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2013年9月29日 星期日

耆那教經典語譯分享《Uttaradhyayana 23》


耆那教經典語譯分享《Uttaradhyayana 23》

   耆那教(Jainism)與佛教(Buddhism)的發展及彼此的交互影響非常親密,二者均可視為對婆羅門教過於重視種姓制度的改革運動。由於耆那教 的興起、發展過程與佛教有大量重疊及相似處,在宗教術語及部分教義亦甚為接近,因此在彼此有相當程度的的交流及互染,甚至影響了後來大乘佛教的發展及教義。

  耆那 Jina原意「生命痛苦的征服者」,相傳原有24位祖師,最早的創始人名勒舍婆。目前有歷史記載的是二十三祖巴濕伐那陀和二十四祖筏馱摩那。摩訶毗羅 (Vardhamana Mahavira)被視作耆那教的改革者,他的俗家背景與佛教的創始者釋迦牟尼幾乎雷同,同樣是古印度恆河流域的一小國的王子(甚至連妻子都同名耶輸陀 羅),30歲出家苦修,在外雲遊12年而證悟,認為任何眾生都有自己的一個靈魂,解脫靈魂的唯一辦法就是遠離物質(接近現在多數人對空的認知)。

   耆那教基本教義為業報輪迴、靈魂解脫、和平及苦行主義等。並倡導眾生平等、全素食乃至不食、嚴禁殺生,且應積極愛眾生。耆那教認為輪迴之因乃由於業而有 所繫縛。若欲脫離輪迴則須嚴守不傷害、不妄語、不偷盜、不淫、無所得等五戒活,令業消失而顯本性,到達止滅,即得解脫、涅槃。由耆那教之聖典綜觀其教理特 徵,概屬於一種出家解脫主義之宗教,與佛教同出一源,然其後之教理發展迥異於佛教者,乃在「自性」的差異。

  據耆那教文獻《聖行 經》記載﹐大雄逝世時已有教徒52萬多人。到公元前3世紀耆那教和佛教都受到孔雀王朝阿育王的支持和保護。耆那教聖典於西元前3世紀於華氏城 (Pātaliputra)結集,約西元4-5世紀又於伐拉彼(Valabhī)第二次結集,始呈今日之面目。

耆那教經典中譯:《Uttaradhyayana 23》

  有一位勝者(Jina),名叫脅(Parshva,注釋1),是位阿羅漢(Arhat),受人們所景仰,全然的覺悟與全知,法的先知與勝者。

   有位世界之光的名弟子,年輕的沙門(Sramana)──迦尸(Kesi),完整的精通科學與正業。他擁有聞智(Sruta)與自覺智(Avadhi) 的光芒,受信徒所擁戴,一個村落一個村落的遊行,他來到了舍衛城(Sravasti)。城中有個園子稱作鎮頭迦(Tinduka),他住於此園清靜處。

  此時有位法的先知、勝者,就是舉世聞名的尊者筏馱摩那(Vardhamana;耆那教教主大雄)。有位世界之光的名弟子尊者瞿曇 (Gautama),他具備完整的精通科學與正業。他通曉十二安伽(Angas)與覺悟,受信徒所擁戴,一個村落一個村落的遊行,他來到了舍衛城。城中有 個園子稱作Koshthaka,他住於此園清靜處。

  年輕的沙門迦尸與著名的瞿曇皆住於此,守護與自律。雙方的弟子們皆自治、苦行,他們持守規範,保護「自我」,並如此深思:

  「我們的法是正確的呢?還是對方的法才是正確的?我們的教導與教義是正確的呢,還是對方的才是正確的?偉大聖賢脅尊者只教導四戒,但是尊者筏馱摩那卻說五戒?有教法禁止僧人穿衣,卻也有教法准許僧人穿上衣與下衣?雙方追求的目標相同,那是什麼造成這些分歧?」

  瞭解彼此弟子們如此的想法,迦尸與瞿曇皆決定與對方碰面。
  瞿曇知道哪些對於舊教團是正確的、哪些是合適的,來到了鎮頭迦園,伴隨著信徒與第子們。
  當年輕的僧人迦尸見到瞿曇的到來,他接待瞿曇並給予合宜的照料。立即使用四種稻草與乾草位瞿曇鋪了個座位。
   年輕的沙門迦尸與著名的瞿曇併坐,發出的榮光猶如日月。出於好奇,周圍聚集了許多異教徒與數千在家眾。天人、檀那婆(Danava)、乾達婆 (Gandharva)、夜叉(Yaksha)、羅剎(Rakshasa)、緊那羅(Kinnara)等等聚集在此,也來了許多看不到的鬼眾。

