Is Buddhism Pessimistic
佛教与悲观主义
Buddhism is neither pessimistic nor optimistic but a realistic religion.
佛教既不乐观，也不悲观，佛教是真实的宗教。
Some critics argue that Buddhism is morbid, cynical, hovering on the dark and shadowy side of life, an enemy of harmless pleasures, and an unfeeling trampler on the innocent joys of life. They see Buddhism as being pessimistic, as fostering an attitude of hopelessness towards life, as encouraging a vague, general feeling that pain and evil predominate in human affairs. These critics base their views on the First Noble Truth that all conditioned things are in a state of suffering. They seem to have forgotten that not only had the Buddha taught the cause and end of Suffering, but he had taught the way to end Suffering. In any case, is there any religious teacher who praised this worldly life and advised us to cling to it
一些批评家认为佛教是不健全的、悲观的、愤世嫉俗的宗教，徬徨于昏沉与黑暗中，以无害的快乐为敌人，无感受的飘泊在单纯的生活中。因而断言，佛教是在悲观中孕育一种对生命绝望的生活态度，鼓励一种模糊笼统的概念，认为人生被痛苦和邪恶所占据。这些批评主要基于他们误解了四圣谛中的苦圣谛，以及实践一切缘起无不是苦的看法。
If the founder of this religion, the Buddha, was such a pessimist, one would expect His personality to be portrayed on more severe lines than has been done. The Buddha image is the personification of Peace, Serenity, Hope and Goodwill. The magnetic and radiant smile of the Buddha which is said to be inscrutable and enigmatic, is the epitome of His doctrine. To the worried and the frustrated, His smile of Enlightenment and hope is an unfailing tonic and soothing balm.
假使佛教的创始人──佛陀，真的是一位悲观主义者，对他的描绘将更加恶劣。事实上，佛陀的形象是和平、庄严、充满希望和善意的。佛陀身上散发出的微笑和吸引力，据说是不可臆测和难以理解的，也可以说这就是他的教义的缩影。对灰心和苦闷者而言，佛陀那充满希望的微笑，是一种永不失败的力量、是一种振奋剂和令人欣慰的芳香。
The Buddha radiated His love and compassion in all directions. Such a person can hardly be a pessimist. And when the sword-happy kings and princes listened to Him, they realized that the only true conquest is the conquest of the Self and the best way to win the hearts of the people was to teach them to appreciate the Dhamma---Truth.
The Buddha cultivated His sense of humor to such a high degree that His bitter opponents were disarmed with the greatest ease. Often they could not help laughing at themselves. The Buddha had a wonderful tonic; He cleaned their systems of dangerous toxins and they became enthusiastic thereafter to follow in His footsteps. In His sermons, dialogues and discussions, He maintained that poise and dignity which won for Him the respect and affection of the people. How can such a person be a pessimist
佛陀慈悲的光辉普照十方，像他这样的人，不可能是一位悲观者。当剑喜王和他的太子在聆听了佛陀的开示后，他们了解唯一获得真正自我的征服，和获得民心的最佳方法，就是佛陀真理的教义──佛法。佛陀拥有高度的幽默感，他经常发出会心的微笑，令他的敌对者因此而消除敌意。佛陀拥有一种特殊的力量，他能消除信徒的危险和邪恶的心识，并令他们心甘情愿的追随他。佛陀在弘法、辩论或和信众们讨论问题时，总是保持自己的尊严和平和的态度，因此赢得广大信众对他的崇拜和景仰。像这样的一个人，我们能说他是悲观主义者吗？
The Buddha never expected His followers to be constantly brooding over the suffering of life and leading a miserable and unhappy existence. He taught the fact of suffering only so that He could show people how to overcome this suffering and move in the direction of happiness. To become an Enlightened person, one must have joy, one of the factors that the Buddha recommended us to cultivate. Joy is hardly pessimistic.
佛陀从来都不希望信众过着痛苦、忧愁和焦虑不安的生活。他指示了痛苦的真相，和克服及消灭痛苦的方法和道路。要成为一位觉悟者，必须快乐。快乐是佛陀要我们培养证悟觉悟的条件之一。快乐绝对不是悲观的。
There are two Buddhists texts called the Theragatha and Therigatha which are full of the joyful utterances of the Buddha”s disciples, both male and female, who found peace and happiness in life through His Teaching. The king of Kosala once told the Buddha that unlike many a disciple of other religious systems who looked haggard, coarse, pale, emaciated and unprepossessing, His disciples were ”joyful and elated, jubilant and exultant, enjoying the spiritual life, serene, peaceful and living with a gazelle”s mind, light-hearted.” The king ad…
《佛教与悲观主义 Is Buddhism Pessimistic
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