《尤兰提亚之书》英文版自 2006 年起在全球范围内属于公共领域.
翻译: © 2015 Urantia Foundation
THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS
世界诸宗教
1955 131:0.1 DURING the Alexandrian sojourn of Jesus, Gonod, and Ganid, the young man spent much of his time and no small sum of his father’s money making a collection of the teachings of the world’s religions about God and his relations with mortal man. Ganid employed more than threescore learned translators in the making of this abstract of the religious doctrines of the world concerning the Deities. And it should be made plain in this record that all these teachings portraying monotheism were largely derived, directly or indirectly, from the preachments of the missionaries of Machiventa Melchizedek, who went forth from their Salem headquarters to spread the doctrine of one God—the Most High—to the ends of the earth.
2015 131:0.1 在耶稣、戈纳德和甘尼德的亚历山大旅居其间,甘尼德这个年轻人花了很多时间以及他父亲不少钱财收集世界诸宗教关于神以及他与凡人关系的教导。甘尼德在制作这个世界有关神灵之宗教教义的摘要过程中,雇佣了六十多个博学的翻译家。在这一记录中应清楚说明这一点,所有这些描述一神论的教导,很大程度上直接或间接源自玛可文塔•麦基洗德所派传教士们的讲道,他们从其撒冷总部出来,将一神 -- 即极高者的教义传播到世界上各个角落。
1955 131:0.2 There is presented herewith an abstract of Ganid’s manuscript, which he prepared at Alexandria and Rome, and which was preserved in India for hundreds of years after his death. He collected this material under ten heads, as follows:
2015 131:0.2 本篇文章附呈甘尼德手稿的一份摘要,他在亚历山大和罗马准备了这一手稿,在他死后它在印度被保留了数百年。他按如下十个专题收集了这一材料:
1. CYNICISM
1. 犬儒主义
1955 131:1.1 The residual teachings of the disciples of Melchizedek, excepting those which persisted in the Jewish religion, were best preserved in the doctrines of the Cynics. Ganid’s selection embraced the following:
2015 131:1.1 麦基洗德门徒们的残余教导,除了存留在犹太教中的那些以外,在犬儒学派的学说中得到了最好保留。甘尼德的选集包含了以下内容:
1955 131:1.2 “God is supreme; he is the Most High of heaven and earth. God is the perfected circle of eternity, and he rules the universe of universes. He is the sole maker of the heavens and the earth. When he decrees a thing, that thing is. Our God is one God, and he is compassionate and merciful. Everything that is high, holy, true, and beautiful is like our God. The Most High is the light of heaven and earth; he is the God of the east, the west, the north, and the south.
1955 131:1.3 “Even if the earth should pass away, the resplendent face of the Supreme would abide in majesty and glory. The Most High is the first and the last, the beginning and the end of everything. There is but this one God, and his name is Truth. God is self-existent, and he is devoid of all anger and enmity; he is immortal and infinite. Our God is omnipotent and bounteous. While he has many manifestations, we worship only God himself. God knows all—our secrets and our proclamations; he also knows what each of us deserves. His might is equal to all things.
2015 131:1.3 “即便大地消失,至高者的光辉面容也将居于威严和荣耀之中。这位极高者是一切之最初和最终,起始和终结。只有这一神,他的名字是真理。神是自存的,他没有任何愤怒和敌意;他是不朽的和无限的。我们的神是全能的和慷慨的。尽管他有许多显现,但我们却都只崇拜神本身。神知晓一切 -- 我们的秘密和我们的宣告;他也知晓我们每个人应得什么。他的力量胜过万物。
1955 131:1.4 “God is a peace giver and a faithful protector of all who fear and trust him. He gives salvation to all who serve him. All creation exists in the power of the Most High. His divine love springs forth from the holiness of his power, and affection is born of the might of his greatness. The Most High has decreed the union of body and soul and has endowed man with his own spirit. What man does must come to an end, but what the Creator does goes on forever. We gain knowledge from the experience of man, but we derive wisdom from the contemplation of the Most High.