  迦尸對瞿曇說:
  「聖人,我想問您一些問題。」聽了迦尸的話,瞿曇如此回應:「先生,儘管問吧。」

  因受到瞿曇的准許,迦尸便問瞿曇:「偉大聖賢脅尊者只教導四戒,但是尊者筏馱摩那卻說五戒,雙方追求的目標相同,那是什麼造成這些分歧?智者您難道都不擔憂這兩個有衝突的教法嗎?」
   聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「智慧會讓人知道法的真意與確切的真理。從前一位聖人的追隨者簡單但是理解慢,後一位聖人的追求者猶疑與理解慢,對於這 兩類人,因而有兩種教法。前者只是較難理解戒律,後者只是較難觀察戒律,但彼此之間其實是容易觀察與理解的。(注釋2)

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。尊者筏馱摩那的教法禁止穿衣,但是偉大聖賢脅尊者卻准許第子穿上衣與下衣。雙方追求的目標相同,那是什麼造成這些分歧?智者您難道都不擔憂這兩個有衝突的教法嗎?」
   聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「取決於他們無上的智慧,渡津者(Tirthakara)對於不同需求者而修訂教法,對於修習者來說,眾多的表象只是為 了讓人知曉這些外在事物對於宗教的修習是無用的。渡津者的建議是正知、正信與正業,這些是通往最終解脫的正因,而非外相。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。瞿曇,您立於數以千計攻擊您的敵人之中,您是如何征服他們的呢?」
  瞿曇:「征服一個,就征服五個;征服五個,就征服十個;以如此的戰勝法,我征服了所有的敵人。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱誰為敵人?」
   聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「『自我』是那一個頑強的敵人,伴隨著其他四個根本的嗔(anger)、慢(pride)、誑(deceit)、貪 (greed),就是五個敵人;再加上五根(眼耳鼻舌身)就是十個敵人。這些敵人,喔!偉大的聖賢,我持續的征服他們。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。我們見到這個世界的許多眾生們被束縛羈絆,而您是如何擺脫這些束縛而獲得自由,喔聖賢?」
  瞿曇:「剷除所有的束縛,以正確的方法摧毀它們,我因此擺脫這些束縛與獲得自由。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱什麼為束縛?」
  聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「愛、憎恨等等皆是沉重的束縛,其中染著(attachment)是最危險的一個;持續的摧毀它們,我依正業而活。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。喔!瞿曇,在內心的最深處長了一株植物,它會結出具毒的果實,您是如何的拔除它呢?」
  瞿曇:「我已經全然的剪除那棵植物,並且將其連根拔起,我因此擺脫具毒的果實。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱那植物為何?」
  聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「對於存在的渴愛是那會結出具毒果實的可怕植物,持續的拔除它,我因此過著愉悅的生活。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。瞿曇,有一令人懼怕的烈焰熾燃一切有形眾生,您是如何的熄滅它?」
  瞿曇:「自河裡取水,那殊勝的水,來自天上的大雲,我總是將它澆灌在我身上,因此這烈焰燒不了我。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱那烈焰為何?」
  聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「嗔、慢、誑、貪是那烈焰;正知、正業與懺悔是那水;以正知之水澆灌,嗔、慢、誑、貪等烈焰將被熄滅且不再燒傷我。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。瞿曇,您乘坐的那匹難以駕馭的、可怕的野馬,您是如何調伏它,讓它不會狂奔?」
  瞿曇:「我以知識的馬勒控制它的路線,使它不會偏離路線而行在正道之上。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱那匹馬為何?」
  聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「心就是那匹難以駕馭的、可怕的野馬,我以戒律來調伏,使它成為一匹訓練有素的犍陡神駒(Kanthaka)。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。這個世界充滿許多領人迷途的岔路,瞿曇您是如何避免踏上這些歧途而迷失方向呢?」
  瞿曇:「哪些人行於正道、哪些人步上歧途,他們全都被我所知曉;我因此不會迷失方向,喔聖賢。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱那道路為何?」
  聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「外道與異教徒都踏上了歧途;正道是勝者們所教導的,是最殊勝的一條道路。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。對於那些受大洪流所苦的眾生們來說,他們是否有個庇護所、避難處、堅固的地基可以依靠?喔瞿曇,您知道這樣的一個小島嗎?」
  瞿曇:「在大水的正中央有個巨大的島嶼,它不受大洪流所侵犯。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱那島嶼為何?」
  聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「老與死是那沖走眾生的洪流;法就是那島嶼、堅固的地基、避難處、最殊勝的庇護所。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。大洋之上漂著一葉扁舟,坐在船上的瞿曇您是如何的渡過大洋而至彼岸?」
  瞿曇:「有裂縫的扁舟將無法到達彼岸;無裂縫的扁舟將到達彼岸。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱那扁舟為何?」
  聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「身體就是那扁舟,生命就是那水手,生死流轉就是偉大聖賢們所渡過的大洋。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。在那令人懼怕恐怖的黑暗之中住著許多的眾生,誰將為全世界的眾生帶來光明?」
  瞿曇:「無瑕的太陽將升起與照亮世界;他將為全世界的眾生帶來光明。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱那太陽為何?」
  聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「到達生死盡頭者將升起,那全知的勝者、那光耀者,他將為全世界的眾生帶來光明。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑,但我還有其他疑惑需要您的解答。喔!聖賢,您是否知道一安全、快樂與寂靜之處,能令身心受苦的眾生所安養?」
  瞿曇:「確實有此安全之處所,但是難以到達,在那裡無老病死之苦。」

