佛教超越界限 Buddhism Beyond Boundaries

Buddhism Beyond Boundaries

佛教超越界限

金剛禪慧譯

Scope of Unity, Harmony and Development:

團結、和諧和發展的領域

While talking about Buddhism or Buddhist philosophy today, we often see that Buddha or his teachings have been confined to a sectarian religion followed by certain group of people only. People following religions such as Islam, Christianity and even some sects of Hinduism take Buddhism as a religion other than theirs and hence to be followed by those limited people who regard themselves as Buddhist in terms of their religion. Because of this, many people do not want to link themselves with Buddha or Buddhist philosophy of life and keep themselves away from discussions about Buddhism. For disillusioning this misconception from many people's mind, we should make people understand what actually Buddha is and what Buddhism is.

今天，當談及佛教或佛教哲學時，我們經常看到佛陀或祂的教法，被局限成為某一組人所追隨的某一流派的宗教。伊斯蘭教、基督教和甚至某些印度教的流派的追隨者，將佛教視為他們以外的宗教，如是，只會被他們的宗教所視為是佛教徒的人所追隨。因此，許多不希望將自己與佛陀或佛教的生命哲學有所聯繫，他們讓自己遠離有關佛教的討論。為了令人們認識這個錯誤觀點是不正確，我們應該令人們明白佛陀實際是什麼、佛教是什麼。

What is Buddha?

The question here is 'what' rather than 'who' the Buddha is. Buddha actually is not a single human being, not only Siddhartha Gautama. 'Buddha' is a state of mind, any one that has made oneself enlightened, one who has set oneself in the state of perfect equanimity and isn't touched by word 'sorrow'. Buddha denotes the one free from worldly illusion of pleasure and pain. Siddhartha Gautama was one of the Buddha who achieved enlightenment and discovered the path to get the state of nirvana (supreme goal/happiness). With his perseverance, meditation and consistent practice of equanimity, he obtained the state free from illusion. He not only got salvation of his soul but also taught the world the noble path to obtain salvation. His philosophy is truly humanitarian that has universal implications regardless of sect, class, caste, race or religious differences Gautama, the Buddha is remembered most among the others because he identified simple methods to make people understand the truth of life and to tread on the noble paths to get salvation of soul. His philosophy teaches oneness, unity, harmony and universal peace.

什麼是佛陀？

在這裏，問題是〝什麼〞是佛，而不是佛是誰。佛陀實際上不是一個人，不單是悉達多．喬達摩。〝佛〞是一個思想的狀態，任何令自己覺悟了，一個將自己穩固在完美平靜的狀態中而不被〝痛苦〞所碰的人。佛代表遠離世間苦樂的虛幻的人。悉達多．喬達摩是其中一個成就覺悟和發現通向涅槃狀態的佛。他以堅忍、修持和始終一如地作平靜的修行，而獲得遠離虛幻的狀態。他的靈魂不單獲得拯救，他亦教導世界獲取拯救的聖道。他的哲學是具有宇宙意義的真正人道主義。不論教派、級別、種姓、種族或宗教區別，喬達摩，佛陀是在眾人中最被紀念的一個，因為他辨別出簡單的方法以令人們明白生命的真實，讓人們走上聖道以獲得靈魂的拯救。他的哲學教導同一性、團結、和諧和宇宙和平。

Why Buddhism?

As we know, Buddhism is often linked with Peace. The word 'Buddha' has developed as a synonym for peace. Buddhism's main emphasis is universal peace and harmony among living beings in the world since Buddhism believes in 'One' or 'Unity'. Buddhism's eight-fold path towards enlightenment focuses on controlled speech, controlled behavior, and abstinence from killing, lies, harsh words, intoxicants, sexual misconducts, stealing and the like. All these factors are causes of sorrow in this world, both for the person adopting wrong behavior and the society in which one lives. Buddha's teachings help us to get rid of these sorrows from within ourselves to get eternal happiness. Buddha's philosophy doesn't only preach to have a moral and humanitarian conducts but also teaches how to follow the noble paths in practice. We can discuss the relevance of Buddhism in today's world in terms of following factors:

為何佛教？

就如我們所知道，佛教經常與和平連在一起。〝佛〞這個字已發展成為和平的同義詞。佛教的主要重點是世界中的生物之間的宇宙性和平與和諧，因為佛教相信〝一〞或〝統一〞。佛教通向覺悟的八正道著重有控制的語言、有控制的行為，和戒殺、戒妄、戒粗語、戒酒、戒不端的性行為、戒盜和類似的行為。所有這些因素也是引起這個世界的痛苦的原因，這對行使這些錯誤行為的個人和他所居住的社會亦是如此。佛的教導令我們在自身中去除這些痛苦，從而獲得永恆快樂。佛的哲學不單教導我們需要有道德和符合人道的品行，亦教導我們如何在修行中遵循諸聖道。我們可以從以下因素中，討論佛教在今天社會中的適宜性：

i) The problem of the world today:

