建立良好關係與信任對於當今社會的重要性
The Importance of Building Good Relationships and Trust in Contemporary Society
主講：淨空老法師
Speaker: Venerable Master Chin Kung AM
時間：二Ο一八年十二月八日
Date: 8 December 2018
地點：澳洲圖文巴聖烏蘇拉學院教堂
Venue: The Chapel at St. Ursula’s College, Toowoomba, Australia
尊敬的安東尼奧市長、尊敬的麥古金主教、聖公會的卡梅倫·范尼伯主教、諸位宗教領袖與代表、諸位嘉賓、女士們、先生們，大家好！
Respected Mayor of the Toowoomba Regional Council, Cr Paul Antonio; the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba, Most Reverend Robert McGuckin; the Anglican Bishop for the Western Region, the Right Reverend Cameron Venables; faith representatives, friends from overseas, ladies and gentlemen, my warmest greetings to you!
此次承蒙主辦方圖文巴宗教合作團隊（TIWG）和澳洲淨宗學院，在圖文巴市召開「國際多元宗教和平會議」。看到來自澳洲與世界各地的宗教代表及嘉賓們能夠齊聚一堂，彼此交流，共商宗教團結與社會團結之大計，我們感到十分歡喜！淨空很榮幸，獲得大會的邀請，以「建立良好關係與信任對於當今社會的重要性」為分享的主題，在此向大家彙報自己的一些心得體會。
Thanks to the organizers, the Toowoomba Interfaith Working Group (TIWG) and the Pure Land Learning College Association, who hold International Interfaith Peace Conference in Toowoomba. It’s great to see religious representatives and guests from Australia and around the world come together to exchange ideas on interfaith harmony and social solidarity. I’m very honoured to be invited to share my thoughts on ‘The Importance of Building Good Relationships and Trust in Contemporary Society’.
社會，可以說是人與人所結合而成的一個有機共生體。我們每個人，都是這個共生體裡面的一個細胞，彼此互依互存，形成了一個複雜、不可分割的關係網絡。如同一個生命個體，內部各個細胞間的合作關係越是密切，這個生命體就會越加健康，越具有生命力。一株健康的植物，之所以能夠枝葉繁茂，那是因為它的根、幹、枝、葉中的每一個細胞，都是無私地為整體的生存發展而努力。而連結這些無數細胞的背後力量，追根究柢來說，其實是一種「彼此一體」的關係。
A society is an organic symbiosis in which people connect with one another. Everyone is a cell in the symbiosis that is interconnected and interdependent. With this interconnected relationship, everyone in the society forms a complex and inseparable relationship network. Like the system in an individual living being, the closer the cooperative relationships that the cells form, the healthier and more vigorous the living being will be. A plant is healthy and lush because every cell in its roots, stems, branches, and leaves work selflessly and tirelessly for the survival and development of the whole. In the final analysis, the power that connects these countless cells is a ‘one body’ relationship.
這種關係是自然的，當中沒有絲毫的勉強。如果各個細胞或各個器官之間，彼此互不理會、不願付出、甚至於是彼此競爭、衝突的話，那麼，這個生命勢必很快就會走向終結。因為這種不正常的內部關係，完全違反了大自然的生命之道。由此我們可以推想，當人與人之間的關係疏遠、冷漠、甚至於產生猜忌、競爭的時候，我們所組成的這個社會共生體，就會很容易喪失生機、產生病態。
This kind of relationship is formed naturally not involuntarily. If cells or organs of a living being are unwilling to take care of each other, unwilling to work for or have conflicts with each other, the life force of this living being will end quickly. This kind of abnormal internal relationship completely violates the way of life of nature. From this, we can conclude that if people drift apart and become indifferent, even to the point of becoming suspicious and competitive, the social symbiosis will easily lose vitality and become sick.
其實，關於這種生命內部，以及生命之間的「一體」關係，我們在母親與其嬰孩的互動之中，最容易觀察到。這種親子的互動關係，展現出了人與人之間最具有生命能量的一種連結力。在這種關係中，沒有冷漠、猜疑，沒有自私自利，而只有一種積極利他的「愛心」，以及一種毫無保留的信任。我們可以體會到，倘若缺乏了母親對於嬰孩的那分與生俱來的愛護之情，倘若嬰孩也失去了他對母親那種毫無保留的信任之心的話，那麼，人類必然無法繁衍生存。我們可以感受到，對於生命的延續與發展而言，似乎沒有任何一種生物性的力量，能夠與母親和嬰孩之間所存在的那種天然力量相提並論；此種無與倫比的天然力量，就是愛與信任︱︱無條件的愛心、以及毫無保留的絕對信任。
In fact, the inner meaning of life and the ‘oneness’ between life can be easily observed in the interaction between a mother and her child. The mother-child relationship shows the most powerful connection between people. In this relationship, there is no indifference, suspicion or selfishness. It only consists of an unconditional, selfless love and unconditional trust. We can see that, if a mother doesn’t have altruistic love for her child or if a child doesn’t have unreserved trust in the mother, human life would not continue for long. We can assume that, for the continuity and development of life, there is no other biological power that is stronger than that of mother-child relationship. The essence of this unparalleled power is love and trust. Unconditional love and absolute trust.