  迦尸問瞿曇:「您稱那處所為何?」
  聽了迦尸的提問,瞿曇如此回應:「那個地方就叫做涅槃(Nirvana),是無痛苦與完美的地方,是聖賢們所到達的安全、快樂與寂靜之處。那是一個永恆的處所,但是難以到達。那些到達彼處的聖賢們將無所憂愁,他們已經到達生死之流的盡頭。」

  迦尸:「太好了,瞿曇,您確實擁有智慧摧毀我的疑惑;我禮敬您,您不受疑惑所困擾,您是所有修多羅(Sutra)之洋。」

   在所以疑惑得到解答之後,無盡聖潔的迦尸向瞿曇行頭面禮足。在此令人愉悅的鎮頭迦園中,他接受第一位渡津者所宣說、最後一位渡津者所教導的五戒。迦尸與 瞿曇的會面將知識與正業帶給人們,最重要的修習之道也被確立下來。所有的群眾們歡喜的接受如此正法,他們讚嘆迦尸與瞿曇:「願尊者們向我們示現恩惠!」

  我是如此宣說的。

TWENTY-THIRD LECTURE 2.

KÊSI AND GAUTAMA.
There was a Gina, Pârsva 3 by name, an Arhat, worshipped by the people, who was thoroughly enlightened and omniscient, a prophet of the Law, and a Gina. (1)
And there was a famous disciple of this Light of

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the World, the young Sramana Kêsi, who had completely mastered the sciences and right conduct. (2)He possessed the light of Sruta and Avadhi knowledge 1, and was surrounded by a crowd of disciples; wandering from village to village he arrived in the town of Srâvastî. (3)
In the district of that town there is a park, called Tinduka; there he took up his abode in a pure place to live and sleep in. (4)
Now at that time there lived the Prophet of the Law, the Gina, who in the whole world is known as the venerable Vardhamâna. (5)
And there was a famous disciple of this Light of the World, the venerable Gautama by name, who had completely mastered the sciences and right conduct. (6)
He knew the twelve Aṅgas, was enlightened, and was surrounded by a crowd of disciples; wandering from village to village he too arrived in Srâvastî. (7)
In the district of that town there is a park Kôshthaka; there he took up his abode in a pure place to live and sleep in. (8)
The young Sramana Kêsi and the famous Gautama, both lived there, protecting themselves (by the Guptis) and being careful. (9)
The pupils of both, who, controlled themselves, who practised austerities, who possessed virtues, and who protected their Self, made the following reflection: (10)
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'Is our Law the right one, or is the other Law 1 the right one? are our conduct and doctrines right, or the other? (it)
'The Law as taught by the great sage Pârsva, which recognises but four vows 2, or the Law taught by Vardhamâna, which enjoins five vows? (12)
'The Law which forbids clothes (for a monk), hr that which (allows) an under and upper garment? Both pursuing the same end, what has caused their difference?' (13)
Knowing the thoughts of their pupils, both Kêsi and Gautama made up their minds to meet each other. (14)
Gautama, knowing what is proper and what is due to the older section (of the church), went to the Tinduka park, accompanied by the crowd, his pupils. (15)
When Kêsi, the young monk, saw Gautama approach, he received him with all becoming attention. (16)
He at once offered Gautama the four pure kinds of straw and hay 3 to sit upon. (17)
Kêsi, the young Sramana, and the famous Gautama, sitting together, shone forth with a lustre like that of sun and moon. (18)
There assembled many heretics out of curiosity, and many thousands of laymen; (19)
Gods, Dânavas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Râkshasas,


