真正科學就是佛教
TRUE SCIENCE IS JUST BUDDHISM
宣化上人一九九三年訪臺開示
Venerable Master Hua's Talks on the Dharma in 1993 in Taiwan
Venerable Master Hua's Talks on the Dharma in 1993 in Taiwan
戒、定、慧,這是科學、哲學的一個根本。 Precepts, concentration, and wisdom are the fundamentals of science and philosophy.
各位善知識:我也沒有讀過科學,也沒有讀過哲學,所以對於這個science(科學)、philosophy(哲學),都是一個門外漢。今天你們各位要求講這個題目,這真是強人所難。雖然如此,我略說幾句,是不科、也不學、也不哲的話。
All Good and Wise Advisors: Since I never studied science or philosophy, I am an outsider to these subjects. You are really giving me a difficult task by asking me to speak on these subjects. Nevertheless, I will say a few unscientific and unphilosophical words.
什麼叫科學?什麼叫哲學?這兩個名詞都很抽象的,為什麼呢?科學是屬於慧性,哲學是屬於理性。這慧性和理性沒有一個進步,也沒有一個退步,它都是宛然存在的,在聖不增,在凡不減。
What is science? What is philosophy? These two terms are very abstract. Science deals with wisdom, and philosophy deals with reason. As for wisdom and reason, there is no progress and no retreat in them. They exist in completion, with neither more in sages, nor less in ordinary people.
什麼叫慧學?慧學就是「戒定慧」這個「慧」。你想要有真正的智慧,首先必須要有定力,才能分辨是法、非法,善法和不善法;你想要有定力,先要持戒。持什麼戒呢?這個戒,就是止惡防非的,我們「諸惡不作,眾善奉行;自淨其意,是諸佛教。」這屬於慧性。說「諸惡不作」,誰都知道,那有什麼慧性?「眾善奉行」,也誰都知道,怎麼又能講得上慧性呢?你若能「諸惡不作」,就是個戒力;你若「眾善奉行」,就是個慧力。你有戒力了,中間產生一種定力;定力可以支配這個慧力,這個慧性,智慧之性。
What is the study of wisdom? It refers to the wisdom in the threefold study of precepts, concentration, and wisdom. If you want to have real wisdom, you must first have concentration. With concentration you can distinguish true dharmas from false dharmas and good dharmas from bad dharmas. To obtain concentration, you must first observe the precepts. What are the precepts? The precepts guard against wrongdoing. We should follow the saying:
Do no evil, practice all good, and purify your own mind. That is the teaching of the Buddhas.
This is considered wisdom. You say, "Everyone understands the principle of doing no evil. How can that be wisdom?" "Anyone can understand the principle of practicing only good. How is that wisdom?" If you can do no evil, then you have the power of the precepts. If you practice only good, then you have the power of wisdom. Once you have the power of precepts, the power of samadhi arises. The power of concentration can regulate the power of wisdom, the nature of the wisdom.
談起這個科學,我是門外漢,可是我說幾句行家話。科學,是無窮無盡的。五百年以前,人家就懂得科學。在中國來說,三千年以前已經有人懂得科學。軒轅黃帝發明指南車,這是在四、五千年以前就發明了;直至今日,東、西方還是根據指南針來判定方向,這都是一種科學的產品。中國的科學,在周朝以前,很早已經有火炮、火藥;可是那時候,不用它來打仗、作戰,用它來鳴炮舉聲,這表示事情的隆重。那時候中國就有科學的發展,乃至於墨子那時候,就發明飛機,但它的名詞不叫飛機,叫飛雁。
I am an outsider to science, but I will say a few "professional" words. Science is limitless and inexhaustible. Five hundred years ago, people already understood science. Over three thousand years ago, there were already people in China who understood science. Xuan Yan, the Yellow Emperor, invented the compass four or five thousand years ago, and it is still being used today to tell direction in both the East and the West. Such things are the products of science. Very early on in Chinese science, before the Zhou Dynasty, they had cannons and gunpowder, but they didn't use them in warfare. They would just set off the cannons a few times to celebrate important occasions. Science was already developing in China then, and by the time of Mocius, the plane was already invented. Instead of calling it a plane ["flying machine" in Chinese], they called it a "flying goose."
