禮運大同篇（二）
Achieving Universal Harmony through the Use of Propriety
首先要背熟，深而思之，篤而行之。
First memorize it by heart, then deeply ponder it, and finally put it into practice.
◎宣化上人 開示
A talk given by Venerable Master Hsuan Hua
「壯有所用」：年輕力壯的人，一定要在社會服務，盡其所能，貢獻於國家。不可領失業救濟金，或福利金，否則成為國家的大包袱。應該努力工作，維持社會的秩序，不可遊手好閒，殃及國家。
Able-bodied adults are usefully employed: Young people with strong bodies must work and serve the society, and do their best to contribute to their country. They should not live on social welfare or unemployment benefits, because those cause them to become a great burden to society. People should work hard and maintain order in society, and not idly hang around causing trouble within the country.
「幼有所長」：年幼的兒童，必須好好教育他們，如何孝順父母，如何忠於國家，如何忠於職守。在這種教育長大，將來一定是優良的公民。
Children are reared properly: Young children should be taught how to be filial to their parents, how to be loyal to their country, and how to fulfill their duties faithfully. Children growing up with that kind of education will surely be fine citizens in the future.
「矜寡孤獨廢疾者」：「矜」，是憐愍、愛護、同情的意思。老而無妻為「鰥」，老而無夫為「寡」，幼年喪父母為「孤」，老年喪子女為「獨」，有殘廢的人為「廢」，有疾病的人為「疾」，這六種情形是世上最痛苦的人。
Widowers, widows, orphans, the childless aged, the handicapped and the ailing are well cared for: Be kind and compassionate toward, love and protect, and sympathize with widowers, old people who have no wives; widows, old people who have no husbands; orphans; childless seniors; the handicapped; and the ailing, people with sickness. Those six kinds of people are the most unfortunate ones in the world.
「皆有所養」：令這些不幸的人，生活得到安定，精神沒有威脅，生命有保障，國家設立種種機構，收養他們，治療他們。
They should live a secure and peaceful life that is free of any threats to their psychological wellbeing. Their lives should be protected. The government should set up various institutions to take them in and provide them with proper care.
「男有分」：男人有男人的本分、地位、責任，為國為家，要盡應盡的義務。不可好吃懶做，成為不良份子。
All men share their social responsibilities: Men have their duties, positions, and responsibilities. They should fulfill their obligations to their families and their country. They cannot be lazy or become deadbeats.
「女有歸」：婦女有所歸宿。相夫教子，作個賢妻良母，這就是女人的責任。各人安居於己之崗位，不錯位、不濫權，不可男女互相爭權，男主外，女主內。各有所主，各有所守。
All women have their respective roles: All women have families. They should assist their husbands, teach their children, and be able wives and good mothers. Those are the duties of women. Everyone is content with his or her position and role, and doesn't try to change it or abuse his or her rights. Men are in charge of external affairs and women of domestic affairs. Men and women shouldn't fight with each other for their rights. They should each have their respective responsibilities and rights.
中國主張男女有別，為避嫌疑，男女不交談，所謂「瓜田不納履，李下不正冠。」為維持禮教，男女保持距離，所謂「叔嫂不授受，長幼不並肩。」
The Chinese prefer men and women be separated. In order to avoid suspicion, men and women do not chat with each other. It is said, "Never bend down and put on your shoes in the middle of a melon patch; never get up and touch your hat while standing underneath a plum tree." In order to maintain propriety, men and women should keep some distance between each other. It is said, "A brother and a sister-in-law do not give things to or receive things from each other; adults and children do not walk side by side."
「貨惡其棄於地也」：「貨」指一切糧食和一切物資，「惡」是不願意的意思，「棄」是糟蹋、浪費、損失的意思。不可以將糧食糟蹋，不可以將物資浪費。好像現在糧食過剩的國家，不可以拋到大海中，不可用火焚掉，那是暴殄天物，將來必受報應。
Natural resources and commodities are not wasted: Natural resources and commodities refer to all kinds of food and commodities. We should not squander food or waste commodities. Countries with a surplus of agricultural produce should not dump the excess in the ocean or burn it up. That would be wasting natural resources, and it would surely bring on a retribution in the future.