The great threat of the world today is that of violence and terrorism that has preoccupied every human mind in the form of threat—fear psychosis. Disorder, anarchy, and chaos have become the characteristic of the postmodern world. People's mind/heart has become so dry that spirituality has become a word for dictionary only. People and countries are busy waging war against each other for the sake of power to rule and have hegemony over others, a power that is so worldly and short term. We are running after material comfort so madly that Truth and Enlightenment seem so vague and peculiar subjects. People are using the word 'humanity' but practice of humanity is lacking. Many people know the definition of humanity but they haven't experienced humanitarian feelings themselves. 'Humanity' has become only vocabulary, not practice. People easily lose temper; easily get tempted for material greed, and easily make enemies. People lack equanimity or what we call non-attachment and as a result people are suffering. 

一、當今世界的問題

當今世界的巨大威脅是暴力和恐怖主義已經以危機─恐懼精神變態的形式先侵佔了人們的思想。混亂、無法無度和無序成為了後現代社會的特徵。人們的思想已乾涸至〝靈性〞只是字典裏使用的文字。人們和國家之間忙於相互打仗，為了獲得統治的權力和在別人之上的霸權，一個非常世間而短暫的權力。我們瘋狂地追求物質舒適直至真理和覺悟彷似含糊而怪誕的命題。人們在使用〝人道〞這個字，但人道的實踐卻是缺乏的。許多人懂得人道的定義，但他們自身卻從未經歷過人道的感受。〝人道〞已成為只是一個詞彙，不是實踐。人們容易火躁，容易為物質貪慾所迷惑，容易樹敵。人們缺乏平靜，或我們稱為的無執著，因此，人們在受苦。

In such a complex era, people's mind needs to be diverted from petty materialism to vast spiritualism. We followers of Buddha's philosophy should strive to get unity among human beings to have a harmonious world. Buddha may be easy subject to understand for many, but to implement it in life one needs to have faith, dedication and determination. We being devoted Buddhists can help people to tread on this path along with us in a unitary mission to spread happiness throughout the world, a mission that is pure and selfless in itself. "Be happy and make others happy"- this principle of Buddhism helps to create universal love and harmony but we have to stimulate trust for Buddhism in human psyche.

在如此複雜的時代裏，人們的思想需要從狹小的唯物論轉向廣大的唯心論。作為佛陀哲學的追隨者，我們應該在人們之間努力爭取團結以令世界和諧。佛或許對很多人而言，是一個容易理解的對象，但要把它在生活中實踐，需要信心、虔心和決心。作為虔誠的佛教徒，我們可以幫助人們與我們一起走這條路，統一我們的使命以將快樂傳遍整個世界──一個本身純淨而無我的使命。〝自身快樂，同時讓他人快樂〞──佛教的這信條幫助產生宇宙性的愛和和諧，但我們需要在人類心靈中激起對佛教的信任。

ii) Buddhism's mission:

Buddhism believes in harmonious life among all living beings regardless of different species of animals, plants or birds. Non-violence, co-existence, universal peace, harmony and fearless world for all beings of aquatic, terrestrial or aerial ecosystem are some of the principles of Buddhism that we all are familiar with. But are we, as Buddhist followers, being able to maintain any of these principles in present postmodern fragmented world? People's psyche is fragmented, people's ideologies are divided. People's thoughts, ambitions, desires are fragmented. Selfishness as an evil has preoccupied our psyche. We are unable to cope with such problems because we still lack unity among us, a strong bond, and a strong dedication to maintain harmony. We, as the members of various Buddhist organizations are working from our respective positions but we are not able to get required result because even we Buddhist organizations are fragmented. Our unitary vision is lacking and even though our mission is same, our paths have become different. The differences among us, feeling of hierarchy are weaknesses of ours, obstacles in our mission.

