Chapter 2 His Message

　　Message for All

　　佛陀发给全人类的讯息

　　Buddha--the flower of mankind, is no more in this world, but the sweet fragrance of His peace message remains forever.

　　佛陀是人类的花朵，虽然他已不在人间。但是，他的信息像甜蜜的花香一样，散布人间。

　　Buddhism is one of the oldest religions still being practised in the world today. While the names of many other religions which existed in India have been forgotten today, the teachings of the Buddha, (better known as the Dhamma)are still relevant to the needs of today”s society. This is because the Buddha has always considered himself as human religious teacher whose message was meant to promote the happiness and well-being of other human beings. The Buddha”s primary concern was to help His followers to live a normal life without either going to the extremes of self-denial or totally surrendering to sensual desires.

　　佛教是古老的宗教，到今天为止仍然受到人类的尊崇。在古老的印度次大陆，在许多宗教已经烟消云散的今天，佛陀的教义──佛法，仍然萦绕在我们耳边，受到现代社会的认同。这是因为佛陀只把自己当作人类的导师，他为人类传播了快乐和善良的信息。佛陀的本怀是要所有的追随者，舍弃「我」的观念和一切欲望而进入圣界。

　　The practical nature of the Buddha”s teaching is revealed in the fact that not everyone is expected to attain exactly the same goal in one lifetime, since the mental impurities are deeply rooted. Some people are spiritually more advanced than others and they can proceed to greater heights according to their state of development. But every single human being has the ultimate potential to attain the supreme goal of Buddhahood if he has the determination and will to do so.

　　实践佛陀的教诲，不是每个人都能做到的，也不是每个人都能达到相同的成就。物质的诱惑深邃的在我们心中扎根，有些人能摆脱诱惑，得到很好的心灵发展，但是，每一个人都要付出很大的牺牲、决心和耐心才会对佛道有所了解。

　　Even now does the soft, sweet voice of the Buddha ring in our ears. And sometimes we perhaps feel a little ashamed because we do not understand Him fully. Often we only praise His Teaching and respect Him, but do not try to practise what He preached. The Buddha”s Teaching and message have had their effect on all people for thousands of years whether they believe in religion or not. His message is for all.

　　即使在今天，佛陀那温柔、甜美的声音还萦绕在我们的耳边。我们或许会感到羞耻，因为我们并没有真的去了解佛陀的教义。通常我们只是赞叹于他的教义和敬重他的为人，可是并没有去实践佛陀的教诲。数千年来佛陀的教诲对全人类都是有效的，无论他是不是佛教徒，佛陀的信息是发给全人类的。

　　Though the Buddha, the flower of mankind, is no longer in this world, the sweet fragrance and exquisite aroma of His Teachings have spread far and wide. Its balmy, diffusing fragrance has calmed and soothed millions. Its ambrosial perfume has heartened and cheered every nation which it has penetrated. The reason that His Teachings have captured millions of hearts is because they were spread(not by weapons or political power)but by love and compassion for humanity. Not a drop of blood stains its pure path. Buddhism wins by the warm touch of love, not by the cold claws of fear. Fear of the supernatural and the doctrine of everlasting hell-fire have no place in Buddhism.

　　虽然佛陀 ──这朵属于人类的花朵，已经不存在了，但是他那甜蜜的花香仍然在人间到处散播。这花香让成千上万的人获得慰藉，这花香鼓舞了每个受到佛法滋润的国家。为什么佛陀的教义能征服千万人的心，因为他完全以慈悲心作为指导(不是以武力或政治力量)。在弘法的过程中，没有沾染了一点血腥，佛陀以慈悲心征服人类而不是以强硬或恐怖的手段。超自然的恐惧或地狱的炼火，从来就不会在佛教里出现。

　　During the last 25 centuries since the appearance of the Buddha, many changes have taken place in this world. Kingdoms have risen and fallen; nations have prospered and perished. However, the world today has forgotten many of these past civilizations. But the name of the Buddha remains alive and fresh in the minds of millions of people today. The Kingdom of Righteousness that He built is still strong and steady. Although many temples, pagodas, images, libraries and other religious symbols erected in His honor were destroyed, His untainted Noble Name and the message He gave remain in the minds of cultured people.

　　佛陀入灭二十五个世纪以来，世界发生了很多变化，王国不断的兴起和消亡。虽然在这世界已经遗失了许多古老的文明，但是，佛陀仍然活跃在千万人的心头。佛陀所建立的真理的王国，至今仍然屹立不倒。虽然很多佛寺、佛塔、图像、经典和佛教志都已遭到破坏，可是佛陀的言教和他那完美的形象，仍然活在现代文明人的心中。

　　The Buddha taught man that the greatest …

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