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弘揚佛法，人人有責
一九九○年十月六日開示於英國ＡＢＣ佛教中心
法界佛教總會、法界佛教大學，第五次國際弘法訪問團，首次赴歐洲弘揚佛法，於一九九○年十月底返美。在約一個月的弘法行程裏，遍至英國、比利時、波蘭及法國等地。弘法團所到之處，總是以直心將佛教真理說出。
宣公上人為續佛慧命，令正法久住於世，在歐洲倡導南、北傳佛教應該團結統一，同時也要攝受其他宗教；並且大聲疾呼世人必須重視教育問題，唯有從學校教育上著手，才是救人救世的靈藥；又為荷擔如來家業，廣徵譯經人才至萬佛聖城。國際譯經院，共同將三藏經典翻譯成世界各國語文，讓佛法滋潤人心，普攝群機。上人悲願弘誓之深，高德懿行之廣，令當地人士無不受其感召，而五體投地。上人又視眾生根性，觀機逗教，因人說法，在歐洲作了二十多場講演及開示，今整理成書出版，名為「歐洲弘法記」。
我到甚麼地方，都是和聖城一樣，沒有甚麼分別，因為我們跟法界都是一體的；今天有此千載難逢的機緣到這裏來，我心裏非常歡喜。佛說一切法，為對一切眾生機，因此，無論南傳、北傳都是要為眾生發菩提心，了生脫死，離苦得樂。大家應該明白真正的佛教，而不要說你們不是正宗佛教，我才是正宗的佛教，這樣自殘骨肉，對佛教本身沒有益處。所以我們要溝通南、北傳佛教，使團結融合為一，南傳也不要盡往南走，北傳也不要盡往北走，大家都應往中湊合，因為南、北傳皆是佛的弟子、佛的子孫。不要你做你的、我做我的，分門別戶，把佛教的力量都給分散了。
我一出家的時候，就研究為甚麼佛教的義理這麼圓滿？但世界上學佛的人卻那麼少，是甚麼原因呢？研究之後，我才發覺這就是因為——佛教的經典沒有翻譯成各國的語言文字，所以不能普及世界各地。不像天主教、耶穌教，他們將一本《聖經》翻譯成各國的文字，每一個國家的人，一看就懂了。所以我出家時發願，雖然我不懂外文，但我也要將佛教的經典，翻譯成各國的文字。這是我的願力，可是直到現在還沒有完成達到，只是繼續不斷地往這個目標走。希望各國志同道合的人，不妨站到一起，共同努力來完成這項重要的工作。
待續
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Propagation of the Buddhadharma Is Everyone's Responsibility
A talk given on October 6, 1990,at the Amaravati Buddhist Centre in England In 1990, the Fifth International Delegation of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and the Dharma Realm Buddhist University made its first European tour to propagate the Buddhadharma. The delegation returned to the United States at the end of October 1990, after a month-long tour which included visits to England, Belgium, Poland, and France. Wherever the delegation went, its members sincerely and straightforwardly explained the true principles of Buddhism.
In order to perpetuate the heritage of the Buddha's wisdom and cause the Proper Dharma to last long in the world, the Venerable Master Hua advocated to his European audiences that the northern and southern traditions of Buddhism unite and draw in other religions as well. He exhorted people to pay attention to the problems of education, for it is only by reforming education that we can hope to save the world and its people. For the sake of carrying on the Buddha's work, he invited aspiring translators to come to the International Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas and cooperate in translating the entire Tripitaka (Buddhist canon) into all the world's languages. That would enable the Buddhadharma to nourish people's minds and draw in all beings.
The Venerable Master's vast and deeply compassionate vows, his lofty virtue, and his extensive practices won the respect of people wherever he went. The Master observed people's needs and dispositions and taught them accordingly. This volume, Dharma Talks in Europe, is a compilation of the more than twenty talks and lectures that he gave in Europe.
Wherever I go, it's the same as being at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. There isn't any difference. That's because we are of the same substance as the Dharma Realm. I am extremely happy to have the rare opportunity to come here today. The Buddha spoke all Dharmas in response to the needs and potentials of living beings. Therefore, whether we are of the northern or the southern tradition, we should bring forth the Bodhi resolve to help living beings end birth and death, leave suffering, and attain happiness. Everyone should understand the genuine teachings of the Buddha. We shouldn't say, "We represent orthodox Buddhism and you don't." If we inflict harm upon ourselves like that, it's of no benefit to Buddhism. We want to establish communication between the northern and southern traditions of Buddhism, causing them to unite and merge into one. The southern tradition shouldn't keep going south, and the northern tradition shouldn't keep going north. Everyone should meet in the middle, because northern and southern Buddhists are all disciples of the Buddha. It shouldn't be that you do your thing, and we do ours, so that the strength of Buddhism gets dispersed into different sects.
When I first left the home-life, I looked into why it was that although the doctrines of Buddhism are so perfect and complete, there are so few people in the world who study them. What was the reason for this? After looking into it, I discovered that it was because the Buddhist scriptures have not yet been translated into the languages of every nation. That is why Buddhism has not become widespread in the world. We have not done like the Catholics and Protestants, who have translated the Bible into every language, so that the people of all nations can understand it as soon as they read it. And so when I left the home-life, I vowed that although I did not know any foreign languages, I wanted to see the Buddhist scriptures translated into every language. Up to this day my vow has not completely been fulfilled, but I am continuing to walk in this direction. If there are people who share the same wish, no matter what country you come from, I hope you will stand together with us and work with us to accomplish this important project.
To be continued |