從這種維繫我們生命的，最原始、最珍貴的自然力量進行省思，我們可以體會到，維繫社會長遠生存的關鍵力量，應當也是「愛」與「信任」。當這兩種力量在社會中越來越薄弱的時候，人與人之間的聯繫就會越來越脆弱；而當它們近乎完全消失之時，人與人之間的連結便會徹底鬆散，經不起一點挑戰。
From this kind of the most primitive and precious natural forces that sustain our lives, we can see that the essential power for maintaining the long-term survival of society should be ‘love’ and ‘trust’.. When love and trust become increasingly weak in a society, the connections between people will become increasingly fragile. If love and trust hardly exist, the connections between people would completely collapse and would not withstand the smallest challenge.
母親與嬰孩之間的關係，可以說是人類關係最和諧的典範，這個典範對我們而言，非常親切，絕不遙遠。這種關係，我們越是觀察，就越會受到感動。和諧關係的最高峰，是「一體」；而我們都何其有幸，經常能夠在那些平凡的母子互動之中，親眼見到這種一體關係的展現。既然，這種純真的愛與信任，可以帶來最美好的和諧，那麼，我們就想到，為了自他關係上的和諧、為了整個地球社會的和諧，我們也應當要去和別人建立一種愛與信任的關係，要讓關愛、寬容，以及信賴，成為我們彼此連結的主軸；這樣，我們就會有希望，能夠為社會找到一條和諧發展的道路。
The mother-child relationship is the most harmonious model of human relationships. This relationship model is familiar to us. The closer we look at it, the more moved we feel. ‘Oneness’ is the pinnacle of a harmonious relationship. We are fortunate enough to observe this connection between mother and child. Since this pure love and trust can bring about the most harmonious human relationship, we should build interpersonal relationships as well as peace in the world and a harmonious society on the basis of love and trust. Let love, tolerance, and trust become pillars of all interpersonal relationships. We will thus have hope and will find a way to develop harmony for society.
和諧的內部關係，對於一個社會而言，是非常重要的。著名的英國歷史哲學家湯恩比博士曾經提醒我們，社會內部和諧的喪失，可以讓整個社會失去它應對生存問題的能力。湯氏觀察到，在人類歷史上，每一個文明瓦解的前夕，該文明內部的社會各個階層之間，都會呈現出彼此分裂的狀態。湯氏告訴我們，一個文明衰落的根本原因，與其走向衰落的終極標準，其實就是這種社會內部和諧的喪失。
Harmonious intra-organizational relationships are very important to a society. The distinguished British historian and philosopher, Dr Toynbee once reminded us that a loss of harmony in a society will inevitably lead to that society losing its ability to survive. Dr Toynbee found that, throughout history, on the eve of the collapse of every civilization, all levels of society within the civilization will be in a state of division. Dr Toynbee told us that the root cause of the decline of a civilization and the ultimate standard for its decline is actually the loss of harmony within this society.
從湯恩比博士的這些觀察與話語裡，我們可以體會到，「和諧」確實非常重要，「競爭與衝突」卻是十分可怕；前者是生存的跡象，後者則是毀滅的徵兆。因此，我們對此不得不有所警惕。我們談到了母親對於嬰孩的愛，以及嬰孩對於母親那分純真的信賴；其實，信賴亦是源自於沒有分別的愛心，源自於母子之間那種天然的「一體」的關係。因此，我們可以說，愛的連結，是人與人之間最強而有力的一種聯繫，它可以引領我們回歸到生命彼此同源的一體關係，回歸到那種最為純真的彼此信任。
From Dr Toynbee’s words, we can realise that ‘harmony’ is indeed very important. In contrast, ‘competition and conflict’ is truly frightening. Competition is a sign of fighting to get ahead; conflict precedes destruction. Understanding this, we must remain vigilant. We just talked about a mother’s love for her child and a child’s unconditional trust in the mother. Actually, trust originates from a love that does not differentiate and the ‘oneness’ relationship between a mother and her child. Therefore, we can say that love is the strongest connection between people. Love guides us back to the original oneness relationship of life and to the purest trust between people.
