Is Buddhism a Theory or a Philosophy
佛教与哲学
The enlightenment of the Buddha is not a product of mere intellect.
佛陀的觉悟，不仅仅是智力的产物。
During the time of the Buddha there were many learned men in India who pursued knowledge simply for its own sake. These people were full of theoretical knowledge. Indeed, some of them went from city to city challenging anyone to a debate and their greatest thrill was to defeat an opponent in such verbal combats. But the Buddha said that such people were no nearer to the realization of the truth because in spite of their cleverness and knowledge they did not have true wisdom to overcome greed, hatred and delusion. In fact, these people were often proud and arrogant. Their egoistic concepts disturbed the religious atmosphere.
在佛陀的时代，印度有很多学者，他们各自发展自己的思想和学说，有些甚至到各地去弘扬他们自己的思想和学说，或与其他思想家辩论。但是，佛陀认为这些人并不理解宗教的真谛，虽然他们都很聪明，可是，却没有真正的对治贪、嗔、痴的智慧。他们那自我主义的概念，混淆了清晰的宗教思维。
According to the Buddha, one must first seek to understand one”s own mind. This was to be done through concentration which gives one a profound inner wisdom or realization. And this insight is to be gained not by philosophical argument or worldly knowledge but by the silent realization of the illusion of the Self.
根据佛陀所教，一个人必须先了解自己的心智，要了解心法的真相和专注的发展内观智慧。观照的智慧并不是一般世俗的哲学。
Buddhism is a righteous way of life for the peace and happiness of every living being. It is a method to get rid of miseries and to find liberation. The Teachings of the Buddha are not limited to one nation or race. It is neither a creed nor a mere faith. It is a Teaching for the entire universe. It is a Teaching for all time. Its objectives are selfless service, good-will, peace, salvation and deliverance from suffering.
佛教是世间众生和平、幸福与正确的生活之道，是一种消除烦恼而最终达到解脱的方法。佛陀的教义并不限囿于一个国家或一个民族。佛陀的教义不是教条也不是信仰，而是对全宇宙的开示，而这开示从古至今都是一样的。佛陀的教义是一种无私的奉献，为人类寻求友善、和平及灭苦的获得解脱自在的道路。
Salvation in Buddhism is an inpidual affair. You have to save yourself just as you have to eat, drink and sleep by yourself. The advice rendered by the Buddha points the Way to liberation; but His advice was never intended to be taken as a theory or philosophy. When He was questioned as to what theory He propounded, the Buddha replied that He preached no theories and whatever he did preach was a result of His own experience. Thus His Teaching does not offer any theory. Theory cannot bring one nearer to spiritual perfection. Theories are the very fetters that bind the mind and impede spiritual progress. The Buddha said, ”Wise men give no credence to passing theories. They are past believing everything they see and hear.”
解脱，对佛教徒而言，是个人份内的事，你必须自救，就好像你必须吃、喝和睡眠一样。佛陀教义的宗旨，就是在指示什么是解脱之道。我们不要把佛陀的教义当作是一种理论或哲学。当有人问及佛陀提倡何种学说时，佛陀回答道，他所提倡的不是哲学，而是他个人觉悟的经验。佛陀的教义不是哲学，哲学不能带给人们精神的突破。哲学本身有很多的局限性，甚至阻碍了我们精神的进展。
Theories are product of the intellect and the Buddha understood the limitations of the human intellect. He taught that enlightenment is not a product of mere intellect. One cannot achieve emancipation by taking an intellectual course. This statement may seem irrational but it is true. Intellectuals tend to spend too much of their valuable time in study, critical analysis and debate. They usually have little or no time for practice.
佛陀说：「智者不依据学说，他们不羁缚自己，他们只是仔细的观察和聆听。」
理论是学识的产品，佛陀了解人类学识的局限性，因此，佛陀的教义不是学识的产品。一个人不会因学识而获得觉悟，这说法好像不合逻辑，但却是真实的。知识份子花太多的时间去研究、分析和辩论，可是，在修持所花的时间却太少了。
A great thinker (philosopher, scientist, metaphysician, etc.) can also turn out to be an intelligent fool. He may be an intellectual giant endowed with the power to perceive ideas quickly and to express thoughts clearly. But if he pays no attention to his action and their consequences, and if he is only bent on fulfilling his own longings and inclinations at any cost then, according to the Buddha, he is an intellectual fool, a man of inferior intelligence…
《佛教与哲学 Is Buddhism a Theory or a Philosophy
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