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and Kinnaras (assembled there), and there came together invisible ghosts 1 too. (20)
Kêsi said to Gautama, 'I want to ask you something, holy man.' Then to these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: "Sir, ask whatever you like." Then with his permission Kêsi spoke to Gautama: (21, 22)
'The Law taught by the great sage Pârsva, recognises but four vows, whilst that of Vardhamâna enjoins five. (23)
'Both Laws pursuing the same end, what has caused this difference? Have you no misgivings about this twofold Law, O wise man?' (24)
Then to these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: "Wisdom recognises the truth of the Law and the ascertainment of true things. (25)
"The first 2 saints were simple but slow of understanding, the last saints prevaricating and slow of understanding, those between the two simple and wise; hence there are two forms of the Law 3. (26)


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"The first could but with difficulty understand the precepts of the Law, and the last could only with difficulty observe them, but those between them easily understood and observed them." (27)
'Well, Gautama, you possess wisdom, you have destroyed my doubt; but I have another doubt which you must explain to me, Gautama. (28)
'The Law taught by Vardhamâna forbids clothes, but that of the great sage Pârsva allows an under and upper garment. (29)
'Both Laws pursuing the same end, what has caused this difference? Have you no misgivings about this twofold Law, O wise man?' (30)
To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: "Deciding the matter by their superior knowledge, (the Tîrthakaras) have fixed what is necessary for carrying out the Law. (31)
"The various outward marks (of religious men) have been introduced in order that people might recognise them as such; the reason for the characteristic marks is their usefulness for religious life and their distinguishing character. (32)
"Now the opinion (of the Tîrthakaras) is that knowledge, faith. and right conduct are the true causes of final liberation, (and not the outward marks)." (33)
'Well, Gautama, you possess wisdom, you have destroyed my doubt; but I have another doubt, which you must explain to me, Gautama. (34)
'Gautama, you stand in the midst of many
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thousand (foes) who make an attack on you; how have you vanquished them 1? (35)
"By vanquishing one, five are vanquished; by vanquishing five, ten are vanquished; by this tenfold victory, I vanquish all foes." (36)
Kêsi said to Gautama: 'Whom do you call a foe?' To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (37)
"Self is the one invincible foe, (together with the four) cardinal passions 2, (viz. anger, pride, deceit, and greed, they are five) and the (five) senses (make ten). These (foes), O great sage, I have regularly vanquished." (38)
'Well, Gautama, &c. (as in verse 28). (19)
'We see many beings in this world who are bound by fetters; how have you got rid of your fetters and are set free, O sage?' (40)
"Having cut off all fetters, and having destroyed them by the right means, I have got rid of my fetters and am set free, O sage." (41)
Kêsi said to Gautama: 'What do you call fetters?'