可是中國人做事,好讀書不求甚解,發明了一種東西,他不向深了去研究,所以日久又都忘了,這在歷史上可考據的。漢朝諸葛亮造「木牛流馬」,也不吃草,也不吃料,也不睡覺,就能運輸糧草給軍人用。到現在嘛,把這個方法也都失去了。這都是屬於科學。
Although the Chinese people like to study, they do not try to deepen their understanding. They invent something, but do not investigate it deeply, so after a long time, it is forgotten. There is historical evidence for this. During the Minor Han Dynasty of the Three Kingdoms Period, Zhuge Liang [a brilliant military strategist] built wooden horses and oxen that could transport food and supplies for the army without needing to eat hay or grain or to sleep. Although that technology has now been lost, it was also a scientific development.
這科學,五百年以前的科學研究,說科學是這個樣子;等到五百年以後,又變了樣子,以前所發明的又都沒有用了,所以這個道理是無窮無盡的。說科學有進步,它不是進步的時候,人才知道;就不進步的時候,它也存在的,就是因為我們人智慧、智力達不到這種境界,所以不知道這科學。
In speaking of science, we must realize that the scientific research of five hundred years ago defined science a certain way, but that definition has changed after five hundred years. What was considered a scientific invention in the past is no longer used now. So the principles are endless and inexhaustible, and when we say there is progress, it does not mean that we invent something new. Even when there is no progress, the principle is always there. It is just that our wisdom and intelligence may not have reached that kind of state, and so we are unaware of that kind of science.
電腦,這也是屬於一種科學的結晶,可是我們人現在迷到電腦上了,用電腦來賺錢。若懂得電腦了,就能賺不少錢;不懂得電腦,就要失業了。我在十多年以前就對人講過,我說這個電腦不如神腦。神腦不是用電來支配,是用自己的智慧來駕御它。你有智慧了,什麼問題都迎刃而解,能當機立斷;沒有智慧,愚癡的人,學的東西不會很圓滿。所以這個神腦,我們每一個人都有,不用錢去買,你把神腦若會用了,那又超過那個電腦了。可是現在一般人研究的科學,也不知道有個神腦。這個神腦是自性具足的,不需要到外邊找。
Computers are also a result of science, but nowadays everyone is infatuated with computers, and many are using them to make money. If you understand computers, you can make a lot of money, but if you don't, you might lose your job. Over ten years ago, I said that the computer ["electronic brain" in Chinese] cannot beat the "spiritual brain" which runs not on electricity, but on our own wisdom. If you have wisdom, then you can resolve any problem right away. Fools who lack wisdom cannot learn anything well. Each one of us has a spiritual brain. We don't need to go out and buy one. If we know how to use our spiritual brain, then it can surpass the electronic brain--the computer. However, those who study science today don't know about the spiritual brain, which is inherent in their own nature and need not be sought outside.
這個哲學也是一種理性,講這個道理,合乎邏輯、不合乎邏輯?這兩種的學問,有的研究來、研究去,愈研究愈迷糊,研究到老死,也沒研究出個所以然;等到再世為人,把所研究的又都忘了,又是要重頭練過。所以說科學、哲學它是宛然存在的,並沒有什麼進步和退步。退步、進步,這都是我們人心在那兒分別。我在各位科學家面前講的話,你們聽得出一定是個外行所講的。
Philosophy deals with reason, with the study of what is logical and what is not. The more people study this kind of knowledge, the more muddled they become, until they grow old and die without having reached any conclusion in their studies. When they are reborn as people in their next life, they will have forgotten everything they studied previously and will have to start all over again. Science and philosophy exist by themselves, and there is no such thing as their progress or decline. Progress and decline are just discriminations that we make. As all of you scientists can tell, I am just speaking the words of an outsider.
