What is Spiritual Practice 甚麼是修行

Many people think that spiritual practices are vegetarianism, scripture chanting, worshiping, doing charity work, opening up the meridians in the body, or even gaining supernatural abilities such as mind reading or future predicting. In fact, spiritual practice, briefly, is the effort to correct the deviations in one's thoughts, words and deeds. Spiritual practice is the act of achieving this goal through any reasonable means.

很多人以為修行就是吃素、念經、拜佛、做慈善、打通經絡，甚至是獲得讀心術、預知未來等超自然能力。其實修行，簡單來說，就是努力改正自己思想與言行上的偏差。修行是透過任何合理的手段來實現這一目標的行為。

The above-mentioned acts such as vegetarianism, scripture chanting and worshiping can indeed help to achieve peace and tranquility of mind and body. These are the methods of spiritual practice, but we should understand clearly that these are never the purpose. As for the gaining of supernatural abilities, as well as all the current conditions and the coming opportunities, based on the view of Buddhism, they depend on Karma (cause and effect, or the gradual improvement by one's own efforts).

上述的吃素、念經、拜佛等行為，確實能幫助達到身心的安寧。這些都是修行的方法，但是我們要清楚的了解，這些絕不是修行的目的。至於超自然能力的獲得，以及一切現在的境遇、及將來的機緣，按照佛教的觀點，都是依靠業力（因果，即靠自己的努力來逐漸改善）。

It is certainly a good start in spiritual practice with skill at reciting scriptures and worshiping. However, scripture chanting can not be beyond the understanding of it, and scripture understanding can not be beyond the implementation of it. The scriptures show us the methods of spiritual practice, and let us gain the benefits by our comprehension and implementation step by step. There is no benefit to blaming others' superficial efforts on spiritual practice, as this can not correct our thoughts, words and deeds.

熟練地誦讀經文和拜佛無疑是修行的一個好開始。但誦經不能超越對經文的理解，對經文的理解也不能超越對經文內容的實行。經典裡告訴我們修行的方法，讓我們透過一步一步的領悟與實踐來獲得利益。責怪別人在修行上所做的表面功夫是沒有好處的，因為這不能糾正我們的思想與言行。

We need to change our thoughts, words and deeds, that is, correct the bad habits of greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt. When getting along with others, in addition to being compassionate, tolerant, and forgiving of others' mistakes, you must also be able to use rationality and wisdom anytime and anywhere to resolve various solve problems. Therefore, a person with profound spiritual practice will not only benefit himself, his behavior will also benefit others.

我們要改變自己的思想、言語、行為，也就是改正貪、瞋、癡、慢、疑等不良習慣。與人相處時，除了要有同情心、寬容心、原諒別人的錯誤之外，還要能夠隨時隨地運用理性與智慧去解決各種問題。所以，一個修行深厚的人，不但自己會受益，他的行為也會讓別人受益。

Therefore, practicing is to completely change one's habits and make oneself a rational and wise person. It may not only bring us physical and mental well-being and helps to keep us calm in any adverse environment, but also help those around us develop their inner wisdom. This is the connotation of spiritual practice.

所以修行就是要徹底改變自己的習慣，使自己成為一個理性、有智慧的人。它不僅能為我們帶來身心健康，幫助我們在任何不利的環境中保持冷靜，還能幫助周遭的人發展內在的智慧。這就是修行的內涵。

Difficulties in studying Buddhism 學佛的難處

The purpose of Buddhism is to educate all sentient beings with compassion. The widespread spread of this belief was originally intended to make society more harmonious. However, many people give up their studying on Buddhism practice because it is difficult to understand. There are also some "believers" who have a "superstitious" mentality towards Buddhism and have not continued to develop their faith to the stage of "true faith". Why?

佛教的宗旨是以慈悲心來教育眾生。這個信仰的廣泛傳播，原本是為了讓社會更加和諧。然而，許多人因為佛法難以理解而放棄修行上的學習。還有一些「信徒」對佛教抱持著「迷信」心態，沒有將信仰繼續發展到「正信」階段。為什麼？

There are two most important obstacles encountered in the development of this religion: (1) Ancient scriptures from certain countries are still used to guide relatively complex doctrines, with few or no modern texts. And (2) The talk in the scriptures always mixes with the transcendental state and various realistic phenomena (problems and solutions encountered in life, Karma or Cause And Effect), but the principles of transcendence can only be understood by those who are enlightened.

該宗教的發展遇到兩個最重要的障礙：（1）仍然以某些國家的古代經文來指導相對複雜的教義，現代文本很少或根本沒有。(2) 經文中總是把超凡入聖的狀態和各種現實的現象（生活中遇到的問題和解決方法，業力或因果）混合在一起來討論，但超凡入聖的狀態只有已開悟的人才能理解。

Let's start with the text and escape the principle of transcendence. According to linguistics, every language is constantly changing, some new words are created, and some words are eliminated or given other words or meanings. Therefore, it is difficult for modern people to understand the contents written in ancient texts hundreds or even thousands of years ago, even if these contents are the product of the same culture. Thus, processing profound philosophical education with untimely words will cause serious problems with understanding, and it will destroy many people’s willingness to learn.