「不必藏於己」：有物資要互相交換，不必藏私，認為奇貨可居，以待善價。更不可操縱把持，應該以貨易貨，公平交易，這個國家沒有，那個國家有，可以交換。利己利人，何樂而不為！如果不肯這樣做，那就是「貨棄於地藏於己」的行為。
Or appropriated for selfish ends: Commodities should be circulated, not hidden for selfish ends, hoarded for higher prices, or monopolized. There should be fair trading of commodities. One country should exchange its surplus goods with other countries to get the things it lacks. That is benefiting both self and others. Isn't that a positive thing to do? If we refuse to trade, it is the same as wasting goods or appropriating them for selfish ends.
「力惡其不出於身也」：力是能力，所學的本領技能，不是自己專用，而是要為世界人類服務，所謂「學以致用」。
People want to contribute their strength and ability to the society for public good: The knowledge and skills we have learned are not for our own use. Instead, they should be used to serve the people of the world. That is called "learning in order to put to good use."
「不必為己」：不為己謀。無論何事，不為自己打算，而為眾生著想。要有「捨己為人」的精神，這是做人起碼的道理。
Not for private gain: Never scheme for yourself. No matter what, you should make plans not just for yourself, but for all living beings. We must have this spirit of devoting ourselves to others; that is a basic principle of being a person.
「是故」：因為這種種的緣故，所以大家坦白率直，在世界上沒有的勾心鬥角的思想，沒有明爭暗奪的行為。
Because of the reasons given above, people are frank with each other and do not scheme or fight against each other either openly or covertly.
「謀閉而不興」：謀是計謀，關是關閉。計謀沒有了，把爭奪欺騙的門關上了，不會有「掛羊頭賣狗肉」的手段騙錢，這種不正當的行為，也不會興起了。
Deception and cheating cannot occur in such a society: There is no more deception. The door of fighting and cheating is closed. Dishonest tactics to cheat people of their money are not used. Such improper conduct no longer prevails.
「盜竊亂賊而不作」：明搶為「盜」，暗偷為「竊」，「亂賊」是造反的人。因為不公平，你有他沒有，才發生盜竊事件。如果人人生活安定，豐衣足食，盜竊自然消失。人民皆因饑荒而搞革命，弄得民不聊生，十室九空，流離失所，苦不堪言，所謂「勝者王侯，敗者賊」，也就是亂賊。如果人人有工作，人人有飯吃，亂賊自然消滅。
Robbery, larceny, rebellion, and other crimes all disappear: To take something by force is robbery; to steal it covertly is larceny; uprising against the government is rebellion. When there is unfairness, such as one person having things another one doesn't have, robbery and larceny will occur. If everyone lives a secure and peaceful life with adequate food and clothing, robbery and larceny will naturally disappear. People revolt when there are famines and they don't have enough to eat. When it is impossible to make a living, nine out of ten houses are deserted, their occupants becoming homeless wanderers. Such misery is unspeakable. It is said, "The winner becomes the king, and the losers become bandits," or rebels. If everyone is employed and well fed, rebels will naturally disappear.
「故外戶而不閉」：到了這種境界，沒有內憂，沒有外患，人人奉公守法。那時，路不拾遺，夜不閉戶，風調雨順，國泰民安。
Gates and doors are not locked: In this state of affairs, there are no internal troubles and no external calamities. Everyone abides by the law. At that time no one will take things found in the street that other people have lost. Since no one even thinks of stealing, doors and gates are not locked at night. The weather becomes temperate and the whole country becomes safe and peaceful.
「是謂大同」：這就是大同世界。人人不自私、不自利。人人公平，人人和樂，天下太平。
This is a world where harmony, equality, and justice prevail. No one is selfish or pursues personal advantage. Everyone is honest, just, happy, and friendly, and so the world is peaceful.
（編按：此篇乃萬佛聖城各階層學校的必修課。無論育良小學、培德中學、法界佛教大學的學生，首先要背熟，深而思之，篤而行之，此為本會辦義務教育，重整道德扭轉頹風，正化民心的基礎，來成就將來的大同世界。）
Editor's note: This essay of the Book of Rites is required course material in all the schools at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. All students of Instilling Goodness Elementary School, Developing Virtue Secondary School, and Dharma Realm Buddhist University must first memorize it, then deeply ponder it, and finally put it into practice. This is the basis upon which Dharma Realm Buddhist Association establishes its free education, reformation of social morals, reversal of the decadent trends of society, and rectifying of people's minds, in order to achieve a world of harmony, equality, and justice in the future.]
【編注】恭錄自《宣化上人中英開示錄（九）》，刊載於「法界佛教總會中文官網」。