..续本文上一页 know what is bad, blameworthy and censured by the wise, abandon those things. When you yourself know these things are good, not blameworthy, butpraised by the wise, accept and practise them." Thus was it said. And in reference to this was it said. / 「葛拉玛人！当你自己确切知道：“某些事物是不好的、错的、被明智者谴责的”，那么你们就应当舍弃它们。当你自己确切知道：“某些事物是好的、对的、被明智者赞扬的”，那么你就应当采信并依之修学。』」以上是我所说，而且对于我所说的，你们也当依此原则抉择之。」
We should always consider carefully before doing or accepting a thing. Ask ourselves: Is this a wholesome thing
When performed, does it bring happiness to ourselves as well as others in both the short run and long run
Is this an action which wise people would do without hesitation
/ 我们在做或接受一件事物之前应该要仔细地考虑清楚。问问我们自己：这是一件有益的事物吗？做了会带给自己和别人、现在与将来都快乐吗？这是明智的人毫不迟疑就会去做的一个行为吗？
The Buddha was open-minded about other religions and did not accuse them of willful deceit. There are good teachings in other religions too. He advised us: "If you find truth in any religion, accept that truth." / 佛陀对其他的宗教是心胸开放的而且没有指控他们是恶意的欺骗。在其他的宗教里也有很好的教导。佛陀劝勉我们：「如果你在任何的宗教发现了真理，都应该接受那个真理。」我们不能因为宗教不同而拒绝他们的真理，更何况真理不是只有佛教才有，真理是没有宗教派别的局限的。
Even his own doctrines were not excluded from critical investigation. He said, "One must not accept my teachings from reverence but first try them as gold is tried by fire." / 即使是佛陀自己宣说的教义也不能被排除于前述十项严格的检核之外。他说："任何人都不能因为尊敬我而接受我的教导，你们应当像用火检验黄金那样，严格的检验我的教导。"
Hence, the freedom of thought encouraged in Buddhism is unique in the history of religions. The Buddha gave us this freedom because we need it to gain emancipation from suffering. This goal is not attained as a reward given by a pine grace but as a result of our own realizations of the truth. / 因此，在整个宗教历史中，唯独只有佛教是鼓励全面自由思想的。佛陀鼓励我们不要盲目轻信而且可以自由质疑，因为我们需要用它来解脱苦恼。苦恼的解脱不是神佛恩赐就能得到的，而是要我们自己精进思惟修学，最后通达真理才能获得的。
2. The Practical Approach / 2. 实际的方法Buddhism and science bear great similiarities in areas of ideals and general principles. Both advocated free inquiry and freedom from authoritarian dogma. / 佛教和科学在目标和大原则上是相似的。两者都主张自由质疑以及没有权威的教条。
The Buddha discouraged the vain search after speculative issues which do not lead to the release of suffering. He considered questions such as the origin and end of the universe to be a wilderness of opinions. / 佛陀不鼓励徒劳无益地穷究一些不能解脱苦恼的推测性问题。他认为宇宙的起源和结束这一类的疑问是徒增迷惑的知见。
As an illustration, he gave the parable of a man who was shot with a poisoned arrow. The first thing to do is to remove the arrow as soon as possible. A person who indulges in speculative thinking and arguing is like the wounded man who refuses to seek a cure to the wound unless all his curiosity has first been satisfied. He _will surely die before that. / 举例来说，他曾经作一个譬喻：有个人被毒箭射伤了，第一要务应该是要尽快把箭除去，但是他却不立急寻求医治，反而要先研究那支箭是用什么材质做的？那个毒是什么毒…等等。一个沉迷在推测性思惟与争论的人就正如这个中了箭的人一样。他要等他的所有疑问都解决了才要求医，结果当然，他在送医之前就一命呜呼了。
It is also like a man who has worn a blind fold all his life and attempts to understand vision by logic or by repeating in his mind the words `green” and `bright” or having faith in `vision.” The man may ask questions about the nature of light, but to try explaining it to him is useless. Therefore, the Buddha discussed one thing and one thing only; that is, how to take off the blindfold. / 这情形又如一个人，他终其一生戴上眼罩，而想借着逻辑推理、反复诵念“绿色”“光亮”、或增强自己对视觉的信心，来了解视觉到底是怎么一回事。这个人可能提出很多有关于光的性质等疑问，但是无论你再怎么向他解释都是没有用的。因此，佛陀只讨论一件事且只有这一件事——如何脱掉眼罩。
Buddhism has a practical and specific purpose -- the cessation of suffering and all other irrelevant issues are completely cast aside. The Buddha demanded first, a study of life and phenomena in respect of their laws. This approach makes Buddhist philosophy, a scientific or positive philosophy. / 佛教的目标是实际而明确的——苦的止息，而所有其他不相干的议题都完全搁置一边。佛陀要求我们首先要探究宇宙人生万法的真理，这个见解使得佛教哲理成为一种理性科学或实证哲学。
※Experience the Dhamma / 体证佛法
The fruits of the Dhamma (the teachings) can be experienced here and now. If one is to walk the pat…
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