..续本文上一页vice for the welfare and happiness of others.
仁慈和善心是两大宗教品质。宗教能带来和平是因为不伤害和善待一切众生，同时，也为信徒缔造一个和谐、自由和宁静的生活。宗教的善心或慈悲心是建立在牺牲、服务、以及为众生谋求福利。
Religions differ according to the understanding capacity of their followers and the interpretation which religious authorities give to the religious doctrines and practices. In some religions, codes, while in others they only provide advice on the need and the way to follow these codes. Every religion will offer reasons to explain the existing human problems and inequalities and the way to remedy the situation. By way of explanation, some religions claim that man has to face these problems because he is on trial in this world. When such an explanation is given, another may ask, ”For what purpose
How can a man be judged on the basis of just one life when human beings generally differ in their experiences of physical, intellectual, social, economic and environmental factors and conditions
”
宗教的差别就在于信徒的了解和宗教导师如何解释教义和修行。在某些宗教里，宗教导师拥有很大的权力制定一切律法，而某些宗教只为信徒指引一条道德和正确的道路。所有的宗教都为人类的不平等和种种问题给予不同的答案和弥补的方法。某些宗教认为人类面对种种的问题，是因为他有罪。当这种论调提出时，有人不禁要问：「人类的物质、思想、社会背景、经济、环境及经历都有所不同，又怎能在人类短短的一生中来判断一个人是否有罪呢？」
Every religion has its own concept of what is regarded to be the goal of spiritual life. For some religions, eternal life in heaven or paradise with the Lord is the final goal. For some the ultimate aim in life is the union of universal consciousness, because it is believed that life is a unit of consciousness and it must return to the same original consciousness. Some religions believe that the ending of suffering or repeated birth and death is the final goal. For others, even heavenly bliss or union with Brahma (creator) is secondary to the uncertainty of existence, no matter, whatever form it takes. And there are even some who believe that the present life itself is more than enough to experience the aim of life.
每一个宗教都有一套对自己心灵目标的不同观念。有些宗教认为在天堂过永恒的生活是他们的最终目的。有些人认为生命是意识的一部份，必须回归到原始的意识。有些宗教相信，断灭苦和生死轮回是终极目标。有些却认为天堂的快乐，和「神」的境界是次要的，因为，他们认为不管在什么情况下生命都是无常。有些人却相信目前的生活已足够让他们体验人生的目标了。
To attain the desired goal, every religion offers a method. Some religions ask their followers to surrender to God or depend on God for everything. Others call for stringent asceticism as the means of purging oneself of all evil through self mortification. Some others recommend the performance of animal sacrifices and many kinds of rites and rituals as well as the recital of mantras for their purification to gain the final goal. There is yet another which upholds perse methods and devotions, intellectual realization of truth, and concentration of the mind through meditation.
Each religion has a different concept of punishment for evil deeds. According to some religions, man is doomed forever by God for his transgressions in this one life. Some others say that action and reaction(cause and effect)operate due to natural laws and the effect of a deed will only be experienced for a certain period. Some religions maintain that this life is only one of so many, and a person will always have chance to reform himself in stages until he finally evolves to attain the goal of Supreme Bliss.
每个宗教都有他们一套达到目标的方法。有些宗教要信徒归顺于「神」并依赖它。有些通过苦行来清除自己的罪孽。有些以牺牲动物的生命来祭祀，及持咒来净化自己。有些宗教采取比较广泛的修行方法，透过禅定来觉悟真理。每一个宗教都有自己一套不同的赏善、罚恶的观念。有些宗教认为人类一生下来就在犯罪，必须接受惩罚。有些相信因果是一种自然法，果报会在某些时候现前。有些宗教认为这一生是无数生之一，一个人有很多机会在不同阶段改善自己，最后得到最高的快乐。
Given such a wide variety of approaches, interpretations and goals of different religions adopted by mankind, it is useful for people not to hold dogmatic views about their religion but to be open to and tolerant of other religious views.
每个不同的宗教都有不同宗旨和教义，我们不要执着于自己所信仰的宗教，对其他宗教要有容忍的精神。
The Buddha said: ”One must not accept my teachings from reverence, but first try them as gold is tried by fire.”
佛陀说：「不要因为崇敬而相信我的教诲，必须像熔炼黄金一样，通过试验后才相信我。」
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《第十三章 自然· 价值观和宗教信仰 Chapter 13 Nature, Value And Choice Of Religious Beliefs》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…