二、佛教的使命：

佛教相信，不論動物、植物或鳥類的不同品種，所有生物之間都是和諧的生活。非暴力、共存、宇宙性和平、和諧，提供給海、陸、空生態系統的所有生物的無恐懼世界，是一些我們都熟悉的佛教信條。但是，作為佛教追隨者，我們能否在當今的後現代的分裂社會中，維持這些其中任何一個原則？人們的精神被破碎了，人們的理念被分裂了。人們的思想、理想、慾望也是散碎的。自私作為一個邪惡，已先侵佔了我們的心靈。我們不能夠處理這些問題，因為我們依然缺乏我們之間的團結，一個強力的聯繫，和一個維持和諧的強力奉獻。作為不同佛教組織的成員，我們都在我們各自的位置工作，但我們不能夠獲得需要的成果，因為甚致我們這些佛教組織也是破碎的。我們缺乏統一的視野，而即使我們的使命是一樣的，我們的道途也變得不同。我們之間的歧見，等級高低的感覺是我們的弱點，我們完成使命的障礙。

Now we shouldn't delay to realize our weaknesses and forget our differences to get united to get success in our mission of maintaining universal harmony for the development of human beings in positive way. Since Buddhism is a way of life, we shouldn't let it be confined in certain boundary of religious ideologies. It is open to all. It is human beings' philosophy and we have to make it circulate among each human individual through discussions about it, information about it via various sources and media. We can develop Buddhism as a string to weave all the beings in a single wreath. Unity among human beings is possible only through realization of self. Realization is possible through equanimity and non-attachment. A harmonious society is the foundation of peace and happiness which is also the basic requirement for the development of society. If all of us get united to fight against violence of all sorts, then we can solve the present problem of the world together. 

現在，我們不應該耽擱去認識我們的弱點，忘記我們的歧見，以令我們在維持宇宙性和諧的這個使命中團結起來，從而獲得成功。因為佛教是一個生活的方式，我們不應該讓它局限在某些宗教理念的界限之中。它是開放給所有人的。它是人類的哲學，而我們應讓它，通過討論、資訊和通過不同來源和傳媒，流傳到每一個人。我們可以將佛教發展成為一條將所有生物編織在同一個花環上的繩子。在人類當中的團結，只有通過自我的証悟才能獲得。証悟只有通過平靜和無執著才可獲得。一個和諧的社會是和平與快樂的基礎，這亦是社會發展的最基本要求。如我們所有人都團結起來反對任何種類的暴力，那麼我們就能夠一起解決當今世界的問題。

What can be the further mission of WBSY?

Realizing the need of unity and harmony among different schools of Buddhism and realizing the role of young Buddhist disciples in spreading the Buddhist mission of unity, peace and harmony, World Buddhist Sangha Youth (WBSY) was established and inaugurated in Kathmandu , Nepal on 8 Feb, 2004. Ven. Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero's great vision and contribution for establishing WBSY can't be expressed in words because it was from visioning, inaugurating this organization at Lord Buddha's birthplace in Nepal when a few monks belonging to three main schools of thoughts of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana) from 8 countries had participated to present state when WBSY has spread among 3,000 members from 42 countries, Most Ven. Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero's dedication, blessings and constant involvement was always with us. 

世界佛教青年僧伽會的進一步使命可以是什麼？

領悟到不同佛教流派之間的團結與和諧的需要，以及認識到青年佛教信徒們在傳播佛教團結、和平與和諧的使命之中的角色，世界佛教青年僧伽會在二零零四年二月八日於尼泊爾伽德滿都成立及開展。尊貴的阿努如來達摩的巨大視野和對建立世界佛教青年僧伽會的貢獻，是不能夠以文字表達的，因為在佛祖誕生的地方尼泊爾，對這一組織的視野和開始，當時只有從八個國家屬於佛教三個主要思想流派（上座部、大乘、金剛乘）來參加的小數僧人，發展至現時世界佛教青年僧伽會已傳至四十二個國家的三千個成員，最尊貴的阿努如來達摩的奉獻、祝福和不斷的投入經常與我們同在。

With the aim of bringing young monks and nuns of the different Buddhist schools of thoughts, providing them opportunity to come together, exchange ideas and thoughts, share their experiences and together find and formulate plans to carry out the duty of dhammaduta and to spread the noble Truth, WBSY has successfully conducted four General Conferences. The theme 'We Are One' really helped many of us to be 'One' in the mission of Buddhism. WBSY is expanding its mission with due guidance and blessings from President of WBSY Most Ven. Bhagawan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti and Secretary General and Founder of WBSY Most Ven. Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero. The 5th General Conference is focusing on the theme of 'Unity, Harmony and Development' under the title 'Buddhism Beyond Boundaries' which is very apt to the present situation of the world where people and countries are involved in enmity and war for baseless issues like religious orthodoxy, for getting material power and for the purpose of revenge all of which are only the causes of sorrow. We young disciples of Buddhism who are assigned as dhammaduta can go among these people, especially among youths to help them come out of the illusion of materialism which has imprisoned them in such a dark cave that they can't see the reality or understand it when someone tell them about the TRUTH. The mission is full of challenges since making people take wrong path is much easier than to make them follow right path. But we have to be One to carry out this noble task of cultivating nature of unity, harmony, humanity, peace and equanimity among people regardless of their religion, country or status. For this mission, all of us belonging to Theravada, Mahayana or Vajrayana, have to involve ourselves in the path that we generate from the great conferences like that of WBSY.

