greed. A religion of devotion is based on emotion and the fear of the supernatural which, it is so believed, can be appeased through rites and rituals. A religion of faith is based on the desire for gaining confidence in the face of the uncertainty of human life and destiny.

　　这是因为各种宗教的缘起、背景和经历都不一样的缘故。某些人可能是因为信心、恐惧、理智或仁慈的理由而信仰宗教。很多宗教以满足信徒的欲望和恐惧，来争取信徒。有些以奇迹或神秘的力量来迷惑那些贪婪和无知的信徒，并许诺信徒将获得物质的报酬。有些以迷信的概念，通过法事和仪轨来误导那些畏惧于超自然力量的信徒。有些信仰是树立人们的信心去面对生命的无常和对命运的恐惧。

　　Some religious practices grew as a result of the development of man”s knowledge, experience and wisdom. The rational approach to religion had been adopted in this case, incorporating the principles of human value and natural or universal laws. It is based on humanism and concentrates on the cultivation of humane qualities. A religion of cause and effect or kamma is based on the principle of self-help and assumes that the inpidual alone is responsible for his own happiness and suffering as well as salvation. A religion of wisdom is based on the application of reason and seeks to understand life and the reality of worldly conditions through analytical knowledge.

　　有些宗教的发展，是基于人类的学识、经验和智慧。理智的宗教信仰，融入自然法和人类的价值观，建立在仁慈、善良的品质上。一个以「因果」为基础的宗教，强调一个人必须对自己的善与恶业负责，接受自己所造成的幸福或苦难。一个智慧型的宗教，建立在以智慧分析和了解生命的本质以及宇宙的真理上。

　　Harmlessness and goodwill are common elements found in religion. A religion of peace is based on the principle of causing no harm to oneself as well as others, and its followers are to cultivate a harmonious, liberal and peaceful life. A religion of goodwill or loving-kindness is based on the sacrifice and ser…

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