這裡先從文字文本入手，暫時不論超凡入聖的狀態。根據語言學，每種語言都在不斷變化，一些新詞被創造出來，一些詞被消除或被賦予其他詞義或含義。因此，現代人很難理解數百年甚至數千年前的古代文本中所寫的內容，即使這些內容是同一文化的產物。所以，用不合時宜的話語來進行高深的哲學教育，會造成嚴重的理解問題，也會摧毀許多人的學習意願。

The most complete Buddhist connotations are preserved in Sanskrit, classical Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist classics. If these Buddhist scriptures could be translated into modern languages through intralingual translation, the development of this belief would be better. Although this act may not allow unenlightened people to understand the principles of transcendence, it can make more people enlightened. Of course, it would be better if interlingual translation could be done at the same time.

梵文、漢文和藏傳佛教經典中保存了最完整的佛教內涵。如果這些佛經能夠透過語內翻譯的方式翻譯成現代語言，這種信仰的發展會更好。雖然這個舉動可能無法讓未開悟的人了解超凡入聖的狀態，但它可以讓更多的人開悟。當然，如果能同時進行跨語言翻譯就更好了。

Furthermore, through Buddhist scriptures, we should know that the Buddha often pointed out that any words, language, and expressions can be used to express his teaching, and noticed us not to be obsessed with the form of words. Therefore, the dissemination of Buddhism must keep pace with the times. The various expressions and dissemination methods that everyone can understand and that are popular among the public can be applied, including producing animations, cartoons and comics of Buddhist stories, filling in the lyrics with scriptures, Dharma talks on the Internet, multilingual forums of Buddhism on TV...

再者，透過佛教經典，我們應該知道，佛陀經常指出任何文字、語言、表達方式都可以用來表達他的教義，並告誡我們不要執著於文字的形式。因此，佛教的傳播必須與時俱進，可以採用大家都能理解的、大眾流行的各種表現形式和傳播方式，包括製作佛教故事的動畫、漫畫、漫畫，在歌詞中填入經典、網上佛法開示、電視多語種佛教論壇…

 The purpose of Buddhism is to educate all sentient beings with compassion. The widespread spread of this belief was originally intended to make society more harmonious. However, many people give up their studying on Buddhism practice because it is difficult to understand. There are also some "believers" who have a "superstitious" mentality towards Buddhism and have not continued to develop their faith to the stage of "true faith". Why?

佛教的宗旨是以慈悲心來教育眾生。這個信仰的廣泛傳播，原本是為了讓社會更加和諧。然而，許多人因為佛法難以理解而放棄修行上的學習。還有一些「信徒」對佛教抱持著「迷信」心態，沒有將信仰繼續發展到「正信」階段。為什麼？

There are two most important obstacles encountered in the development of this religion: (1) Ancient scriptures from certain countries are still used to guide relatively complex doctrines, with few or no modern texts. And (2) The talk in the scriptures always mixes with the principles of transcendental and various realistic phenomena (problems and solutions encountered in life, Karma or Cause And Effect), but the principles of transcendence can only be understood by those who are enlightened.

該宗教的發展遇到兩個最重要的障礙：（1）仍然以某些國家的古代經文來指導相對複雜的教義，現代文本很少或根本沒有。(2) 經文中總是把超凡入聖的原則和各種現實的現象（生活中遇到的問題和解決方法，業力或因果）混合在一起來討論，但超凡入聖的原則只有已開悟的人才能理解。

Let's start with the text and escape the principle of transcendence. According to linguistics, every language is constantly changing, some new words are created, and some words are eliminated or given other words or meanings. Therefore, it is difficult for modern people to understand the contents written in ancient texts hundreds or even thousands of years ago, even if these contents are the product of the same culture. Thus, processing profound philosophical education with untimely words will cause serious problems with understanding, and it will destroy many people’s willingness to learn.

這裡先從文字文本入手，暫時不論超凡入聖的原則。根據語言學，每種語言都在不斷變化，一些新詞被創造出來，一些詞被消除或被賦予其他詞或含義。因此，現代人很難理解數百年甚至數千年前的古代文本中所寫的內容，即使這些內容是同一文化的產物。所以，用不合時宜的話語來進行高深的哲學教育，會造成嚴重的理解問題，也會摧毀許多人的學習意願。

The most complete Buddhist connotations are preserved in Sanskrit, classical Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist classics. If these Buddhist scriptures could be translated into modern languages through intralingual translation, the development of this belief would be better. Although this act may not allow unenlightened people to understand the principles of transcendence, it can make more people enlightened. Of course, it would be better if interlingual translation could be done at the same time.

梵文、漢文和藏傳佛教經典中保存了最完整的佛教內涵。如果這些佛經能夠透過語內翻譯的方式翻譯成現代語言，這種信仰的發展會更好。雖然這個舉動可能無法讓未開悟的人了解超凡入聖的原則，但它可以讓更多的人開悟。當然，如果能同時進行跨語言翻譯就更好了。

Furthermore, through Buddhist scriptures, we should know that the Buddha often pointed out that any words, language, and expressions can be used to express his teaching, and noticed us not to be obsessed with the form of words. Therefore, the dissemination of Buddhism must keep pace with the times. The various expressions and dissemination methods that everyone can understand and that are popular among the public can be applied, including producing animations, cartoons and comics of Buddhist stories, filling in the lyrics with scriptures, Dharma talks on the Internet, multilingual forums of Buddhism on TV...
再者，透過佛教經典，我們應該知道，佛陀經常指出任何文字、語言、表達方式都可以用來表達他的教義，並告誡我們不要執著於文字的形式。因此，佛教的傳播必須與時俱進，可以採用大家都能理解的、大眾流行的各種表現形式和傳播方式，包括製作佛教故事的動畫、漫畫、漫畫，在歌詞中填入經典、網上佛法開示、電視多語種佛教論壇…