Buddhism for man in Society

　　佛教为广大社群而存在

　　This religion can be practised either in society or in seclusion.

　　佛教不仅为修行者存在，同时也为广大社群而存在。

　　There are some who believe that Buddhism is so lofty and sublime a system that it cannot be practised by ordinary men and women in the workday world. These same people think that one has to retire to a monastery or to some quiet place if one desires to be a true Buddhist.

　　有些人认为佛教是高尚和庄严的，并不是一般的人能理解的，因为想要成为一名佛教徒，就必须隐居寺院或清净偏僻的地方。

　　This is a sad misconception that comes from a lack of understanding of the Buddha. People jump to such conclusions after casually reading or hearing something about Buddhism. Some people form their impression of Buddhism after reading articles or books that give only a partial or lopsided view of Buddhism. The authors of such articles and books have only a limited understanding of the Buddha”s Teaching. His Teaching is not meant only for monks in monasteries. The Teaching is also for ordinary men and women living at home with their families. The Noble Eightfold Path is the Buddhist way of life that is intended for all people. This way of life is offered to all mankind without any distinction.

　　这是由于对佛陀的教义缺乏了解，而产生的可悲的错误观念。这是由于阅读或聆听了一些有关佛教的教义，而这些教义并非全面的佛教观点。一些现代的学者或作家，由于对佛陀的教义缺乏全面的认识，因此造成错误的印象。佛陀的教义，不仅意味着只有出家人才可修持，任何在家的男女信众一样可以修持。八圣道是所有佛弟子的生活方式，这种生活方式适合于全人类。

　　The vast majority of people in the world cannot become monks or retire into caves or forests. However noble and pure Buddhism may be, it would be useless to the masses if they could not follow it in their daily life in the modern world. But if you understand the spirit of Buddhism correctly, you can surely follow and practise it while living the life of an ordinary man.

　　这世间绝大多数的人，都无法出家为僧，或隐居于山林洞穴中。如果，他们不能在生活中体现八圣道的精神，那么佛教对他们是毫无作用的。但是，一旦了解佛教的真正精神与价值，你就会在日常生活中实践佛陀的教义。

　　There may be some who find it easier and more convenient to accept Buddhism by living in a remote place; in other words, by cutting themselves off from the society of others. Yet , other people may find that this kind of retirement dulls and depresses their whole being both physically and mentally, and that it may therefore not be conducive to the development of their spiritual and intellectual life.

　　或许，有些人会发现，在僻静的地方修持佛法，比较容易或更方便，也就是说，断绝了一切的人际关系和往来。可是，某些人却发现，这种修行方式，减少或降低了整个身、心的全面发展，对精神或知识一点帮助也没有。

　　True renunciation does not mean running away physically from the world. Sariputta, the chief disciple of the Buddha, said that one man might live in a forest devoting himself to ascetic practices, but might be full of impure thoughts and ”defilements”. Another might live in a village or a town, practising no ascetic discipline, but his mind might be pure, and free from ”defilements”. ”Of these two,” said, Sariputta, ”the one who lives a pure life in the village or town is definitely far superior to, and greater than, the one who lives in the forest.” (Majjhima Nikaya)

　　真正的出家，并不意味着身体将远离社会。佛陀的大弟子沙利子说： 「一个人隐居山林，可是心中充满了污染杂念，而另一个人，居住在城里或村落里，严谨的修持佛法，远离污染杂念。这两个人相比较，居住在城里，过着清净生活的人，远比隐居于山林的人，来得高尚和伟大。」《中部》

　　The common belief that to follow the Buddha”s Teaching one has to retire from a normal family life is a misconception. It is really an unconscious defense against practising it. There are numerous references in Buddhist literature to men and women living ordinary, normal family lives who successfully practised what the Buddha taught and realized Nibbana. Vacchagotta the Wanderer, once asked the Buddha straightforwardly whether there were laymen and women leading the family life who followed His Teaching successfully and attained the high spiritual states. The Buddha categorically stated that there were many laymen and women leading the family life who had followed His Teaching successfully and attained the high spiritual states.

　　一般人相信学佛必须脱离正常的家庭生活，这是一种错误的观念…

《佛教为广大社群而存在 Buddhism for man in Society》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…