真正科學是什麼呢?不爭是科學,不貪是科學,無所求是科學,不自私那是真科學,不自利那也是真正哲學,再不打妄語。若有這六種毛病,不管研究什麼,研究來、研究去,都是在皮毛上打轉轉,愈研究愈迷惑,沒有一個頭緒,所謂循環無端,無窮無盡的。那麼與其無窮無盡,我們何不返本還原,把我們這個神腦修理好了。這時候,不動而知天下,無所不知,無所不明,這所謂「而一旦豁然貫通焉,則眾物之表裏精粗無不到,而吾心之全體大用,無不明矣!」你真能修習定力、修習戒力、修習慧力,戒、定、慧,這是科學、哲學的一個根本。可是我們人在這個地方恐怕都忽略了,沒注意這個。沒有注意這個,所以就像在那個輪子裏轉轉似的,轉來轉去,找不著出頭的地方。
What is true science? Not fighting is science; not being greedy is science; seeking nothing is science; being unselfish is true science; not pursuing personal profit is true philosophy, and so is not lying. If you have these six faults, then no matter how much research you do, you are just circling around on the surface. The more you study, the more muddled you get, and you will never get a handle on it. It never ends, but just goes on and on. Wouldn't it be better for us to return to the source and improve our spiritual brains? Then, without making a move, we would understand the universe. Nothing would be beyond our knowledge. As it is said, "one suddenly penetrates everything and understands all the inner, outer, coarse, and fine aspects of the myriad phenomena, as well as the overall great functioning of one's mind." If you can truly cultivate precepts, concentration, and wisdom, they are the fundamentals of science and philosophy. I'm afraid we have neglected them and paid no attention to them. We are just spinning in circles, round and round, unable to find a way out.
我們要研究科學、哲學,首先一定把這個本身的科學、哲學,研究徹底明白了。你自己本身的問題,還沒明白,就只是到外面去找。研究、研究,用多少錢來研究,研究來研究去,也是沒有什麼成就。因為你捨本逐末,沒能在心地法門上用功夫。你向外馳求,到外邊去找去,外邊找來的都不是的。
In studying science and philosophy, we should first thoroughly investigate the science and philosophy of our own selves. If you study what is outside, without first understanding your own problems, then no matter how much money and effort you expend in your research, it will come to nothing. This is because you are abandoning the root to pursue the branch tips. You are looking outside instead of applying effort internally, in the mind. If you search for and study the Dharma external to your mind, what you find will not be the real thing.
我說的話一定很多人不願意聽的,說:「你講來講去,真是荒唐透頂!我從來就沒有聽過人家講科學、哲學,說要由戒定慧上著手。戒定慧那是你們和尚的事情,與我們科學、哲學有什麼關係?」你因為沒找到根本,就認為這是和尚的事。和尚根本也是個人,他是由人而做和尚的,我們大家不要忘了,「人同此心,心同此理」,不要認為這有什麼了不起。
I am sure some people are objecting, "What you are saying is totally absurd. We've never heard anyone say that science and philosophy should be based on precepts, concentration, and wisdom. Precepts, concentration, and wisdom are the business of monks--what do they have to do with science and philosophy?" It is just because you haven't found the root that you think they are the business of monks. Actually, monks are just people, and it is people who become monks. It is said, "People's minds are all the same, and all minds follow the same principle." You shouldn't think what I said is a big deal.
真正的科學就是佛教,佛教包羅萬有,再沒有什麼學問超過佛教了。所以你若想廣博多聞,要先來研究佛法;你把佛法了解了,研究科學也容易,研究哲學也容易,因為你開大智慧了,一切問題都迎刃而解。
The true science is just Buddhism. Buddhism encompasses the myriad things, and there is no field of study which goes beyond Buddhism. Therefore, if you want to study extensively, you should first investigate the Buddhadharma. Once you understand the Buddhadharma, it will be easy to study science and philosophy, because you will have great wisdom, and all problems will be solved as soon as they arise.