2015 131:1.4 “神是所有敬畏和信任他的所有人之和平给予者和忠诚保护者。他给予所有服侍者以拯救。一切造物存在于极高者的权能之中。他的神性之爱从他神圣之权能中涌出,深情自他伟大之力量中生出。极高者命定了身体与灵魂的合一,并将他自身的灵赋予了人。人之所为必会告终,但造物主之所为却会永远继续下去。我们从人类经历中获得知识,但我们却会从对极高者的沉思中获得智慧。
1955 131:1.5 “God pours rain upon the earth, he causes the sun to shine upon the sprouting grain, and he gives us the abundant harvest of the good things of this life and eternal salvation in the world to come. Our God enjoys great authority; his name is Excellent and his nature is unfathomable. When you are sick, it is the Most High who heals you. God is full of goodness toward all men; we have no friend like the Most High. His mercy fills all places and his goodness encompasses all souls. The Most High is changeless; and he is our helper in every time of need. Wherever you turn to pray, there is the face of the Most High and the open ear of our God. You may hide yourself from men, but not from God. God is not a great distance from us; he is omnipresent. God fills all places and lives in the heart of the man who fears his holy name. Creation is in the Creator and the Creator in his creation. We search for the Most High and then find him in our hearts. You go in quest of a dear friend, and then you discover him within your soul.
2015 131:1.5 “神把雨洒在地上,他使阳光照在秧苗上,他在此生给我们以好事之丰足收获,在来世给予永恒拯救。我们的神享有极大权威;他的名字是极好的,他的本性是莫测的。当你生病时,正是极高者治愈了你。神对所有人充满良善;我们没有朋友像极高者这样。他的仁慈充满各处,他的良善涵盖所有灵魂。极高者是不变的;他在每次所需之时都是我们的助手。无论你转向何处祈祷,总会有极高者的面容和我们神愿意聆听的耳朵。你或许可以避开人们,但你却无法避开神。神离我们并不遥远;他是全在的。神布满各处,并活在敬畏他圣名之人的心中。造物在造物主之中,造物主也在造物之中。我们寻求极高者,之后发现他在我们心中。你寻求一个亲爱的朋友,之后你会发现他在你灵魂之中。
1955 131:1.6 “The man who knows God looks upon all men as equal; they are his brethren. Those who are selfish, those who ignore their brothers in the flesh, have only weariness as their reward. Those who love their fellows and who have pure hearts shall see God. God never forgets sincerity. He will guide the honest of heart into the truth, for God is truth.
2015 131:1.6 “知神之人视所有人为平等的;他们是他的兄弟。那些自私者,那些忽视他们肉身兄弟者,只会拥有倦怠作为其报偿。那些热爱其同伴者和那些拥有纯粹心灵者将会看到神。神永不会忘记真诚,他将会引导诚实心灵进入真理,因为神就是真理。
1955 131:1.7 “In your lives overthrow error and overcome evil by the love of the living truth. In all your relations with men do good for evil. The Lord God is merciful and loving; he is forgiving. Let us love God, for he first loved us. By God’s love and through his mercy we shall be saved. Poor men and rich men are brothers. God is their Father. The evil you would not have done you, do not to others.
2015 131:1.7 “在你们的生活中,通过对鲜活真理的爱推翻谬误,克服邪恶。在你们与人们所有关系中,以德报怨。上主神是仁慈和博爱的;他是宽容的。让我们爱神吧,因为他首先爱我们。经由神之爱并通过他之仁慈,我们将被拯救。穷人和富人是兄弟。神是他们的父。己所不欲,勿施于人。
1955 131:1.8 “At all times call upon his name, and as you believe in his name, so shall your prayer be heard. What a great honor it is to worship the Most High! All the worlds and the universes worship the Most High. And with all your prayers give thanks—ascend to worship. Prayerful worship shuns evil and forbids sin. At all times let us praise the name of the Most High. The man who takes shelter in the Most High conceals his defects from the universe. When you stand before God with a clean heart, you become fearless of all creation. The Most High is like a loving father and mother; he really loves us, his children on earth. Our God will forgive us and guide our footsteps into the ways of salvation. He will take us by the hand and lead us to himself. God saves those who trust him; he does not compel man to serve his name.