純真的愛心，會生發起各種良善的社會互動、會形成各種堅實、和諧的社會網絡；在這方面，世界各大宗教的經典與歷史，確實為我們帶來了巨大的信心以及更加深刻的反思。
Unconditional love will lead to various positive social interactions, which in turn form solid and harmonious social networks. The scriptures and history of the world’s major religions provide us greater confidence and deeper reflection.
在基督教的︽聖經︾裡，上帝對其子民說道：「母親怎樣安慰兒子，我就照樣安慰你們。」由這段經文可知，上帝是用一顆絕對純真、如母護子的愛心，去聯繫與幫助祂的子民。這種愛心所產生出來的連結動力，超越了時間與空間，長存到了今日。
In the Holy Bible, God said to his children, ‘As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you’. From this text, we can see that, God uses the same unconditional love towards his children as a mother for her child, to connect with and help his child. The power of unconditional love provides such a connection between God and his children that it transcends time and space, enduring till today.
伊斯蘭教的穆罕默德聖者，以及伊斯蘭教的歷史，也同樣在這方面給予了我們信心。歷史表明，在穆罕默德聖者從麥加聖地遷居到麥地那的時候，當時聖者已成功地讓伊斯蘭教傳播在許多阿拉伯半島人們的心中。當時的穆聖，絕對沒有任何強大的政治勢力或是武力可以強迫半島人民接受他的信仰，但是，他成功地用伊斯蘭的教育，去連結眾人之心，為該地區的安定和諧、為人民信仰與價值觀上的共識，帶來了強大的助力。
The Prophet Muhammed’s words and the history of Islam give us confidence as well. In the history of Islam, when the Prophet Muhammed fled from Mecca to Medina, he had succeeded in spreading Islam and won many followers on the Arabian Peninsula. The Prophet didn’t have any political or military power to force the people in Arabian Peninsula to accept the Islam belief. He connected with the hearts of people through Islamic education. This strongly bolstered the stability and harmony of the region as well as bringing people together in shared faith and values.
聖者之所以能夠如此，是因為他代表了真主來慈愛世人。我們在︽古蘭經︾中讀到，真主曾對穆聖說：「我派遣你，只為了憐憫全世界的人。」真主在經典中為我們講述了穆聖的存心，真主說：「他(穆聖)見你們受苦就感到心疼難受，他一心只為你們好；他對眾信士是倍加慈愛的，是大仁以待的。」從這裡，我們就可以體會到，穆聖對於眾人的愛心，確實是純真無偽的；也唯有如此的存心，方可真正地感化世人、團結社會人心。
The reason why the Prophet can do this is because he loves the people on behalf of Allah. In the Holy Quran, Allah told the Prophet Muhammad: ‘We have sent you for no other reason but to be a mercy for mankind’. Allah said in The Holy Quran: ‘There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.’ From this text, we can see that the Prophet’s love for people was sincere and merciful. Through this sincere and merciful heart, the Prophet was able to move and bring people together.
而當我們回顧基督教自新約以後數個世紀的時代時，我們同樣也會被這種由大愛所產生出來的社會團結力量所震撼、被它的精神統合力量所震撼。我們在︽新約聖經︾上看到，耶穌代表上帝天父來愛世人、來團結世人，而耶穌所派遣的使徒們，則又進一步地代表耶穌去愛世人。耶穌以他的大愛，為我們做出待人的典範，因此，他能夠以自己的德範去影響社會、團結社會。耶穌在《聖經》裡面對眾人說道：「你們要彼此相愛，像我愛你們一樣；這就是我的命令。」偉大的使徒們，把耶穌的大愛傳播到了四方，並且身體力行耶穌的博愛。而他們所造就出來的教化成果，便是接下來的數個世紀裡那個橫跨歐、亞、非三大洲的基督教世界——一個信仰與價值觀高度統合的世界，一個在心靈上彼此緊密聯繫的廣大世界。
When we examine the history of Christianity, in particular the time after the New Testament was written, we will be moved by the social and spiritual solidarity, which was manifested from the great love. We saw in The New Testament that Jesus represented God to love the world and bring people together. The apostles further loved people on behalf of Jesus. With his great love, Jesus was a role model to show us how to regard each other. Therefore, Jesus was able to influence and unify the society. In The Holy Bible, Jesus said: ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another even as I have loved you’. The apostles spread out Jesus’s great love to people and also practised the great love of Jesus. This led to a Christian world that in the following centuries spanned Europe, Asia and Africa. A world in which beliefs and values are integrated, one in which people’s minds are spiritually connected.
