When the believers of the Western religions first started their missionary journey in China, they, based only on the rituals they saw and the teaching they ignored, accused the traditional religions (including Buddhism and Taoism) in China of idolatry. Even if the Nostra Aetate (1965), a Vatican declaration, emphasized understanding and respect for other religions, including Buddhism, and interfaith dialogue has continued since then, there are still a few believers of these monotheistics today insist on this superficial argument.
當西方宗教的信徒剛開始在中國傳教時，他們僅僅根據所看到的儀式，忽略了教義，便指責中國的傳統宗教（包括佛教和道教）為偶像崇拜。即使梵蒂岡的《Nostra Aetate》（1965）宣言強調了對包括佛教在內的其他宗教的理解和尊重，並且自那時以來宗教間對話一直在持續，但今天仍然有一些這些一神論的信徒堅持這種膚淺的論點。
According to Judaism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Christianity, "idolatry" is the worship of something or someone other than God, as if it were the god they follow. It was considered "worship of false gods" and prohibited by texts such as the Ten Commandments. In these monotheistic traditions, the worship of physical images or idols, and the existence of other divinities are considered problematic.
根據猶太教、天主教、東正教和基督教的說法，「偶像崇拜」是對上帝以外的某物或某人的崇拜，就像是他們所追隨的神一樣。這種被視為「崇拜假神」的做法被《十誡》等文本所禁止。在這些一神教傳統中，對實體圖像或偶像的崇拜，都被認為是有問題的。
Buddhists venerate all the material forms that refer to the Dharma of Buddhism, such as the icons of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, even the "wooden fishs" and prayer beads, as these objects remind the due belief of practitioners, and help them connect spiritually with ideas and qualities. However, it is not these objects worth me toworship, but the Buddha and those who achieved Buddhahood with perfect personality, virtue and wisdom. This is the same as the religions mentioned: they veneration (respect) but not worship of saints and icons.
佛教徒尊敬一切與佛法有關的物質，例如佛菩薩像，甚至「木魚」、念珠等，因為這些物品提醒著修行者應有的信仰，幫助他們在精神上與觀念相聯繫。然而，值得我敬拜的不是這些東西，而是佛陀以及具有圓滿人格、德智的成佛者。這與上述的宗教相同：他們崇敬（尊重）但不崇拜聖人和聖像。
The Diamond Sutra, and the (Sixth Patriarch's) Altar Sutra, are significant Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, teaches wisdom that cuts through illusions that include idolarty and meaningless attachment. The Diamond Sutra has clearly pointed out that it is the wrong way if a person contemplates the Tathagata through any appearances of matter (physical substance) or means of voice. This issue is also metaphorically mentioned in the Altar Sutra. Both sutra prove that Buddhism never promotes idolatry but emphasizes understanding reality beyond material forms. The focus of Buddhist's practice are the Integration of Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path with life, and the realization of enlightenment through inner transformation.
《金剛經》和《六祖壇經》都是重要的大乘佛教經典，教導我們斷除偶像崇拜和無意義執著等幻象的智慧。 《金剛經》明確指出，如果以任何色相、聲音的方式來觀照如來，那都是邪道。這問題在《壇經》中也有隱喻性的提及。這兩部經都證佛教從不宣揚偶像崇拜，而是強調理解物質形式以外的現實。佛教修行的重點是將四聖諦和八正道與生命融為一體，透過內在的轉化來證悟。
Besides worshiping the Buddha and venerating the material forms which are the symbol of Buddhism, I also pay my respect to the followers of other orthodox religions. They contribute to the purification of the world when they practice the relevant teachings in their lives. This is one of the goals they share with all Buddhists.
除了禮拜佛及尊敬像徵佛教的東西外，我也向其他正信宗教的信徒表示敬意。當他們在生活中實踐相關教義時，他們為淨化世界做出了貢獻。這是他們與所有佛教徒共同的目標之一。
No comments:
Post a Comment