Are Buddhists Idol Worshippers
偶像崇拜
Buddhists are not idol worshippers but ideal worshippers.
佛教徒不崇拜偶像，佛教徒是理想的崇拜者。
Although it is customary amongst Buddhists to keep Buddha images and to pay their respects to the Buddha, Buddhists are not idol worshippers. Idolatry generally means erecting images of unknown gods and goddesses in various shapes and sizes and to pray directly to these images. The prayers are a request to the gods for guidance and protection. The gods and goddesses are asked to bestow health, wealth, property and to provide for various needs; they are asked to forgive transgressions.
习惯上，佛教徒都供奉佛陀的塑像或画像来表示对佛陀的崇敬，但是，佛教徒并不是偶像崇拜者。偶像崇拜，一般指人们以各式各样，不知名的男女神祇的塑像或画像，做为祷告的对象。祷告的人要求神祇指引和保护他们，他们祈求这些被供奉的神祇赐予他们健康、财富和各种需要，他们也要求神祇为他们赎罪。
The ”worshipping” at the Buddha image is quite a different matter. Buddhists revere the image of the Buddha as a gesture to the greatest, wisest, most benevolent, compassionate and holy man who has ever lived in this world. It is a historical fact that this great man actually lived in this world and has done a great service to mankind. The worship of the Buddha really means paying homage, veneration and devotion to Him and what He represents, and not to the stone or metal figure.
礼拜偶像的意义与崇拜神祇偶像不同。佛教徒尊敬佛陀，礼拜佛像是为了纪念这位世界最伟大、最有智慧、最仁慈、最高贵，曾经为人类做出巨大贡献的「人」。这位伟人曾经生活在这世间，他是一位历史人物，曾经为人类无私的奉献一切。礼拜佛像是为了对佛陀表示尊敬、瞻仰和怀念佛陀，而不是对木雕、石刻或金属塑造的偶像进行膜拜。
The image is a visual aid that helps one to recall the Buddha in the mind and to remember His great qualities which inspired millions of people from generation to generation throughout the civilized world. Buddhists use the statue as a symbol and as an object of concentration to gain a peace of mind. When Buddhists look upon the image of the Buddha, they put aside thoughts of strife and think only of peace, serenity, calmness and tranquillity. The statue enables the mind to recall this great man and inspires devotees to follow His example and instructions. In their mind, the devout Buddhists feel the living presence of the Master. This feeling makes their act of worship become vivid and significant. The serenity of the Buddha image influences and inspires them to observe the right path of conduct and thought.
佛陀的塑像或画像，有助于人们记忆佛陀，追思佛陀那伟大的人格和他对文明世界数千万人，一代又一代的影响。佛教徒把佛像当作一种象征，专注的观想佛像来获得心灵的宁静和安详。当佛教徒在观想佛像时，他们放下困扰他们的杂念，进入专一、平静、虔诚、宁静和安定的状况。佛像能激发人们生起追思佛陀功绩的信念，并热忱的追随佛陀的典范和他的教诲。在虔诚佛教徒心中，他们在感觉，佛陀就活灵活现的出现在他们眼前。这种心念，使他们生起礼拜佛像的动机，礼拜佛像也就变得有意义了。佛像的庄严肃穆，影响和激发人类追随佛陀正道的思想和正确的行为。
An understanding Buddhist never asks favours from the image nor does he request forgiveness for evil deeds committed. An understanding Buddhist tries to control his mind, to follow the Buddha”s advice, to get rid of worldly miseries and to find his salvation.
一个有悟性的佛教徒，决不会向佛像祈求恩赐或赎罪。一个有理性的佛教徒，懂得控制自己的心识，遵从佛陀的教诲，弃除世俗的烦恼，寻求解脱之道。
Those who criticize Buddhists for practising idol worship are really misinterpreting what Buddhists do. If people can keep the photographs of their parents and grandparents to cherish in their memory, if people can keep the photographs of kings, queens, prime ministers, great heroes, philosophers, and poets, there is certainly no reason why Buddhists cannot keep their beloved Master”s picture or image to remember and respect Him.
那些批评佛教徒崇拜偶像的人，是误解了佛教徒的行为。假使一个人可以保留他去世父母的肖像做为纪念，假使人们可以保留那些大英雄、大思想家、哲学家、科学家的肖像或塑像，我们就没有理由说，佛教徒不能保留他们所尊敬的导师的肖像或塑像来作为纪念。
What harm is there if people recite some verses praising the great qualities of their Master
If people can lay wreaths on the graves of beloved ones to express their gratitude, what harm is there is Buddhists too offer some flowers, joss-sticks, incense, etc., to their beloved Teacher who devoted His life to help suffering humanity
People make statues of certain conquering heroes who were in fact murderers and who were responsible…
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