2015 131:1.8 “时刻呼叫他的名。当你相信他的名,你的祈祷也会被听到。崇拜极高者是一个多么大的荣耀!所有世界和宇宙都崇拜极高者。用你所有的祈祷给予感谢 -- 上升到崇拜。虔诚崇拜会避恶禁罪。时刻让我们赞美极高者之名。在极高者身中避难之人会从宇宙中掩蔽其不足。当你怀着一颗纯洁之心站在神面前,你会对一切造物无所畏惧。极高者像博爱的父母;他真的爱我们、他世上的子女。我们的神会宽恕我们,引导我们进入拯救之路的脚步。他会手拉我们,将我们带向他自身。神会拯救那些信任他的人;他并不强迫人服务于他的名。
1955 131:1.9 “If the faith of the Most High has entered your heart, then shall you abide free from fear throughout all the days of your life. Fret not yourself because of the prosperity of the ungodly; fear not those who plot evil; let the soul turn away from sin and put your whole trust in the God of salvation. The weary soul of the wandering mortal finds eternal rest in the arms of the Most High; the wise man hungers for the divine embrace; the earth child longs for the security of the arms of the Universal Father. The noble man seeks for that high estate wherein the soul of the mortal blends with the spirit of the Supreme. God is just: What fruit we receive not from our plantings in this world we shall receive in the next.”
2015 131:1.9 “对极高者的信仰已进入你心灵,那么在你生活的所有日子中,你将会远离恐惧。不要由于不敬畏神之人的兴盛而令你自己烦恼;不要害怕那些密谋邪恶之人;让灵魂避开罪恶,将你全然的信任置于拯救之神身上。彷徨凡人的倦怠灵魂会在极高者怀中找到永恒安息;明智之人渴求神的拥抱;世上子女渴求万有之父怀抱的安全。高贵之人寻求那一高等身份,凡人灵魂在那其中与至高者之灵融合。神是公正的:我们未在此世我们的播种中收获的果实,我们将会在来世收获。”
2. JUDAISM
2. 犹太教
1955 131:2.1 The Kenites of Palestine salvaged much of the teaching of Melchizedek, and from these records, as preserved and modified by the Jews, Jesus and Ganid made the following selection:
2015 131:2.1 巴勒斯坦的基尼人抢救了麦基洗德的许多教导,从这些由犹太人所保留和修改了的记载中,耶稣和甘尼德做了以下收集:
1955 131:2.2 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and all things therein. And, behold, all he created was very good. The Lord, he is God; there is none beside him in heaven above or upon the earth beneath. Therefore shall you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day after day utters speech; night after night shows knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. The Lord’s work is great, and in wisdom has he made all things; the greatness of the Lord is unsearchable. He knows the number of the stars; he calls them all by their names.
1955 131:2.3 “The power of the Lord is great and his understanding infinite. Says the Lord: ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ God reveals the deep and secret things because the light dwells with him. The Lord is merciful and gracious; he is long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth. The Lord is good and upright; the meek will he guide in judgment. Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who trusts God. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
1955 131:2.4 “The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him and his righteousness even to our children’s children. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his creation; he heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Whither shall I go from God’s spirit? whither shall I flee from the divine presence? Thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place; also with him who is of a contrite heart and a humble spirit!’ None can hide himself from our God, for he fills heaven and earth. Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice. Let all nations say: The Lord reigns! Give thanks to God, for his mercy endures forever.
1955 131:2.5 “The heavens declare God’s righteousness, and all the people have seen his glory. It is God who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. His mercy is everlasting, and his truth endures to all generations. Our God is governor among the nations. Let the earth be filled with his glory! O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful gifts to the children of men!
1955 131:2.6 “God has made man a little less than divine and has crowned him with love and mercy. The Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; the knowledge of the Supreme is understanding. Says the Almighty God: ‘Walk before me and be perfect.’ Forget not that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. He who rules his own spirit is mightier than he who takes a city. Says the Lord God, the Holy One: ‘In returning to your spiritual rest shall you be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’ They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint. The Lord shall give you rest from your fear. Says the Lord: ‘Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.’