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[paragraph continues] To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (42)
"Love, hatred, &c., are heavy fetters, attachment is a dangerous one; having regularly destroyed them, I live up to the rules of conduct." (43)
'Well, Gautama, &c. (as in verse 28). (44)
'O Gautama, in the innermost heart there grows a plant which brings forth poisonous fruit; how have you torn it out?' (45)
"I have thoroughly clipped that plant, and torn it out altogether with its roots; thus I have got rid of the poisonous fruit." (46)
Kêsi said to Gautama, 'What do you call that plant?' To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (47)
"Love of existence is that dreadful plant which brings forth dreadful fruit; having regularly torn it out, I live pleasantly." (48)
'Well, Gautama, &c. (as in verse 28). (49)
'Gautama, there is blazing up a frightful fire which burns 1 the embodied beings; how have you put it out?' (50)
"Taking water, excellent water, from (the river) produced by the great cloud, I always pour it over my body; thus sprinkled the fire does not burn me." (51)
Kêsi said to Gautama, 'What do you call the fire?' To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (52)
"The passions are the fire; knowledge, a virtuous life, and penances are the water; sprinkled
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with the drops of knowledge the fire of the passions is extinguished and does not burn me." (53)
'Well, Gautama, &c. (as in verse 28). (54)
'The unruly, dreadful, bad horse, on which you sit, runs about, Gautama! how comes it to pass that it does not run off with you?' (55)
"I govern it well in its course by the bridle of knowledge; it does not go astray with me, it keeps to the right path." (56)
Kêsi said to Gautama, 'What do you call this horse?' To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (57)
"The mind is that unruly, dreadful, bad horse; I govern it by the discipline of the Law (so that it becomes a well-) trained Kambôga-steed 1." (58)
'Well, Gautama, &c. (as in verse 28). (59)
'There are many bad roads in this world, which lead men astray; how do you avoid, Gautama, going astray as you are on the road?' (60)
"They all are known to me, those who are in the right path and those who have chosen a wrong path; therefore I do not go astray, O sage!" (61)
Kêsi said to Gautama, 'What do you call the path?' To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (62)
"The heterodox and the heretics have all chosen a wrong path; the right path is that taught by the Ginas; it is the most excellent path." (63)
'Well, Gautama, &c. (as in verse 28). (64)
'Is there a shelter, a refuge, a firm ground for the beings carried away by the great flood of water? do you know the island, O Gautama?' (65)
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"There is a large, great island in the midst of water, which is not inundated by the great flood of water." (66)
Kêsi said to Gautama, 'What do you call this island?' To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (67)
"The flood is old age and death, which carry away living beings; Law is the island, the firm ground, the refuge, the most excellent shelter." (68)
'Well, Gautama, &c. (as in verse 28). (69)
'On the ocean with its many currents there drifts a boat; how will you, Gautama, on board of it reach the opposite shore?' (70)
"A boat that leaks will not reach the opposite shore; but a boat that does not leak, will reach it." (71)
Kêsi said to Gautama, 'What do you call this boat?' To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (72)
"The body is the boat, life is the sailor, and the Circle of Births is the ocean which is crossed by the great sages." (73)
'Well, Gautama, &c. (as in verse 28). (74)
'In this dreadfully dark gloom there live many beings; who will bring light into the whole world of living beings?' (75)
"The spotless sun has risen which illuminates the whole world; he will bring light into the whole world of living beings." (76)
Kêsi said to Gautama, 'What do you call this sun?' To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (77)
"Risen has he who put an end to the Circle of
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[paragraph continues] Births, the omniscient Gina, the luminary, who brings light into the whole world of living beings." (78)
'Well, Gautama, &c. (as in verse 28). (79)
'Do you, O sage, know a safe, happy, and quiet place for living beings which suffer from pains 1 of body and mind?' (80)
"There is a safe place in view of all, but difficult of approach, where there is no old age nor death, no pain nor disease." (81)
Kêsi said to Gautama, 'What is  this place called?' To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: (82)
"It is what is called Nirvâna, or freedom from pain, or perfection, which is in view of all; it is the safe, happy, and quiet place which the great sages reach. (83)
"That is the eternal place, in view of all, but difficult of approach. Those sages who reach it are free from sorrows, they have put an end to the stream of existence." (84)
'Well, Gautama, you possess wisdom, you have destroyed my doubt; obeisance to you, who are not troubled by doubts, who are the ocean, as it were, of all Sûtras.' (85)
After his doubt had been solved, Kêsi, of enormous sanctity, bowed his head to the famous Gautama. (86)
And in the pleasant (Tinduka park) he sincerely adopted the Law of the five vows, which was proclaimed by the first Tîrthakara, according to the teaching of the last Tîrthakara. (87)
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In that meeting of Kêsi and Gautama, knowledge and virtuous conduct were for ever brought to eminence, and subjects of the greatest importance were settled. (88)
The whole assembly was greatly pleased and fixed their thoughts on the right way. They praised Kêsi and Gautama: 'May the venerable ones show us favour!' (89)
Thus I say.