動員不同佛教思想流派的青年僧尼，提供他們聚合的機會、交換意見和思想、分享經驗、共同尋找和制定計劃以實行傳播教法的任務以及弘揚聖諦作為目標，世界佛教青年僧伽會成功地舉行了四次大會。〝We are one〞的主題真的幫助了我們很多人在完成佛教的使命中成為一體。在會長最尊貴的薄伽梵智及維摩詰和秘書長及創始人最尊貴的阿努如來達摩的適時指導和加持下，世界佛教青年僧伽會正在拓展其使命。第五屆大會在〝佛教超越界限〞的題目下，著重於〝團結、和諧與發展〞的主題，這對於現時的世界狀況是非常切題的，人們和國家也為著正統宗教、獲得物質權力和報仇等無根據的問題，而投入了不和與戰爭，這些所有只是痛苦的起因。我們被指定為弘法者的青年佛教弟子，可以走進這些人們中間，特別是走進年青人中間，以令他們從實利主義的虛幻中解脫出來，這實利主義把他們囚禁在一個黑暗的洞穴裏，以致當有人告訴他們什麼是真理時，他們不能看到真實或理解它。這使命是充滿挑戰的，因為讓人們走錯路比讓他們遵循正道更容易。但我們必須團結為一，以執行這個在不論宗教、國家或地位的人之間，培養團結、和諧、人道、和平與平靜的性質的神聖任務。為了這使命，我們屬於上座部、大乘或金剛乘的所有人，都需要把自身投入到像世界佛教青年僧伽會一樣巨大會議所產生出的道途。

Conclusion:

Buddhist organizations of the world can join hands together to spread the importance of peace and harmony throughout the world to rescue humanity from the hand of evils such as violence, terrorism, depression, anarchy, disorder and others. We have to formulate a common mission, common vision and common plan to develop humanity for human development. Buddhist teachings, discussions on its topic, benefits of its implement should reach to common people through Buddhist organizations in easier language and methods so that all will understand it and follow the noble paths. With the help of light of Buddha's philosophy, we can develop humanity and human beings life.

結論

世界上的佛教組織可以聯手在整個世界裡，傳播和平與和諧的重要性，以在暴力、恐怖主義、壓抑、無法度、混亂等邪惡手中拯救人類。我們需要制定一個共同的使命，共同的視野和共同的計劃，為人類的發展開發人性。佛教教法、在其題目上的討論、對其實行的利益，應通過佛教組織，以更淺顯的語言和方法接觸人們，以令所有人也會明白它和追隨聖道。在佛陀的哲學的光照幫助下，我們可以發展人性和人類的生活。

Finally, I would like to wish all the best to all participates of 5th General Conference of WBSY and I wish from the core of my heart for the grand success of the conference in Hobart , Australia under the blessed care of Most Ven. Bhagawan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti whose dhammawork is spreading not only in Australia but throughout the world. Being a Bhikkhu from the birthplace of Buddha , Nepal , I am very proud to participate in this program and share my views here. We Nepalese people are also regarded as close relatives of Buddha and we share affection with any pious works conducted under Buddhism. It is a great pride for us to see and closely observe flourishing of WBSY among the various countries for a dhamma work like helping people obtain peace and harmony both in physical as well as spiritual world. Once again I wish for the success of this program and prosperity of all the participants.

最後，我希望祝願世界佛教青年僧伽會第五屆全體大會的參加者一切都好，我從心底處祝福，在最尊貴的薄伽梵智及維摩詰的加持照顧下，澳洲皞峇燈的大會重大成功。最尊貴的薄伽梵智及維摩詰的教法工作不單在澳洲，更在全世界傳播。作為一名在佛陀誕生地尼泊爾的比丘，我很自豪地參予這一計劃和在此分享我的見解。我們尼泊爾人也被視為是佛陀的親屬，我們共同分享任何在佛教之下作出的虔誠工作。能夠看到和近距離觀察世界佛教青年僧伽會在不同國家的發展，以幫助人們在物質以及精神世界中獲得和平與和諧的這一佛法工作，對我們而言是一個巨大的光榮。再一次的，我祝福這一計劃的成功和所有參加者事業昌盛。

Thank You.

謝謝您。

Yours in the Dhamma

您在法內的

Bhikkhu Tapassi Dhamma Shrestha

Tapassi Dhamma Shrestha比丘

President, WBSY Nepal Chapter

世界佛教青年僧伽會尼泊爾分部會長

Chief Abbot,  Ashoka Charumati Vihara

Ashoka Charumati Vihara主方丈