1955 131:2.7 “God is our Father; the Lord is our redeemer. God has created the universal hosts, and he preserves them all. His righteousness is like the mountains and his judgment like the great deep. He causes us to drink of the river of his pleasures, and in his light we shall see light. It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to the Most High; to show forth loving-kindness in the morning and the divine faithfulness every night. God’s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness. Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for God is with me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
1955 131:2.8 “Yahweh is the God of my salvation; therefore in the divine name will I put my trust. I will trust in the Lord with all my heart; I will lean not upon my own understanding. In all my ways I will acknowledge him, and he shall direct my paths. The Lord is faithful; he keeps his word with those who serve him; the just shall live by his faith. If you do not well, it is because sin lies at the door; men reap the evil they plough and the sin they sow. Fret not yourself because of evildoers. If you regard iniquity in your heart, the Lord will not hear you; if you sin against God, you also wrong your own soul. God will bring every man’s work to judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
1955 131:2.9 “The Lord is near all who call upon him in sincerity and in truth. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. A merry heart does good like a medicine. No good thing will God withhold from those who walk uprightly. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Thus says the Lord who created the heavens and who formed the earth: ‘There is no God beside me, a just God and a savior. Look to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. If you seek me, you shall find me if you search for me with all your heart.’ The meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Whoever sows iniquity shall reap calamity; they who sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind.
1955 131:2.10 “‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’ But there is no peace for the wicked; it is your own sins which have withheld the good things from you. God is the health of my countenance and the joy of my soul. The eternal God is my strength; he is our dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. The Lord is near to those who are brokenhearted; he saves all who have a childlike spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous man, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Commit your way to the Lord—trust him—and he will bring it to pass. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
1955 131:2.11 “Love your neighbor as yourself; bear a grudge against no man. Whatsoever you hate do to no man. Love your brother, for the Lord has said: ‘I will love my children freely.’ The path of the just is as a shining light which shines more and more until the perfect day. They who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. Let the wicked forsake his evil way and the unrighteous man his rebellious thoughts. Says the Lord: ‘Let them return to me, and I will have mercy on them; I will abundantly pardon.’
1955 131:2.12 “Says God, the creator of heaven and earth: ‘Great peace have they who love my law. My commandments are: You shall love me with all your heart; you shall have no gods before me; you shall not take my name in vain; remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; honor your father and mother; you shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not covet.’
1955 131:2.13 “And to all who love the Lord supremely and their neighbors like themselves, the God of heaven says: ‘I will ransom you from the grave; I will redeem you from death. I will be merciful to your children, as well as just. Have I not said of my creatures on earth, you are the sons of the living God? And have I not loved you with an everlasting love? Have I not called you to become like me and to dwell forever with me in Paradise?’”
3. BUDDHISM
3. 佛教
1955 131:3.1 Ganid was shocked to discover how near Buddhism came to being a great and beautiful religion without God, without a personal and universal Deity. However, he did find some record of certain earlier beliefs which reflected something of the influence of the teachings of the Melchizedek missionaries who continued their work in India even to the times of Buddha. Jesus and Ganid collected the following statements from the Buddhist literature:
2015 131:3.1 甘尼德惊讶地发现,佛教是多么接近成为一种无神的、没有人格性万有神灵的伟大美好宗教。然而,他的确发现某些较早期信仰的一些记载,它们反映了麦基洗德的传教士们诸多教导的某种影响,他们在印度继续他们的工作乃至到佛陀的时代。耶稣和甘尼德从佛教文献中收集了以下陈述:
1955 131:3.2 “Out of a pure heart shall gladness spring forth to the Infinite; all my being shall be at peace with this supermortal rejoicing. My soul is filled with content, and my heart overflows with the bliss of peaceful trust. I have no fear; I am free from anxiety. I dwell in security, and my enemies cannot alarm me. I am satisfied with the fruits of my confidence. I have found the approach to the Immortal easy of access. I pray for faith to sustain me on the long journey; I know that faith from beyond will not fail me. I know my brethren will prosper if they become imbued with the faith of the Immortal, even the faith that creates modesty, uprightness, wisdom, courage, knowledge, and perseverance. Let us forsake sorrow and disown fear. By faith let us lay hold upon true righteousness and genuine manliness. Let us learn to meditate on justice and mercy. Faith is man’s true wealth; it is the endowment of virtue and glory.