注釋1:耆那教第23位勝者。
注釋2:脅尊者雖然只說四戒,但弟子們對於教法不會有所遲疑,因此也就不會遇上違犯筏馱摩那所制定的第五個戒律;筏馱摩那會多增修第五個戒律乃因其時之人或許多輕忽道德的緣故。

The 24 Tirthankaras of the present cycle of existence

The 24 Tirthankaras of the present cycle of existence

 

Tirthankara
Alias: तीर्थंकर, Tīrthañkaras, Tīrthaṅkara, Tīrthaṅkaras, Tīrthamkara, Tirtamkara, Tirthankaras, Tirthankars
Tirthankara (Prakrit: Tirtha = ford ), also called Jina (victor, winner or conqueror), literally meaning 'ford-maker', who (re-)establishes the religion and the Sangh (the four fold order/community of ascetics and lay followers).
 
The day when a tirthankara was born, got diksha, atteined omniscience and got liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is given in lunar days, so called tithis.
The 24 Tirthankaras of the present cycle of existence:
Symbol
#
Name(s) of Tirthankara
Symbol (Svetambara)
01
bull
02
elephant
03
horse
04
monkey
05
Krauncha bird
06
red lotus
07
08
crescent
09
crocodil
10
shrivatsa
11
rhinoceros
12
buffalo
13
boar
14
falcon
15
vajra
16
antelope
17
goat
18
nandyavarta
19
water jar
20
tortoise
21
blue lotus
22
conch
23
serpent
24
lion

The last Tirtankara known as Mahavira (~ 599 BC), a contemporary of Buddha, and Parshvanatha (~850 BC) found acceptance as historic persons. The appearance of the other 22 predecessors reach for eons.


In Jainism a Tirthankara (he or she) is a liberated soul who has attained omniscience and guides the souls to the opposite shores of the ocean of the world to save them from the cycles of repeated earth existences (rebirth). Tirthankara also are called Jina (vanquisher, victor, conqueror), their followers Jains.
To them, a Tirthankara is greater than the gods because he transcends the laws of Space and Time.


馬哈維亞 Mahavira

馬哈維亞 Mahavira

 



馬哈維亞 Mahavira
       


      
耆那教(Jainism) ,始創人為笩駄摩那(Vardhamana ),前599年—前527年),是起源於古印度的古老宗教之一,有其獨立的信仰和哲學。他早於佛教的始創人釋迦牟尼出生,耆那教的中心教義主要由他建立。

      
耆那教尊奉尊者大雄馬哈維亞(Mahavira)為第24代祖師(Tirthankar),也是最後一位祖師。根據耆那哲學所述,所有的祖師都是人類。但是,他們已經通過禪定訓練和自我實現達到了完美或覺悟的狀態——他們就是耆那的神。
      
馬哈維亞(大雄)誕生於2,593年(前599年)前的Chaitra月(現在的4月)上弦月第13天。出生地在印度​​比哈爾邦。他的生日以後被作為了大雄節(Jayanti)。馬哈維亞是一位國王的兒子,他的父親對印度摔跤藝術有著很濃厚的興趣,於是栽培馬哈維亞去做摔跤手,希望他能成為全國冠軍,而他確實有這個條件,因為他生得一副鋼筋鐵骨。在他成長的過程裡,一天二十四小時都只為了一個目的而努力:成為全國的摔跤冠軍。他被交給優秀的摔跤手來培訓,有專人為他按摩,專業的醫師照顧他的健康。他的身體理所當然做了萬全的準備,他具備了比例適當的體格,身體每一寸地方都被照顧得無微不至​​。然後,他棄俗了。

      
他沒有成為摔跤手,而是成了修行者,在他證悟之後,他丟掉了衣服。之前他只有一塊布用來蓋住身體,在他成道後,下山的途中遇到了一個乞丐向他乞討,馬哈維亞看了看自己,他只有一件披巾,於是他將披巾撕成兩半,將其中一半給了乞丐,他自己留下另一半,那一半已經不夠用來覆蓋身體了。當他走入山谷之後,他的那一半披巾卡在玫瑰花叢的荊棘裡,他回頭一看時,不禁笑著說:“真是過分!我從來沒有拒絕過別人任何事,所以你將這一半也拿去吧!反正它對我也沒有用處。看來我幫那個乞丐留這一半是不必要的,他拿著那一半能做什麼?如何它沒辦法蓋住我的身體,也就不可能蓋住他的身體。你可以拿走它了,說不定那個乞丐會經過這條路,就會連這一半也拿去。”那就是他之所以不穿衣服的來龍去脈。
      