我說的,如果有點道理嘛,你們各位就不妨試一試;若沒有道理呢,就算我浪費你們每一個人的時間,你把它忘了!
If what I have said makes sense, you can try it out. If it doesn't make sense, then I have wasted everyone's time, and you should forget it.
各位善知識:我也沒有讀過科學,也沒有讀過哲學,所以對於這個science(科學)、philosophy(哲學),都是一個門外漢。今天你們各位要求講這個題目,這真是強人所難。雖然如此,我略說幾句,是不科、也不學、也不哲的話。
All Good and Wise Advisors: Since I never studied science or philosophy, I am an outsider to these subjects. You are really giving me a difficult task by asking me to speak on these subjects. Nevertheless, I will say a few unscientific and unphilosophical words.
什麼叫科學?什麼叫哲學?這兩個名詞都很抽象的,為什麼呢?科學是屬於慧性,哲學是屬於理性。這慧性和理性沒有一個進步,也沒有一個退步,它都是宛然存在的,在聖不增,在凡不減。
What is science? What is philosophy? These two terms are very abstract. Science deals with wisdom, and philosophy deals with reason. As for wisdom and reason, there is no progress and no retreat in them. They exist in completion, with neither more in sages, nor less in ordinary people.
什麼叫慧學?慧學就是「戒定慧」這個「慧」。你想要有真正的智慧,首先必須要有定力,才能分辨是法、非法,善法和不善法;你想要有定力,先要持戒。持什麼戒呢?這個戒,就是止惡防非的,我們「諸惡不作,眾善奉行;自淨其意,是諸佛教。」這屬於慧性。說「諸惡不作」,誰都知道,那有什麼慧性?「眾善奉行」,也誰都知道,怎麼又能講得上慧性呢?你若能「諸惡不作」,就是個戒力;你若「眾善奉行」,就是個慧力。你有戒力了,中間產生一種定力;定力可以支配這個慧力,這個慧性,智慧之性。
What is the study of wisdom? It refers to the wisdom in the threefold study of precepts, concentration, and wisdom. If you want to have real wisdom, you must first have concentration. With concentration you can distinguish true dharmas from false dharmas and good dharmas from bad dharmas. To obtain concentration, you must first observe the precepts. What are the precepts? The precepts guard against wrongdoing. We should follow the saying:
Do no evil, practice all good, and purify your own mind. That is the teaching of the Buddhas.
This is considered wisdom. You say, "Everyone understands the principle of doing no evil. How can that be wisdom?" "Anyone can understand the principle of practicing only good. How is that wisdom?" If you can do no evil, then you have the power of the precepts. If you practice only good, then you have the power of wisdom. Once you have the power of precepts, the power of samadhi arises. The power of concentration can regulate the power of wisdom, the nature of the wisdom.
談起這個科學,我是門外漢,可是我說幾句行家話。科學,是無窮無盡的。五百年以前,人家就懂得科學。在中國來說,三千年以前已經有人懂得科學。軒轅黃帝發明指南車,這是在四、五千年以前就發明了;直至今日,東、西方還是根據指南針來判定方向,這都是一種科學的產品。中國的科學,在周朝以前,很早已經有火炮、火藥;可是那時候,不用它來打仗、作戰,用它來鳴炮舉聲,這表示事情的隆重。那時候中國就有科學的發展,乃至於墨子那時候,就發明飛機,但它的名詞不叫飛機,叫飛雁。
I am an outsider to science, but I will say a few "professional" words. Science is limitless and inexhaustible. Five hundred years ago, people already understood science. Over three thousand years ago, there were already people in China who understood science. Xuan Yan, the Yellow Emperor, invented the compass four or five thousand years ago, and it is still being used today to tell direction in both the East and the West. Such things are the products of science. Very early on in Chinese science, before the Zhou Dynasty, they had cannons and gunpowder, but they didn't use them in warfare. They would just set off the cannons a few times to celebrate important occasions. Science was already developing in China then, and by the time of Mocius, the plane was already invented. Instead of calling it a plane ["flying machine" in Chinese], they called it a "flying goose."