在︽聖經︾裡面，使徒保羅向我們闡述了此一高度成就背後的奧秘，他說道：「我們作基督的使徒，雖然可以叫人尊重，卻沒有向你們或向別人求榮耀，只在你們中間存心溫柔，如同母親乳養自己的孩子。」聖者保羅的這段話，向我們說明了古代使徒們的存心，也向我們說明了他們之所以能夠團結眾人、為社會帶來穩定和諧的原因。眾使徒為我們做出了典範，讓我們體會到應當如何在社會、群體之中，幫助人們構建起堅實、和諧的聯繫。愛的典範十分重要，使徒們身體力行耶穌對眾人的大愛，因此，當他們勸導眾人要彼此憐憫、相愛的時候，他們的教誨就可以產生出強大的社會團結力量，其力量影響不僅展現於當時，還深深影響了後世。
In the Bible, Paul the Apostle narrated the secret behind this success. He said: ‘Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children’. Saint Paul’s words showed us the intentions of the apostles, how they could unify people and bring harmony and stability to the society. The apostles are the role model to us, showing us how to help people form solid and harmonious relationships within communities and society. The model of love is very important. The apostles practiced Jesus’ great love. As the apostles practised the Jesus’ great love, when they told people to be compassionate and to love one another, their teachings manifested a power leading to strong social solidarity. These teachings were not only influential in ancient time, but have continued up to the present time.
在佛教方面，佛陀在經典中，也向我們說明了諸佛菩薩是以什麼樣的存心，去幫助眾生。︽大乘無量壽經︾用一句話，濃縮出聖者們的存心，經文說：「於諸眾生，視若自己」；而這種存心，也正是佛典裡面所說的「大悲為根」！有這種一體慈愛的存心，才能夠得到眾人的信任，才能建立起良善的人際關係，乃至於建造出一個最為和諧安樂的社會。這種心念所造就出來的和諧社會，就是佛家所講的極樂世界，也是宗教裡所講的天國、天園。上帝、真主、佛陀，他們為我們做出了慈愛的榜樣，讓我們看到那些神聖天國的因因果果；我們要向他們學習，學習如何去愛世人，幫助世人都能夠彼此互愛互信，創造人間天堂。
In the Buddhist sutras as well, the Buddha showed us the intentions of Buddhas and bodhisattvas in helping all beings. In the Infinite Life Sutra, the intentions of the sages was epitomized in one sentence: ‘They regarded all beings as they would themselves’. These intentions are: ‘Great compassion is the root’. Having compassion for all beings, we will be able to obtain people’s trust, form harmonious relationships with others, and even build a harmonious and happy society. A harmonious society created from this mind is the Pure Land spoken of by Buddhists and heaven and the heavenly garden spoken of in religions. God, Allah, and the Buddha are role models for compassion and mercy, showing us the causality for going to heaven. We need to learn from them, learn how to love people and help them love and trust one another. Creating a heaven on earth.
在前面，我們提到了母親與嬰孩之間那種愛與信任，是人類關係最美好的典範。但是，我們知道，因為後天的習染，我們在成長的過程中，時常會與這種原始的真愛之心漸行漸遠。在這種情形下，我們應該如何去和他人建構起良善和諧的關係，以此來為社會的整體安定貢獻心力？我們相信，在這方面，最終我們還是要回歸到各大宗教經典所教導我們的智慧。
As I mentioned earlier, the love and trust between a mother and her child is the best model for human relationships. However, with our acquired bad habits, we gradually drifted away from this unconditional love as we grew up. In light of this, how can we form harmonious relationships with others and thus contribute to the overall stability of society? We believe that people will eventually return to the wisdom taught in major religious scriptures.
關於這種建立良好關係的方法，我時常都會與大家分享佛陀在經典裡面所教導我們的一套公共關係法，它的名稱叫做「四攝法」。它是與人建立良好關係的四項實際方法，內容依序是「布施」、「愛語」、「利行」以及「同事」。我們多年來團結宗教、團結族群，就是用這四種方法，效果非常卓著，非常實用。
When it comes to forming good relationships with others, I often share the public relations principles found in Buddhist sutras: the ‘four all-embracing methods’. It is a practical method for forming good interpersonal relationships, and consists of giving, kind words, beneficial acts, and cooperation. For many years, we have used this method to cooperate with other religions and ethnic groups. The results are significant.
