南傳佛教與大乘佛教 Theravada and Mahayana

佛教有兩個主要分支：南傳佛教側重於通過修行實現個人證悟和解脫，而大乘佛教則側重於實現個人和有緣眾生的開悟。這兩個分支在某些方面有所不同，但它們具有共同的基礎。

There are two main branches of Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism focuses on achieving personal enlightenment and liberation through practice, while Mahayana Buddhism focuses on achieving enlightenment of both personal and related sentient beings. The two branches differ in some ways, but they share a common foundation.

南傳佛教一般以釋迦牟尼佛為領袖。他是引導弟子證悟的老師，也是唯一證得圓滿證悟的人。因此，他們嚴格遵守佛陀所製定的戒律和指引，幾乎不能做出任何形式的修改。另一方面，大乘佛教認為，釋迦牟尼是不同時空無數諸佛之一，不同的佛會提出既不違背正念、又能因應不同的環境靈活應對的教法。所以，大乘佛教的戒律和指引會因應不同的地域和環境而略有調整。

Theravada Buddhism generally regards Sakyamuni Buddha as the leader. He is the teacher who guides his disciples to enlightenment, and the only person who has achieved perfect enlightenment. Therefore, they strictly follow the precepts and guidance set by the Buddha and can hardly make any form of modification. On the other hand, Mahayana Buddhism believes that Sakyamuni is one of countless Buddhas in
different times and space, and the different Buddhas will propose teaching methods that do not violate mindfulness but can flex respond to the different situations they are in. So, the precepts and guidance of Mahayana Buddhism will be slightly adjusted in response to different areas and environments.

南傳佛教注重通過自我修行來成就“阿羅漢”（一種解脫的狀態，在這狀態下，所有的業力都已被補償或抵消，無需擔心新的業力因清淨而穩定的心而產生，因此沒有精神上的負擔。這也是衡量佛法修行成就的基本標準）。他們很少主動介入別人的事情，只能給有緣的人建議或祝福，因為他們注意到因果報應是無法由別人來抵銷的。 不過，大乘佛教注重通過修行“菩薩道”（將對他人的積極關心融入到實踐中）來實現最終的佛果。 他們認為，增加自己福祉或減少業力痛苦的另一個方法是在力所能及的範圍內幫助他人，儘管這種努力可能無法完全抵消自己的業力。

Theravada Buddhism focuses on the achievement of "Arahant" (a state of liberation in which all karma has been compensated or offset, and no need to worry about new karma being created by a pure and stable mind, so there is no mental burden. It is also the basic standard for measuring the achievements of Buddhist practice) by self-practice. They rarely take the initiative to intervene in other people's affairs, they can only give advice or blessings to those who are associated, as they have noticed that Karma cannot be compensated by others. However, Mahayana Buddhism focuses on the achievement of final Buddhahood  by practising the "Bodhisattva way" (incorporating active concern for others into practice). They believe that another way of practice might increase their own blessings or reduce the suffering of karma is to help others as much as possible within their abilities,  even though such efforts may not completely offset their own karma.

南傳佛教提倡三學（戒、定、慧）、四聖諦、四念處、八聖道（我之前的文章有簡單介紹）、禪宗（佛教正念禪修）。 這些科目有助於糾正個人在思想、言語和行為上的問題。 大乘佛教除南傳佛教的科目外，還包括與慈悲行為有關的科目，如四受德、六波羅蜜（布施、持戒、忍辱、精進、禪宗、般若）等。

Theravada Buddhism advocates the Three Studies (precepts, samadhi, and wisdom), the Four Noble Truths, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Noble Eightfold Path (a brief introduce at my article before), and Zen (meditation with Buddhism mindfulness).  These subject help with correcting individual problems in thinking, words and deeds. Mahayana Buddhism, in addition to the subjects according to Theravada Buddhism, also include subjects related to compassion behavior, such as the Four Embracing Virtues and the Six perfections (giving, keeping precepts, patience, diligence, Zen, and prajna).

在教義上，南傳佛教普遍主張“空性”，認為一切主觀感受和客觀現像都只是暫時的，都會成為過去。 大乘佛教進一步認為，“空性”是以“緣起”為基礎的，即一切“法”（感受、事物、現像等）都是條件(因緣)充足而形成，條件不足而消散。因此，一切現像都是幻相。

In terms of doctrine, Theravada Buddhism generally advocates "emptiness" and believes that all subjective feelings and objective phenomena are only temporary and will become the past. Mahayana Buddhism further believes that "emptiness" is based on "dependent origination", that is, all "dharmas" (feelings, things, phenomena, etc.) are formed by the sufficient of causes and conditions, and dismissed when insufficient. Therefore all appearances are illusions.

南傳佛教和大乘佛教在歷史上都為佛教的豐富遺產做出了重大貢獻。 雖然他們在修行、證悟等方面可能有不同的做法（例如南傳可能認為中國僧侶“必須”吃素是違戒的表現之一，但從大乘的角度和歷史淵源來看） （在中國，這是慈悲的體現。而且，佛並沒有禁止我們吃素），但他們最終有一個共同的願望：脫離痛苦。

Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism has historically contributed significantly to the rich heritage of Buddhism. Although they may have different approaches to spiritual development, attainment of enlightenment, and other aspects (for example, Theravada may consider that Chinese monks "must" be vegetarians is one of the performence of against the precepts, but from the Mahayana perspective and historical origin, it is a manifestation of compassion in China. Furthermore, Buddha did not prohibit us from being vegetarian), but they ultimately have a common desire: to be freed from suffering.

這兩個分支都有其優點和缺點。 我們不需要也不應該為了支持一方而批評對方，批評只會給我們帶來麻煩。 我們可以簡單地按照自己選擇的一方的指導方針進行練習，同時適當地引用對方的長處。 請注意，我們修行的目的是從痛苦中解脫出來，而不是被囚禁在我們自招的煩惱之中。

Both branches has its advantages and disadvantages. We don't need and should not criticize the other in order to support one, criticism will only bring us trouble. We may simply do our practice according to the guidelines of the side we choose, and appropriately cite the strengths of the other side at the same time. Be noticed, the aim of our practice is to be freed from suffering, but not be imprisoned in the troubles we inflicted.