..续本文上一页of conquests was not the subjugation of others but of the self. He taught in the Dhammapada, ”Even though a man conquers ten thousand men in battle, he who conquers but himself is the greatest of conquerors”.

　　佛陀教诲人们，要征服的不是其它的一切，而是自己。佛陀说过： 他在战场，战胜了千百万人，如果他能战胜自己，便是无敌的战士。《法句经》

　　Perhaps the best example of how the gentle message of the Compassionate One could rehabilitate the most savage of men is the case of the Emperor Asoka. About two hundred years after the Buddha, this king waged fierce battles across India and caused great anguish and fear. But when he absorbed the Dhamma, he regretted the evil that he had done. We remember and honor him today because after his conversion to the path of peace, he embarked on another battle: a battle to bring peace to mankind. He proved without doubt that the Buddha was right when He asserted that true greatness springs from love, not hatred, from humility, not pride; from compassion, not cruelty.

　　阿首咖(Asoka)是实践佛陀慈悲心的实例。在佛陀入灭后的二百年，阿首咖统治了印度大部分的领土，他发动战争，使人民陷于水深火热之中。当他接受了佛陀的教义后，发现了自己邪恶的行径，今天我们之所以还记得阿首咖，是因为他痛改前非，为自己统治的国家带来和平与稳定。他发动了另一场战争，一场为人类带来和平的战争。他证实了佛陀的教义是正确的，他不再对人类造成伤害，以爱心对待自己的臣民，不傲慢也不再残暴。

　　The Emperor Asoka”s conversion from cruelty to kindness was so complete that he forbade even the killing of animals in his kingdom. He realized that his subjects stole because of want and he set out to reduce want in his kingdom. But above all, he instructed the followers of the Buddha to remember the Master”s teaching never to force their beliefs on others who were loyal to other religious leaders. In other cases we have heard of kings who, upon conversion, perted their thirst for blood by spreading their new religion by the sword! Only Buddhism can take pride in a king who has never been equaled in such greatness before or ever since.

　　阿首咖将暴戾化为慈祥，他甚至连小动物都不忍心杀害。他理解到盗窃是因为贫穷，他尽量的改善人民的生活。他弘扬佛法，引导他的臣民都信仰佛教，尊重佛教。有哪一个国王不是以宝剑和人民的鲜血来统治国家呢？只有佛教能转化暴戾为祥和。

　　The Buddha”s Teachings were introduced in order that societies could be cultured and civilized and live in peace and harmony. All of life”s most difficult problems can be better understood if we but try to learn and practise His teachings. The Buddha”s approach to the problems and suffering of mankind is straightforward and direct.

　　佛陀的教义，提升了社会的文明，让人们生活在和平与协调中。只要学习和实践佛陀的教义，生活中的种种问题，也将得到全面的理解。佛陀为人类解决困苦的方法是直截了当的。

　　The Buddha was the greatest conqueror the world has ever seen. He conquered the world with His infallible weapons of love and truth. His Teaching illuminates the Way for mankind to cross from a world of darkness, hatred, and suffering, to a new world of light, love and happiness.

　　佛陀是这世界最伟大的胜利者。他征服世界的武器是爱和真理。他的教义启发了人类，使人类从嗔恚、痛苦的黑暗中到达光明、慈爱和幸福的彼岸。

《第二章 佛陀的言教 Chapter 2 His Message》全文阅读结束。