第一條「布施」，是指人與人之間交往時，要多請客、多送禮、多多給予他人無條件的幫助。第二條「愛語」，是指我們要在言語上去關愛他人，要說那些真正愛護對方的言語，讓對方感受到關懷、感受到溫暖。接下來的「力行」，是指要去做對於對方有利益的事，絕不能去做一些損他利己的事。凡所從事，都要以對方的利益為出發點，這一點非常重要。最後一條是「同事」，這是指我們可以歡歡喜喜參與對方的一些日常活動。例如，我們可以多參與、贊助各宗教團體所籌畫的社會救助活動、道德教育活動、宗教教育活動等等。這四項方法，當中有一個關鍵點，那就是，當我們越是能夠發出真誠心去關愛他人的時候，我們對於這四種方法的落實，就會越有深度、越有廣度，效果也會越加卓著。
The first principle is giving, which means being generous and helping others unconditionally. The second principle is ‘kind words’, which means saying caring words and making people feel warm and supported. The third principle is ‘beneficial acts’, which means doing things for others’ benefits instead of our personal gains. It’s very important that whatever we do, we always put others’ interests as the top priority. The last principle is ‘cooperation’, which means happily participating in events organised by others. For example, we can participate in and support charitable activities, moral education, and religious education, etc. organised by other religious communities. The key point of this method is to have sincerity in caring for and loving others. If we practise these principles with sincerity, we will achieve deeper, broader and more significant result.
人與人之間、族群與族群之間、宗教與宗教之間，都應當要時常往來，建立起良好的感情；倘若彼此壁壘分明，從不往來，那就會容易引發彼此之間的誤解與猜忌，也會容易讓一些野心家有機可乘，從中挑撥是非，造成社會動盪。我們很歡喜，看到圖文巴市為多元宗教與族群之間的溝通、團結，做出了榜樣，這個榜樣，感動了許多崇尚和平的志士仁人，這當中包括了聯合國教科文組織的許多大使代表。
Between people, ethnic groups and religious groups, it is important to meet often to form good relationships. In contrast, if people build barriers and don’t want to communicate with each other, it will lead to misunderstanding and suspicion. This would give opportunists a chance to incite quarrels among or within communities, leading to social unrest. We’re pleased that Toowoomba is becoming a role model for intercultural and interfaith harmony. This model has touched many peace-loving people, including ambassadors of UNESCO.
這些年來，我們積極學習各大宗教的經典，內心感到無比的法喜。最後，淨空在此恭誦基督教與伊斯蘭教的兩段經文。這兩段法語，是我終身學習的典範，它們是上帝的神聖使者們對於人類的祝福與引導。經文說：「你們都要同心，彼此體恤，相愛如兄弟，存慈憐、謙卑的心。」下一段經文說：「你看眾信士們，彼此互相慈憫、友愛關懷，如同一個機體；一個肢體生病時，整個身體，都將因此而遭受煎熬。」以上這兩段經文，分別是使徒聖彼得在︽聖經︾裡的教誨，以及穆罕默德聖者在伊斯蘭︽聖訓︾中的教誨。希望我們都能夠彼此勉勵，積極落實這些神聖的教導，讓我們自己社會的內部成員，乃至於全世界的所有人們，都能夠彼此緊密相連，彼此信賴，彼此扶持，共創和諧美好的大同世界。
Over the years, we have been learning religious sacred texts proactively and experiencing the Dharma joy from studying these texts. Finally, I would like to sincerely quote from Christian and Islamic sacred texts. These two excerpts have served as my guidelines for lifelong learning. The texts are God’s sacred messengers’ blessings and guidance to humanity. The first excerpt is: ‘All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.’ The second excerpt is: ‘You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.’ These two excerpts are from St. Peter’s words in The Holy Bible and the Prophet Muhammed's teaching in the Sahih al-Bukhari. By sharing these texts, I hope we can encourage each other to proactively put these sacred teachings into practice and thus build trusting and solid relationships with members within communities and even with all people around the world to help each other and create a harmonious and beautiful world.
最後，祝福本次會議順利圓滿！祝福在座諸位幸福安康！祝福各大宗教相互學習，深化團結，幫助世界化解一切衝突！祝福澳洲與世界各國國運昌隆，國泰民安！祝福世界安定和平，盛世大同！謝謝大家！
In conclusion, I would like to send my sincerest wish for a successful conference! May happiness and well-being be with every guest! May religions learn from each other, resolve conflicts, deepen their friendships and bring peace to the world. May Australia and every country in the world be stable and prosperous. May the world be peaceful and happy. May universal harmony be with the world! Thank you very much!