耳聞目見(Hearing and
Seeing)
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地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，他相信佛教所說的那些我們肉眼看不見、身體無法感知的世界真實的存在。
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，他這本書中有一段話如下。
有些人信仰佛教另外有些人毀謗佛教，我認為每個人做的這些事情都會產生其相應的結果，如果要我形容這些行動與結果的關係，我會說像是人與影子、聲音與回聲一樣。
如果我們用心的觀察，我們耳朵聽到與眼睛看到的有關於報應的事例其實非常多，這些發生在我們身邊的事情我們為何沒有發覺呢?我認為是因為我們不相信的眼睛遮蔽住真實的情況，也有可能是因為我們看到這些事情的時機不對所以我們沒有看到善惡報應的全貌，也有可能是因為我們不夠用心去觀察生活周遭的事物。
不管如何，我認為報應這個事情是真實可靠的，或許有些時候報應發生的時間會延遲，但是我相信報應一定會發生。
一個人做好事與做壞事，都會影響到這個人的人生中是否可以享受福氣或者遭遇災禍，我認為這個觀念並非佛教所獨有，這個觀念是一個真理，是所有的學派都公認且確信的。
回顧我們中國的歷史書，我們可以看到在春秋時代有幾個著名的品德很高尚的人，這些人有些在非常年輕的時候就死去，有些在生前遭遇貧困與飢餓。
但在同一本歷史書中，我們也看到很多品德低劣的人在生前享受到快樂與榮耀，他們非常富有而且奢侈。
我們無法理解為其背後的原因為何，這個世界上沒有一種學說可以解釋這種令人感到困惑的情況，我認為佛教的這種輪迴與來生的觀念，可以讓我們理解這些矛盾的現象。
因為佛教認為人在今生做的好事與壞事不一定會在自已的這輩子中報應，其報應的發生往往發生在我們人們死亡後的輪迴後才出現。
我認為佛教的這種輪迴與來生的觀念，可以讓我們用平靜的心去看待那些生活中遇到的做好事有壞結果與做壞事有好結果的人，我們也才能夠安心且堅持的去做那些好事，我們也才能夠有信心持續地提升自己的道德水平。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是耳朵聽到與眼睛看到。
這句成語目前被用來形容一個人親身經歷的一件非常確實的經驗。
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。
你相信輪迴的觀念嗎?你如何看待那些好人遭受到災禍的事件呢?
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
Hearing and Seeing(耳聞目見)
This blog was created to introduce Chinese
culture to international readers. For the sake of simplicity and ease of
understanding, traditional titles such as 'Emperor' and 'King' have been
simplified to 'King', and the subjects' names are used directly wherever
possible. This is for the sake of translation convenience, not historical
accuracy. If you wish to consult rigorous historical sources, please refer to
the bibliographical references at the end of the article.
Following the end of the Jin dynasty in
China, the country entered a long period of chaos known to historians as the
Northern and Southern Dynasties period.
Buddhism was introduced to China in 67 AD
and, after nearly 400 years of development, reached its peak during the
Northern and Southern Dynasties period.
Due to the highly turbulent political and
economic situation during this period, characterised by frequent wars and rapid
regime changes, people felt 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 teachings. He believed in the existence of the world
described in Buddhist teachings — a world that is unseen by the naked eye and
imperceptible to the body.
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 continue to influence Chinese people to this day. One passage
from the book reads as follows:
Some people believe in Buddhism, while
others criticise it. I believe that everyone's actions will produce
corresponding results. If I were to describe the relationship between these
actions and their consequences, I would say that they are like a person and
their shadow, or a sound and its echo.
If we observe carefully enough, we can see
and hear countless examples of karmic retribution. Why haven't we noticed these
things happening around us? I believe it's because our disbelieving eyes
obscure the truth. Perhaps we see these things at the wrong time and fail to
see the full picture of good and evil karmic retribution. Or perhaps we haven't
observed the things around us attentively enough.'
Nevertheless, I believe that retribution is
a real and reliable phenomenon. Perhaps the timing of retribution is sometimes
delayed, but I believe it will definitely occur.
Whether a person does good or bad deeds
affects whether they will enjoy blessings or encounter misfortune in life. This
concept is not unique to Buddhism; it is a truth recognised and believed by all
schools of thought.
Looking back at Chinese history books, we
can see several famously virtuous people from the Spring and Autumn period.
Some of these people died young, while others experienced poverty and hunger
during their lifetimes.
However, the same history books also tell
of many people of low character who enjoyed happiness and glory in their
lifetimes. They were wealthy and lived in luxury.
The reasons behind this are unclear. No
theory in the world can explain this perplexing situation. I believe the
Buddhist concepts of reincarnation and the afterlife can help us to understand
these contradictory phenomena.
Buddhism teaches that good and bad deeds do
not necessarily bring retribution in this lifetime; often, retribution occurs
after death and reincarnation. I believe that Buddhist concepts of
reincarnation and rebirth enable us to observe calmly those we encounter in
life who experience negative outcomes for positive actions and positive outcomes
for negative actions. This enables us to perform good deeds peacefully and
consistently, and to have the confidence to continuously improve our moral
character.
This idiom directly translates to
"Hearing and Seeing:"
It is currently used to describe a very
real personal experience.
Dear friend, what insights or thoughts have
you gained from this story?
Do you believe in reincarnation? How do you
view events in which good people suffer misfortune?
I hope this story will provide you with
some new insights.