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自我囚禁 Man is His Own Jailor
 
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Man is His Own Jailor

自我囚禁

Is there any truth in man'sclaim that he should be given freedom to do things as he likes?

人类真的能宣称他拥有随心所欲的自由吗?

When we consider human freedom, it is very difficult to find out whether man is really free to do anything according to his own wishes. Man is bound by many conditions both external and internal; he is asked to obey the laws that are imposed on him by the government; he is bound to follow certain religious principles; he is required to co-operate with the moral and social conditions of the society in which he lives; he is compelled to follow certain national and family customs and traditions. In modern society, he in inclined to disagree with life; he is expected to conform by adapting himself to the modern way of life. he is bound to co-operate with natural laws and cosmic energy, because he is also part of the same energy. He is subjected to the weather and climatic conditions of the region. Not only does he have to pay attention to his life or to physical elements, but he has also to make up his mind to control his own emotions. In other words, he has no freedom to think freely because he is overwhelmed by new thoughts which may contradict or do away with his previous thoughts and convictions. At the same time, he may believe that he has to obey and work according to the will of god, and not follow his own free-will.

当我们考虑到人类的自由时,我们很难肯定人类是否有自由去做一些自己想做的事。人类受困于种种内在或外缘的因素,他必须遵守政府制定的律法,符合社会道德的规范,民族或家族的传统,和特定的宗教原则。在现代社会里,很多人都有不满足于生活的倾向,而社会却希望他能调整自己,适应目前的生活方式。人类受制于宇宙的自然定律,因为他也属于这其中的一部份。人类受制于区域性或气候性,他不但要注意心理或生理的因素,还要努力克服自己的情绪。换句话说,他无法自由的去思考,因为新的思考所表现的是抵触或推翻旧有的思想和信心。同时,有些人相信,人类应该根据「神」的旨意去做,而不是按照自己的意识去做。

Taking into consideration all the above changing conditions to which man is bound, we can ask 'Is there any truth in man's claim that he should be given freedom to do things as he likes?'

Why does man have his hands tied so firmly? The reason is that there are various bad elements within man. These elements are dangerous and harmful to all living creatures. For the past few thousand years, all religions have been trying to tame this unreliable attitude of man and to teach him how to live a noble life. But it is most unfortunate that man is still not ready to be trustworthy, however good he may appear to be.

Man still continues to harbor all these evil elements within himself. These evil elements are not introduced or influenced by external sources but are created by man himself. If these evil forces are man-made, then man himself must work hard to get rid of them after realizing their danger. Unfortunately the majority of men are cruel, cunning, wicked, ungrateful, unreliable, unscrupulous. If man is allowed to live according to his own free-will without moderation and restraint, he would most definitely violate the peace and happiness of innocent people. His behavior would probably be much worse than that of dangerous living beings. Religion is required to train him to lead a respectable life and to gain peace and happiness here and hereafter.

考虑到以上种种问题,我们不禁要问:「人类真的能宣称他拥有随心所欲的自由吗?」为什么人类要牢牢的系缚自己的双手?这是因为人类有太多的不良因素存在,而这些因素会对一切众生造成伤害和危险。数千年来,所有的宗教都想驯服人类的态度,并教导人类不伤害一切生命的生活。但是,很不幸的,人类还是不可信赖,人类仍然沉缅于内心的不良因素。这些不良因素,并非外力的牵引、介入或影响,而是人类自己造就的。如果说,这些邪恶的力量是人为的,人类就有责任透过自己的努力,来了解它的危险性,并清楚这些不良的因素。可是,人类继续他的残酷、狡猾、暴戾、邪恶、多疑、狂妄和充满伤害的行为。如果,像这样的人能完全不受限制,而按照自己自由意识去生活的话,那么,他们行为所造成的危险性,比凶残的动物还要来得可怕。在这种情况下,宗教道德更加重要了,宗教指导人类如何过幸福的生活和面对和平与死亡。

Another obstacle confronting religious life and spiritual progress is racial arrogance. The Buddha advised His followers not to bring forward any racial issue when they come to practise religion. Buddhists are taught to sink their own racial origin and caste or class distinction. People of all religions should not discriminate against any groups of people by bringing forward their personal traditional way of life. They should treat everyone equally, especially in the religious field. Unfortunately, followers of different religions create more discriminations and hostility towards other religious groups when performing their religious activities.

另一种造成宗教和精神进展的障碍是民族的自大性。佛陀教导弟子不要炫耀自己尊贵的种姓,而应降低自己的阶级来和下层的群众打成一片。所有的宗教人士,不应该以过去他们自身的文化或生活方式,歧视其他的宗教弟兄,他们必须以平等心待人,尤其是在宗教圈子里。但是,很不幸的是,不同的宗教都以各自的虚荣感来弘扬自己的宗教。

While working others, they should not disturb their feelings because of their so-called traditions and customs. They can follow traditions and customs that are in keeping with the religious principles and moral codes of their religions.

当帮助他人或与他人一起工作时,不应该以自己的传统而骚扰他人的感受。要顺从一切宗教的原则,以宗教道德协调一切传统的风俗习尚。

Racial arrogance is a great hindrance to religion and spiritual progress. The Buddha once used the simile of ocean water to illustrate the harmony which can be experienced by people who have learnt to cast aside their racial arrogance: Different rivers have different names. The water of the individual rivers all flow into the ocean and become ocean water. In a similar manner, all those who have come from different communities and different castes, must forget their differences and think of themselves only as human beings.

民族自大是宗教和精神进展的障碍。有一回,佛陀以海水为比喻,说明了这件事。如果每一个人都能抛开他的民族自大感,这有如河水,虽然它们有各自不同的名称,但是,都同样汇流到大海而成为海洋。同样的,不同背景的民族或来自不同社群的种族,我们不需要理会他们的差别,只需要知道他们是人类就够了。


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