Development of Sangha Community

僧团的发展：

The Sangha community, in the course of time, evolved themselves into several sects, many of whom, while adhering to some major precepts as laid down by he Buddha, had, however, tended to ignore some of the minor rules. The Theravada sect appeared to be more orthodox, while the Mahayana and some other sects tended to be more liberal in their outlook and religious observances. The Theravada sect tried to observe the Vinaya to the very letter despite of changing circumstances and environment. Minor changes of the precepts had, however, taken place from time to time, but were not officially recognized even amongst the members of the Theravada sect. For instance, we can look at the rule regarding the partaking of food after the stipulated time of the day. The Theravada sect has not openly acknowledged the fact that certain variations could be allowed under special circumstances. Whilst members of other schools adapt themselves to the wearing of robes with appropriate colour and pattern, the Theravada sect has continued to adhere to the use of the original robes that were traditionally prescribed despite the changed social and climatic conditions. Many of practices of the monkhood are clearly understood only by those who are born into traditional Buddhist cultures.

僧团是经过长时期，由小到大，不断的自我约束、自我发展，最后，才在印度正式成立的。佛陀为僧团制定了很多戒条，也曾经想舍弃一些「小小戒」。上座部佛教是僧团的代表，大众部和其它部派却显得太放任了。上座部佛教是唯一严格遵循传统僧团戒律的佛教部派。上座部没有明确的规定，在什么情况下，可以暂时舍弃哪些戒条。其他部派的僧人，穿颜色和式样不一的袈裟，上座部僧众却坚持穿着传统的橙黄色袈裟。这些僧人都清楚的理解，唯有接受传统的佛教文化，对圣道才能有所成就。

At the other extreme, there are some monks who insist on observing the very letter of the Vinaya code rather than in its spirit, even though such action would embarrass the people around them. For example, more and more Buddhist monks are being invited to western countries where the culture of the people and the climatic conditions are so vastly different from that in Asia, but which could be regarded as strange and exotic elsewhere. Here again the monk must apply his common sense and try not to make a mockery of himself in the eyes of the people. The important rule to be observed is that no immoral, cruel, harmful and indecent acts are created and that the sensitivities of others are respected. If the monks can lead their lives as hones, kind, harmless and understanding human beings by maintaining their human dignity and disciplines, then such qualities will be appreciated in any part of the world. Maintaining the so-called traditions and customs of their respective countries of origin have little to do with the essence of the Dhamma as taught by the Buddha.

在另一方面，某些僧人却认真的研究每一条戒律及它的精神，通过这些研究，他们吸引了很多的信众。越来越多的僧人被邀请到社会习尚、文化与东方截然不同的西方国家去弘法，这当然也不排除他们只是对外来的文化的好奇，僧众也必须以自己的智慧来断定他们是不是被愚弄。戒律的宗旨在于消除不道德、残忍、伤害及防止一些下流与敏感的问题。如果一名僧人能自我节制，过着诚实、慈善、不伤害，及了解人类是以高尚的品质和道德为生存的目的，他们这种品质，无论在什么地方都会受到欢迎。佛陀的教诲，就是要他们维护佛教传统和尊重自己所在的国家。

Then, there is another problem. Many people, especially those in the West who have accepted the Buddhist way of life, having read the Vinaya rules in the texts, think that the monks must follow all the rules in toto in any part of the world, in exactly the same manner as they were recorded in the texts. We must remember that some of these rules which were practised in Indian society 25 centuries ago are irrelevant even in Asia today. It must be clearly borne in mind that the Buddha instituted the rules only for the members of the Sangha community who lived in India, in fact in the region where He lived. Those monks never had any experience of the way of life in another country. Their main concern was with the spiritual development with the minimum of disruption and annoyance to the society where they lived. But if they lived today, they may experience many other new problems, if they strictly observe all the rules in a country where people cannot appreciate or understand them.

The disciplinary code for lay devotees show how a layman can live a virtuous and noble life without renouncing the worldly life. The Buddha's advice to lay people is contained in such discourses as the Mangala, Parabhava, Sigalovada, Vasala and Vygghapajja and many other discourses.

戒律引导信徒们过美好、神圣，同时不放弃世间的生活。佛陀鼓励信徒们多阅读经典，如：《吉祥经》《宝经》等。

Many Vinaya rules apply only to those who have renounced the worldly life. Of course a layman may follow some of the rules if they help him to develop greater spirituality.

很多戒律只对那些放弃世间生活的出家人有效。当然，这些出家人也必须根据戒律来发展最大的心灵力量。