建议

Making Suggestions

如今，许多高僧大德们在汉地建立了许多佛学院。无论是两年预科，还是四年本科，甚至研修班等，都建立了一整套完善的教学体系。这些学院戒律清净，教学有序，教学内容涵盖面很广，涉及显宗的各大经论。为各地寺院输送了大量高素质僧才，实在值得随喜、赞叹。

These days, many eminent monks and learned dignitaries have built Buddhist Academies in the Han Chinese region. These institutions provide an integrated education system, with two- and four-year programs, or even advanced study and training. Their curricula cover extensively the major scriptures and commentaries of Sutrayana; students are expected to advance in a progressive manner and to observe pure precepts. These academies have become a rich source of highly qualified monks and nuns for monasteries in various areas; it is truly a feat for all to rejoice and admire.

但美中不足的是，在教学当中往往将世间的自然科学与社会科学，作为学习的主要课程。实在令人遗憾。的确，为了度化不同根器的众生，应该学习世间理论。藏地佛学院也有大小五明学科。但如果将世间知识放在首位，实在是本末倒置的行为。而且，很多教学都只讲理论，不谈实修，许多出家多年的僧人，尚不知如何调服烦恼，更遑论调心。这不能说不是一个弊端。

But regrettably the curricula often list worldly social science and natural science as the main courses—a blemish on an otherwise excellent system. To be sure, understanding worldly theories is needed in order to guide people who have different capacities. Even in a Tibetan Buddhist academy, the curriculum includes Major and Minor Five Sciences. Yet giving mundane knowledge a premier spot in the curriculum is putting the cart before the horse. Furthermore, many programs only teach theoretical aspects while no actual practice is emphasized. Monks and nuns trained in this way, even after many years of schooling, will not know how to conquer their own negative emotions, let alone how to tame the mind. It’s definitely a big drawback.

另外，很多佛学院都聘请在家人担任法师。使我不得不看到在家人坐在高高的讲台上，出家人恭敬地坐于下端的情形。让分别念厚重、执著心很强的我，心里十分不是滋味。当然，有许多在家人知识渊博、修证很高，维摩诘就是以在家人形象度化众生的。但为什么不能培养一批出家人胜任此担呢？这也更符合佛教的历史传统。我想，即使改革创新，也没有必要抛弃这一规矩，汉地也不至于人才匮乏到如此地步吧！

Moreover, many such Buddhist Academies retain lay practitioners as Dharma teachers. It has become common to see a layperson sitting high up on the podium while monks or nuns sit below respectfully. With my conceptual and grasping mind, I can’t help feeling quite disturbed when this happens. Of course, among the laity there are many learned and highly realized practitioners. Vimalakirti, for one, appeared as a layperson to benefit beings. But why can’t the religious community train its monks and nuns to assume the responsibility for Dharma teaching? This will conform well to the Buddhist historical tradition. I think reform and innovation can be done without abandoning this set of rules. The Han Chinese area should not be so desperately in short supply of qualified talent!

今天于此胡言乱语一通，有否价值还望有智者思维。

Well, perhaps my talk today is quite worthless. But, does it make any sense? I welcome you to ponder it.

壬午年四月十四日 　
2002年5月25日 　

14th of April, Year of RenWu
May 25, 2002