可是中國人做事,好讀書不求甚解,發明了一種東西,他不向深了去研究,所以日久又都忘了,這在歷史上可考據的。漢朝諸葛亮造「木牛流馬」,也不吃草,也不吃料,也不睡覺,就能運輸糧草給軍人用。到現在嘛,把這個方法也都失去了。這都是屬於科學。
Although the Chinese people like to study, they do not try to deepen their understanding. They invent something, but do not investigate it deeply, so after a long time, it is forgotten. There is historical evidence for this. During the Minor Han Dynasty of the Three Kingdoms Period, Zhuge Liang [a brilliant military strategist] built wooden horses and oxen that could transport food and supplies for the army without needing to eat hay or grain or to sleep. Although that technology has now been lost, it was also a scientific development.
這科學,五百年以前的科學研究,說科學是這個樣子;等到五百年以後,又變了樣子,以前所發明的又都沒有用了,所以這個道理是無窮無盡的。說科學有進步,它不是進步的時候,人才知道;就不進步的時候,它也存在的,就是因為我們人智慧、智力達不到這種境界,所以不知道這科學。
In speaking of science, we must realize that the scientific research of five hundred years ago defined science a certain way, but that definition has changed after five hundred years. What was considered a scientific invention in the past is no longer used now. So the principles are endless and inexhaustible, and when we say there is progress, it does not mean that we invent something new. Even when there is no progress, the principle is always there. It is just that our wisdom and intelligence may not have reached that kind of state, and so we are unaware of that kind of science.
電腦,這也是屬於一種科學的結晶,可是我們人現在迷到電腦上了,用電腦來賺錢。若懂得電腦了,就能賺不少錢;不懂得電腦,就要失業了。我在十多年以前就對人講過,我說這個電腦不如神腦。神腦不是用電來支配,是用自己的智慧來駕御它。你有智慧了,什麼問題都迎刃而解,能當機立斷;沒有智慧,愚癡的人,學的東西不會很圓滿。所以這個神腦,我們每一個人都有,不用錢去買,你把神腦若會用了,那又超過那個電腦了。可是現在一般人研究的科學,也不知道有個神腦。這個神腦是自性具足的,不需要到外邊找。
Computers are also a result of science, but nowadays everyone is infatuated with computers, and many are using them to make money. If you understand computers, you can make a lot of money, but if you don't, you might lose your job. Over ten years ago, I said that the computer ["electronic brain" in Chinese] cannot beat the "spiritual brain" which runs not on electricity, but on our own wisdom. If you have wisdom, then you can resolve any problem right away. Fools who lack wisdom cannot learn anything well. Each one of us has a spiritual brain. We don't need to go out and buy one. If we know how to use our spiritual brain, then it can surpass the electronic brain--the computer. However, those who study science today don't know about the spiritual brain, which is inherent in their own nature and need not be sought outside.
這個哲學也是一種理性,講這個道理,合乎邏輯、不合乎邏輯?這兩種的學問,有的研究來、研究去,愈研究愈迷糊,研究到老死,也沒研究出個所以然;等到再世為人,把所研究的又都忘了,又是要重頭練過。所以說科學、哲學它是宛然存在的,並沒有什麼進步和退步。退步、進步,這都是我們人心在那兒分別。我在各位科學家面前講的話,你們聽得出一定是個外行所講的。
Philosophy deals with reason, with the study of what is logical and what is not. The more people study this kind of knowledge, the more muddled they become, until they grow old and die without having reached any conclusion in their studies. When they are reborn as people in their next life, they will have forgotten everything they studied previously and will have to start all over again. Science and philosophy exist by themselves, and there is no such thing as their progress or decline. Progress and decline are just discriminations that we make. As all of you scientists can tell, I am just speaking the words of an outsider.
