吉凶禍福(Auspiciousness, misfortune, disaster,
happiness)
本部落格寫作緣起，原是為了向國際友人介紹中華文化。因此行文中，為求簡明易懂，例如將皇帝、王等傳統頭銜，統一簡化為國王，並盡量直稱其名。此為譯介之便，非為考據之疏。若您欲查閱嚴謹史料，請以文末所附典籍出處為準。
中國的晉王朝結束之後，中國陷入一段長時間的混亂狀態，這段時代被歷史學家稱為南北王朝時代。
佛教自從西元67年開始系統性地傳入中國之後，經過了將近400年的醞釀最後在南北王朝時期達到了高峰。
由於南北王朝時期的政治與經濟情勢非常動盪，戰爭頻發，政權更迭非常的快速，人們的內心感受到生命的脆弱與人生的無常，所以佛教在這個時期快速的普及並進入了人民的生活，從這個時期開始，佛教與儒家與道家成為影響中國人的思想與價值觀的最主要的三種力量。
在南北王朝時代，有一個著名的大臣與文學家，他的名字是顏之推，他信仰佛教而且對佛教的教義有著很深刻的理解。
他寫了一本書分享自己的人生經驗給他的孩子，他所寫的這本書被大家所喜愛與傳播，這本書其中許多內容至今為止仍然深刻地影響著許多中國人。
從他的這本書中，我們可以看到當時的有些人們很不喜歡佛教，這些人們認為佛教有五項很不好的地方，所以他們抵制佛教，這五個不好的地方如下。
第一點。這些反對佛教的人們認為我們生活在這個世界上，我們應該站在現實主義的立場去關心我們周圍的人事物，佛教的經典書籍中討論的是那些有別於我們這個現實世界之外的世界，佛教的經典書籍中所描述的那些我們肉眼看不見、身體無法感知的世界是一種荒誕且不切實際的妄想。
第二點。這些反對佛教的人們認為佛教強調一個人做好事或做壞事都有報應，吉祥、凶險、災禍、幸福這些事情都會報應在我們的身上。但是我們環顧我們的四周圍，我們會發現有很多人做好事卻沒有好的收穫，相反的有很多壞人做了壞事之後還可以享受好的結果。根據這個明顯的證據，我們就可以知道佛教的理論是有問題的。
第三點。有很多信仰佛教的僧人，這些人外表與言語都表現得很正直，這些人在社會中有很高的地位，但是這些人在私底下做了很多壞事，這些人的行為反應出佛教這個宗教的偽善。
第四點。佛教興建很大間的寺廟，為了興建寺廟所以常常向信仰佛教的人募捐，佛教的和尚並不工作，信仰佛教的信徒們被要求必須供應和尚日常生活的所有花費，佛教團體本身又可以免除國家的稅賦，如果佛教愈發展，那麼國家的財政就會愈困難。
第五點。佛教強調輪迴轉世，一個人做好事與做壞事的報應不一定會立刻回在自己身上，這個人的報應大概率會反饋到下一次輪迴後的那個人身上，假設這點是真的，那麼不是太不公平了嗎?一個這輩子很勤奮的好人為何不能享受自己行為帶來的好的結果，反而要把這些好的結果反饋到那麼不一定真的會出現的下一世的自己身上呢?
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是吉祥、凶險、災禍、幸福。
這句成語目前被用來概括形容一個人的人生中所有順境、逆景、好運與壞事。。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的啟發或有怎樣的想法呢。
你是否喜歡佛教呢?你所信仰的宗教中是否有那些你覺得奇怪的理論呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為顏之推-顏氏家訓-卷5－歸心篇
https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E9%A1%8F%E6%B0%8F%E5%AE%B6%E8%A8%93/%E5%8D%B7%E7%AC%AC5
Auspiciousness, misfortune, disaster, happiness(吉凶禍福)
This blog was originally created to
introduce Chinese culture to international friends. For the sake of simplicity
and ease of understanding, traditional titles such as 'Emperor' and 'King' have
been simplified, and names have been used as directly as possible. This is for
the convenience of translation, not historical research. If you wish to consult
rigorous historical materials, please refer to the sources listed at the end of
the article.
Following the end of the Jin dynasty, China
descended into a prolonged period of chaos known to historians as the Northern
and Southern Dynasties period.
Buddhism was introduced to China in 67 AD
and took nearly 400 years to develop, reaching its peak during the Northern and
Southern Dynasties period.
The highly turbulent political and economic
situation, frequent wars and rapid changes of regime during this period made
people feel the fragility of life and the impermanence of existence.
Consequently, Buddhism spread rapidly and became an integral part of people's
lives during this period. From this time onwards, Buddhism, alongside
Confucianism and Taoism, became one of the three main influences on Chinese
thought and values.
During this period, there was a famous
minister and writer named Yan Zhitui. A devout Buddhist, he had a profound
understanding of Buddhist doctrines.
He wrote a book in which he shared his life
experiences with his children. This book was widely read and disseminated, and
many of its ideas still influence Chinese people today.
From the book, we can see that some people
at the time disliked Buddhism. They believed that Buddhism had five major
flaws, which led to their resistance. The five flaws are as follows:
Firstly, opponents of Buddhism believed
that we should take a realistic approach to the people and things around us.
They believed that Buddhist scriptures discussing worlds different from our own
were absurd and unrealistic fantasies, as these worlds are invisible to the
naked eye and imperceptible to the body.
Secondly, they believed that Buddhism
emphasises the karmic consequences of good and bad deeds and that
auspiciousness, misfortune, disaster and happiness will all befall us. However,
if we look around, we see many people who do good deeds but receive no reward,
while many bad people who commit evil acts enjoy good fortune. Based on this
obvious evidence, we can see that Buddhist theory is flawed.
Thirdly, many Buddhist monks appear upright
in their appearance and speech and hold high social positions, yet they commit
many evil deeds in private. This behaviour reflects the hypocrisy of Buddhism
as a religion.
Fourthly, Buddhism builds many temples,
often soliciting donations from believers to fund these constructions. Buddhist
monks do not work, yet believers are required to support all their daily
expenses. Furthermore, Buddhist organisations are exempt from national taxes.
The more Buddhism develops, the more financially strained the country becomes.
Fifthly... Buddhism emphasises
reincarnation. The karmic consequences of good and bad deeds do not necessarily
manifest immediately in the individual, but are more likely to be reflected in
their next reincarnation. If this is true, isn't it incredibly unfair? Why
can't a diligent and good person enjoy the positive results of their actions in
this life instead of having those results reflected in a future life that may
never come to pass?
This idiom translates as 'auspiciousness,
misfortune, disaster and happiness'.
It is currently used to summarise all the
ups and downs, good fortune and bad luck in a person's life.
Dear friend,What insights or thoughts did
you gain from this story?
Are you familiar with Buddhism? Are there
any aspects of your own religion that you find strange?
I hope this story gives you some new
insights.