..续本文上一页ransformation of man”s inner consciousness remain rooted. While their branches spread outwards, they draw their nourishment from an unfailing source _the subconscious imperatives of the life-stream itself. So reforms come about when men”s minds have prepared the way for them, and they live as long as men revitalize them out of their own love of truth, justice and their fellow men.

　　有人把佛陀当做社会改革者，佛陀排斥种姓和阶级制度，提倡平等，提倡改善社会经济，财富必须平均分配，提升女性的社会地位。鼓励执政者排除贪念，以仁慈的心治理国家，处处为人民的利益着想。佛陀对人类的贡献，远远的超越以前所有的社会改革者。佛陀深入人类的内心，找出存在于人类内心的烦恼，一切社会的改革，都需要靠人类的内心来执行。强制、暴力性的改革所带来的效益是短暂的，因为没有根，只有通过内心的改革，才能根深蒂固。当心灵获得发展时，就能从生命中获得取之不尽的能源。社会的改革来自人类的心识，对自己的同胞有公正、挚爱的心，才能持久的延续下去。

　　The doctrine preached by the Buddha is not one based on ”Political Philosophy”. Nor is it a doctrine that encourages men to worldly pleasures. It sets out a way to attain Nibbana. In other words, its ultimate aim is to put an end to craving (Tanha) that keeps them in bondage to this world. A stanza from the Dhammapada best summarizes this statement: ”The path that leads to worldly gain is one, and the path that leads to Nibbana(by leading a religious life)is another.” However, this does not mean that Buddhists cannot or should not get involved in the political process, which is a social reality. The lives of the members of a society are shaped by laws and regulations, economic arrangements allowed within a country, institutional arrangements, which are influenced by the political arrangements of that society. Nevertheless, if a Buddhist wishes to be involved in politics, he should not misuse religion to gain political powers, nor is it advisable for those who have renounced the worldly life to lead a pure, religious life to be actively involved in politics.

　　佛陀所弘扬的佛法不是建立在政治领域，也不鼓励人类去享受世间的欲乐。他指引了涅槃之道。佛陀最终的目标是断除人类于世间的贪欲。在《法句经》中，这么说道：「通往世间欲乐是一条路，通往涅槃是另一条路。」

　　但是，这并不表示，佛教徒不可以参与政治。社会所有人类的行为，都受到律法条例的制约、经济的支配，教育制度同样受到政治的影响。一个佛教徒，如果想参与政治，就不应该利用宗教来达到政治目的。那些已放弃世间生活的出家人，如果想过着纯净的宗教生活，就不应该参与政治。

《佛教与政治 Buddhism and Politics》全文阅读结束。