Sex and Religion

　　性与宗教

　　”The lower part of us is still animal.”(Gandhi)

　　在人类的本性中，潜藏着兽性。 ─甘地─

　　The sex impulse is the most dynamic force in human nature. So far-reaching is the sexual force that some measures of self-control is necessary even in ordinary existence. In the case of the spiritual aspirant, for whoever wants to bring his mind under complete control, a still greater measure of self-discipline is necessary. Such a powerful force in human character can be subdued only if the aspirant controls his thoughts and practises concentration. The conservation of the sexual force helps to develop this strength. For if he controls the sexual force, he will have more control over his whole make-up, over his lesser emotions.

　　「性」是人类最原始的动力，性的影响深邃。因此，某种程度的自我节制，对人类而言是必要的。如果想进一步对自己的心灵有所发展，对心识的控制更加应该收发自如，致力于更高的自我心灵的锻炼，就显得更重要了。要克服「性」这股强大的动力，必须先降伏自己的心念。只要能控制好「性」的冲动，将更能有效的控制其他的行为和情绪。

　　Celibacy is one of the requirements for those who like to develop their spiritual development to perfection. However, it is not compulsory for each and every person to observe complete celibacy in order to practise Buddhism. The Buddha”s advice is that observing celibacy is more congenial for a person who wants to cultivate his spiritual achievements. For ordinary Buddhist laymen, the precept is to abstain from sexual misconduct. Although perversion of the sexual force is not under this same category, the perverted person invariably suffers bad reactions either physically, or mentally or both.

　　「独身」是开展心灵力量的条件之一。但是，佛教并不强迫每一个人都过独身的生活。「独身」与培养心灵的成就有关，但是，对一般的佛教徒而言，只要持守不邪淫戒就可了，绝对不能对性欲有所放纵。性欲放纵者，无论在生理或心理都会带来不幸。

　　There is a need for Buddhist laymen to exercise some degree of control over their sexual force. Man”s sexual urge must be controlled properly otherwise man will behave worse than an animal when he is intoxicated with lust. Consider the sexual behavior of what we call the ”lower animal”. Which really is often ”lower”

　　 The animal or the man

　　 Which acts in a normal, regular manner as regards sexual behavior

　　 And which runs off into all manner of irregularities and perversities

　　 Often it is the animal that is the higher creature and man that is the lower. And why is this

　　 It is simply because man who possesses the mental capacity which if rightly used, could make him master over his sex impulses, has actually used his mental powers in such deplorable fashion as to make himself more a slave to those impulses. Thus man can, at times, be considered lower than the animal.

　　佛教徒必须在某种程度控制自己的性欲。当人们沉迷于性欲时，他的行为还不如动物。我们称性放纵者为「低等动物」。谁比较「低等」呢？是动物还是「人」呢？谁 比 较 正常 呢 ？ 难 道 是 性 放 纵 者 ？ 谁 比 较 有 规 律 和 有 原 则 呢 ？ 这 一 比 较 ， 高 尚的「人」，就显得比动物「低等」多了。为什么呢？因为，人类拥有心智能力，能够正确的运用心智、压制冲动。可是，人类常为性冲动所奴役，因此，就显得比动物更「低等」了。

　　Our ancestors played down this sexual impulse; they knew that it was strong enough without giving it any extra encouragement. But today we have blown it up with a thousand forms of incitation, suggestive advertisements, emphasis and display; and we have armed the sexual force with the doctrine that inhibition is dangerous and can even cause mental disorders.

　　我们的祖先不重视「性」的问题，他们了解「性」那股强大的动力，因此，不需要特别地去鼓励。但是，我们今天被成千上万的「性」渲染所诱惑，种种挑逗性的广告、海报到处可见，有些人甚至为「性放纵」作辩护，认为控制「性欲」会导致心智失常。

　　Yet inhibition the control of impulse is the first principle of any civilization. In our modern civilization, we have polluted the sexual atmosphere that surrounds us. So great is the mind-body urge for sexual gratification.

　　事实，控制「性欲」是各种文明的首要原则。我们这「现代文明」已经污染了我们对「性」的认识。我们的身心，也受到了不正当「性」观念的感染。

　　As a result of this sex exploitation by the hidden persuaders of modern society, the youth of today have developed an attitude toward sex that is becoming a public nuisance. An innocent girl has no freedom to move anywhere without being disturbed. On the other hand, females should be dressed such a manner as not to …

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