然而,他享受極了清晨的陽光與涼爽的空氣,他所在的地方是全印度最炎熱的比哈省,但他覺得清爽無比,於是想:“為什麼需要衣服呢?”他不曾向人索求過任何東西。別人向他要什麼他都會給與,但他從未對人開口要些什麼。
 
耆那宇宙觀
      
耆那教中不存在作為宇宙創造神,保護神和破壞神的概念。另外,神為了降伏惡魔而投胎成人的想法在耆那教中也不被接受。認為世界是由原子構成,不由神造。

信仰和實踐
      
大雄解釋道:“無始以來,所有的生物(靈魂)都是在業的束縛中,而業是善或惡行為的積聚。在業的影響下,靈魂習慣於在物質財富中尋找快樂,從而就有暴力的想法、行為、憤怒、怨恨、貪婪及諸如此類的罪惡在心中紮根。這些結果也導致業的進一步積聚。”大雄教導:“正知(samyak-darsh​​ana)、正見(samyak-jnana)和正行(samyak-charitra)是自我解脫的真實之路。”

正行由五誓言構成:1、非暴力(Ahimsa)——不傷害任何生物。2、誠實語(Satya)——只說實話且語不傷人。3、不偷竊(Asteya)——不拿經由不當方法、途徑得到的東西。4、純潔行(Brahmacharya)——不沉溺於肉慾的快樂。5、不執著(Aparigraha)——完全不粘著人、地和物。

      
耆那教徒以五誓言作為生活的核心。但如果不明智於非絕對論(Anekantvad)和相對論(Syadvad)哲學,這些誓言律就不可能被充分且完整的實行。出家人嚴格地、完全地遵守這些誓言;另一方面,在家者也可只遵守與自己的實際生活相適應的部分誓言。關於精神進階的問題,如同大雄所預言的那樣,男女在條件上是平等的。放棄和解脫的魅力也同樣吸引著女性為之奮鬥。很多女性遵循大雄指示的道路,為尋找最終的幸福放下了和世間的關係。這樣,如果她們以正見理解,並忠實地遵循耆那教的原則,就將為他們在此世的生命帶來滿足和內在的幸福,死後靈魂將再生到具有更高精神水平的世界,獲得完全的覺悟,達到最後永恆的至福,結束所有的生死循環。被大雄教義吸引的人們包括了各階層的民眾:富戶和貧者,國王和平民,男和女,王子和公主,高貴者和賤民。大雄將他的信徒歸為4類,即男修士(Sadhu),女修士(Sadhvi),男在家眾(Shravak)和女在家眾(Shravika)。這個順序就叫做 Jain Sangh。
 
由於宗教信仰的原因,耆那教徒一般不從事以屠宰為生的職業,諸如當兵、屠夫、皮匠等,甚至也不從事農業。在他們看來農夫犁地也會傷害蟲類等生物,所以耆那教徒從事商業、貿易或工業的較多,由於他們講究誠實和道德,他們成了印度優秀的商人或著名財團。著名的瓦爾昌德、達爾米亞和賈恩三個財團的家族都是耆那教徒。

耆那教雖然不講究信神,但卻重視崇拜24祖,因此,在印度建立有關24祖的寺廟4萬多個。耆那信徒除了在廟宇中崇拜這些祖先外,在家中也進行許多崇拜儀式,諸如念誦耆那,給偶像沐浴和獻花,誦唱耆那的讚美詩,教徒進行沉思和守戒等。每年每月都有例行齋期和節日活動,如大雄誕生紀念日、贖罪節等。

目前耆那教在印度有一定的社會影響,教徒有340多萬(1991年),有關組織不下幾十個,例如耆那教青年大會、全印耆那教大會,世界耆那教傳教會等。另外有關的文化研究單位和中小學校也很多,如孟買大雄耆那教學院就很有名,在新德里有百餘所中小學和幾所大學及研究單位。耆那教與印度教很接近,因此,在印度信耆那教的人,也可以被算作印度教的第三種性,他們與印度教徒可以彼此通婚。
耆那教與佛教幾乎同時代產生,但兩者發展狀況大不相同,佛教的發展大起大落,今天在印度信佛教的人已寥寥無幾,而耆那教卻不斷穩步發展。到了近代,耆那教不斷向外傳播,今天在斯里蘭卡、波斯、阿富汗、阿拉伯等地均有一定的影響。
    

 

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