2015 131:3.2 “喜乐必将自一颗纯净之心涌向无限者;所有我之存在必将与这一超凡欣喜和平相处。我的灵魂充满满足,我的心灵流溢平安信任之乐。我没有恐惧;我没有焦虑。我处于安定之中,我的敌手无法令我惊恐。我对我信心之果感到满足。我发现接近不朽者容易达到。我祈求信仰令我保持在漫长旅途中;我知晓来自彼岸之信仰不会令我失败。我知晓我的兄弟们若与对不朽者之信仰、那一产生了谦逊、正直、智慧、勇气、知识和毅力之信仰相融合便会兴盛。让我们抛弃悲伤,摆脱恐惧,依靠信仰让我们把握住真正公义和真正刚毅。让我们学习沉思公平和仁慈,信仰是人的真正财富;它是美德和荣耀之赋与。
1955 131:3.3 “Unrighteousness is contemptible; sin is despicable. Evil is degrading, whether held in thought or wrought out in deeds. Pain and sorrow follow in the path of evil as the dust follows the wind. Happiness and peace of mind follow pure thinking and virtuous living as the shadow follows the substance of material things. Evil is the fruit of wrongly directed thinking. It is evil to see sin where there is no sin; to see no sin where there is sin. Evil is the path of false doctrines. Those who avoid evil by seeing things as they are gain joy by thus embracing the truth. Make an end of your misery by loathing sin. When you look up to the Noble One, turn away from sin with a whole heart. Make no apology for evil; make no excuse for sin. By your efforts to make amends for past sins you acquire strength to resist future tendencies thereto. Restraint is born of repentance. Leave no fault unconfessed to the Noble One.
2015 131:3.3 “不义是可鄙的;罪恶是卑劣的。邪恶是可耻的,无论是在想法上持有,还是在行为上做出。痛苦和悲伤会跟随邪恶之路,正如尘随风一样。幸福与心安会跟随纯净思维和高尚生活,正如影随形一样。邪恶是受误导思维之果。正是邪恶令在无罪之地看到罪;在有罪之地看不到罪。邪恶是错误教义之路。通过如实看事情而避免邪恶的那些人,经由如此拥抱真理而获得喜悦。通过憎恶罪恶来结束你的痛苦。当你仰望圣者,怀着全心背离罪恶。不因邪恶致歉;不因罪恶找借口。通过你弥补过去罪恶之努力,你会获得力量去抵抗未来对那的倾向。克制生于悔改。对于圣者,不要留下任何未忏悔的罪错。
1955 131:3.4 “Cheerfulness and gladness are the rewards of deeds well done and to the glory of the Immortal. No man can rob you of the liberty of your own mind. When the faith of your religion has emancipated your heart, when the mind, like a mountain, is settled and immovable, then shall the peace of the soul flow tranquilly like a river of waters. Those who are sure of salvation are forever free from lust, envy, hatred, and the delusions of wealth. While faith is the energy of the better life, nevertheless, must you work out your own salvation with perseverance. If you would be certain of your final salvation, then make sure that you sincerely seek to fulfill all righteousness. Cultivate the assurance of the heart which springs from within and thus come to enjoy the ecstasy of eternal salvation.