真正科學是什麼呢?不爭是科學,不貪是科學,無所求是科學,不自私那是真科學,不自利那也是真正哲學,再不打妄語。若有這六種毛病,不管研究什麼,研究來、研究去,都是在皮毛上打轉轉,愈研究愈迷惑,沒有一個頭緒,所謂循環無端,無窮無盡的。那麼與其無窮無盡,我們何不返本還原,把我們這個神腦修理好了。這時候,不動而知天下,無所不知,無所不明,這所謂「而一旦豁然貫通焉,則眾物之表裏精粗無不到,而吾心之全體大用,無不明矣!」你真能修習定力、修習戒力、修習慧力,戒、定、慧,這是科學、哲學的一個根本。可是我們人在這個地方恐怕都忽略了,沒注意這個。沒有注意這個,所以就像在那個輪子裏轉轉似的,轉來轉去,找不著出頭的地方。
What is true science? Not fighting is science; not being greedy is science; seeking nothing is science; being unselfish is true science; not pursuing personal profit is true philosophy, and so is not lying. If you have these six faults, then no matter how much research you do, you are just circling around on the surface. The more you study, the more muddled you get, and you will never get a handle on it. It never ends, but just goes on and on. Wouldn't it be better for us to return to the source and improve our spiritual brains? Then, without making a move, we would understand the universe. Nothing would be beyond our knowledge. As it is said, "one suddenly penetrates everything and understands all the inner, outer, coarse, and fine aspects of the myriad phenomena, as well as the overall great functioning of one's mind." If you can truly cultivate precepts, concentration, and wisdom, they are the fundamentals of science and philosophy. I'm afraid we have neglected them and paid no attention to them. We are just spinning in circles, round and round, unable to find a way out.
我們要研究科學、哲學,首先一定把這個本身的科學、哲學,研究徹底明白了。你自己本身的問題,還沒明白,就只是到外面去找。研究、研究,用多少錢來研究,研究來研究去,也是沒有什麼成就。因為你捨本逐末,沒能在心地法門上用功夫。你向外馳求,到外邊去找去,外邊找來的都不是的。
In studying science and philosophy, we should first thoroughly investigate the science and philosophy of our own selves. If you study what is outside, without first understanding your own problems, then no matter how much money and effort you expend in your research, it will come to nothing. This is because you are abandoning the root to pursue the branch tips. You are looking outside instead of applying effort internally, in the mind. If you search for and study the Dharma external to your mind, what you find will not be the real thing.
我說的話一定很多人不願意聽的,說:「你講來講去,真是荒唐透頂!我從來就沒有聽過人家講科學、哲學,說要由戒定慧上著手。戒定慧那是你們和尚的事情,與我們科學、哲學有什麼關係?」你因為沒找到根本,就認為這是和尚的事。和尚根本也是個人,他是由人而做和尚的,我們大家不要忘了,「人同此心,心同此理」,不要認為這有什麼了不起。
I am sure some people are objecting, "What you are saying is totally absurd. We've never heard anyone say that science and philosophy should be based on precepts, concentration, and wisdom. Precepts, concentration, and wisdom are the business of monks--what do they have to do with science and philosophy?" It is just because you haven't found the root that you think they are the business of monks. Actually, monks are just people, and it is people who become monks. It is said, "People's minds are all the same, and all minds follow the same principle." You shouldn't think what I said is a big deal.
真正的科學就是佛教,佛教包羅萬有,再沒有什麼學問超過佛教了。所以你若想廣博多聞,要先來研究佛法;你把佛法了解了,研究科學也容易,研究哲學也容易,因為你開大智慧了,一切問題都迎刃而解。
The true science is just Buddhism. Buddhism encompasses the myriad things, and there is no field of study which goes beyond Buddhism. Therefore, if you want to study extensively, you should first investigate the Buddhadharma. Once you understand the Buddhadharma, it will be easy to study science and philosophy, because you will have great wisdom, and all problems will be solved as soon as they arise.
我說的,如果有點道理嘛,你們各位就不妨試一試;若沒有道理呢,就算我浪費你們每一個人的時間,你把它忘了!
If what I have said makes sense, you can try it out. If it doesn't make sense, then I have wasted everyone's time, and you should forget it.