2015 131:3.4 “欢快和喜悦是对不朽者之荣耀所做善行的回报。无人可夺走你自心之自由,当你宗教之信仰释放了你的心灵,当心像山一样得以安定不移,那么灵魂之平安就会像河水一样平静流淌。那些对救赎确信之人会永远免于欲望、嫉妒、仇恨和对财富之妄想。尽管信仰是更美好生活之能量,但你必须要有毅力争取你自己的救赎。若你愿确信你最终救赎,那就要确保你真诚寻求实现一切正义。培养发自内心之心灵确信,由此来享受永恒救赎之狂喜。
1955 131:3.5 “No religionist may hope to attain the enlightenment of immortal wisdom who persists in being slothful, indolent, feeble, idle, shameless, and selfish. But whoso is thoughtful, prudent, reflective, fervent, and earnest—even while he yet lives on earth—may attain the supreme enlightenment of the peace and liberty of divine wisdom. Remember, every act shall receive its reward. Evil results in sorrow and sin ends in pain. Joy and happiness are the outcome of a good life. Even the evildoer enjoys a season of grace before the time of the full ripening of his evil deeds, but inevitably there must come the full harvest of evil-doing. Let no man think lightly of sin, saying in his heart: ‘The penalty of wrongdoing shall not come near me.’ What you do shall be done to you, in the judgment of wisdom. Injustice done to your fellows shall come back upon you. The creature cannot escape the destiny of his deeds.
2015 131:3.5 “没有任何一个保持昏沉、懒惰、脆弱、无所事事、无耻、自私的虔信者会指望达到具有不朽智慧之开悟。但任何一个深思、谨慎、反思、热切、认真之人,即便他还活在世上,他也可达至至高平和之开悟和神圣智慧之解脱。要记住,每个行为都将得到回报。邪恶导致悲伤,罪恶终于痛苦。喜悦和幸福是良善生活的结果。即便作恶者在其恶行完全成熟之前也会享有一段恩典,但不可避免的是,恶行之全面报应必定会到来。任何人都不要轻视罪恶,在心中说:‘恶行之惩罚不会靠近我。’你所做必定会依照智慧之公正回到你身上。对你同伴所做之不公,必会回到你身上。受造物无法逃避他行为之天命。
1955 131:3.6 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘Evil shall not overtake me’; but safety is found only when the soul craves reproof and the mind seeks wisdom. The wise man is a noble soul who is friendly in the midst of his enemies, tranquil among the turbulent, and generous among the grasping. Love of self is like weeds in a goodly field. Selfishness leads to grief; perpetual care kills. The tamed mind yields happiness. He is the greatest of warriors who overcomes and subdues himself. Restraint in all things is good. He alone is a superior person who esteems virtue and is observant of his duty. Let not anger and hate master you. Speak harshly of no one. Contentment is the greatest wealth. What is given wisely is well saved. Do not to others those things you would not wish done to you. Pay good for evil; overcome evil with the good.
2015 131:3.6 “愚者在心中说,‘邪恶必不会轮到我’;只有当灵魂渴求责备、心智寻求智慧时才会找到平安。智者是在其敌者中间友好、在暴者中间平静、在贪者中间慷慨之高贵灵魂。自私之爱犹如良田中之杂草。自私会导致悲痛;持久照管会杀死它。驯服之心会产生幸福,克服并战胜自己之人是最伟大的斗士。在万事中克制是善的。尊重美德、遵从职责之人本身是一个上等之人。不要让愤怒和仇恨掌控你。不要对任何人说话严厉。知足是最大财富。明智给予之物会得以好好存留。己所不欲,勿施于人。以善报恶,以善治恶。
1955 131:3.7 “A righteous soul is more to be desired than the sovereignty of all the earth. Immortality is the goal of sincerity; death, the end of thoughtless living. Those who are earnest die not; the thoughtless are dead already. Blessed are they who have insight into the deathless state. Those who torture the living will hardly find happiness after death. The unselfish go to heaven, where they rejoice in the bliss of infinite liberality and continue to increase in noble generosity. Every mortal who thinks righteously, speaks nobly, and acts unselfishly shall not only enjoy virtue here during this brief life but shall also, after the dissolution of the body, continue to enjoy the delights of heaven.”
2015 131:3.7 “正义之魂比所有世间统治权更令人向往。不死是真诚者之目标;死则是轻率生活之结局。热切者不会死;轻率者已死。对不死状态拥有洞见者是有福的。折磨生者之人死后鲜会找到幸福。无私者会去往天上,他们会在那儿怀着无限自由之极乐而庆祝,并怀着高贵大方而继续提升。每个思想正直、言谈高尚、行为无私之人不仅会在这一简短人生期间享有这里的美德,在身体分解之后,他会继续享有天上之喜乐。”
4. HINDUISM
4. 印度教
1955 131:4.1 The missionaries of Melchizedek carried the teachings of the one God with them wherever they journeyed. Much of this monotheistic doctrine, together with other and previous concepts, became embodied in the subsequent teachings of Hinduism. Jesus and Ganid made the following excerpts:
2015 131:4.1 麦基洗德的传教士们无论走到哪里,都带着一神的教导。这一一神教义之内容,与其他先前诸多概念一起,在随后的印度教教导中得以体现出来。耶稣和甘尼德做了如下摘录:
1955 131:4.2 “He is the great God, in every way supreme. He is the Lord who encompasses all things. He is the creator and controller of the universe of universes. God is one God; he is alone and by himself; he is the only one. And this one God is our Maker and the last destiny of the soul. The Supreme One is brilliant beyond description; he is the Light of Lights. Every heart and every world is illuminated by this divine light. God is our protector—he stands by the side of his creatures—and those who learn to know him become immortal. God is the great source of energy; he is the Great Soul. He exercises universal lordship over all. This one God is loving, glorious, and adorable. Our God is supreme in power and abides in the supreme abode. This true Person is eternal and divine; he is the primal Lord of heaven. All the prophets have hailed him, and he has revealed himself to us. We worship him. O Supreme Person, source of beings, Lord of creation, and ruler of the universe, reveal to us, your creatures, the power whereby you abide immanent! God has made the sun and the stars; he is bright, pure, and self-existent. His eternal knowledge is divinely wise. The Eternal is unpenetrated by evil. Inasmuch as the universe sprang from God, he does rule it appropriately. He is the cause of creation, and hence are all things established in him.
2015 131:4.2 “他是伟大之神,在每一方面都是至高的。他是众多宇宙所组成宇宙的创造者和支配者。神是一体之神;他独自一身;他是唯一者。这一体之神是我们的创造者和灵魂之最终天命。至高者闪耀得无法形容;他是众光之光。每个心灵、每个世界都被这一圣光所照亮。神是我们的保护者 -- 他站在其受造物身边 -- 那些学会知晓他之人会变得不朽。神是能量之伟大来源;他是伟大之魂。他对一切施以普遍统治。这一体之神是慈爱的、荣耀的、值得崇拜的。我们的神在权能上是至高的,并居于至高之所。这一真正位格是永恒而又神圣的;他是天上的最初之主。所有先知们都称赞他,他已向我们展示他自身。我们崇拜他。啊,至高者,众生之源,造物之主,宇宙支配者,向我们、你的受造物们展示停留在无所不在中所凭借的力量吧!神创造了太阳和星辰;他是明亮的、纯粹的和自存的。他永恒的知识是神圣明智的。永恒者无法被邪恶所渗透。因为宇宙源自神,他确实适当地支配它。他是造物之因,因此万物在他身中而立。
1955 131:4.3 “God is the sure refuge of every good man when in need; the Immortal One cares for all mankind. God’s salvation is strong and his kindness is gracious. He is a loving protector, a blessed defender. Says the Lord: ‘I dwell within their own souls as a lamp of wisdom. I am the splendor of the splendid and the goodness of the good. Where two or three gather together, there am I also.’ The creature cannot escape the presence of the Creator. The Lord even counts the ceaseless winking of every mortal’s eyes; and we worship this divine Being as our inseparable companion. He is all-prevailing, bountiful, omnipresent, and infinitely kind. The Lord is our ruler, shelter, and supreme controller, and his primeval spirit dwells within the mortal soul. The Eternal Witness to vice and virtue dwells within man’s heart. Let us long meditate on the adorable and divine Vivifier; let his spirit fully direct our thoughts. From this unreal world lead us to the real! From darkness lead us to the light! From death guide us to immortality!
2015 131:4.3 “神是每个良善之人在需要之时的可靠庇护;这位不朽者照看所有人类。神的拯救是强大的,他的仁慈是慷慨的。他是一个慈爱的保护者,一个神圣的防护者。上主说:‘我如一盏智慧之灯居于他们自身灵魂之中。我是辉煌者之光辉,我是良善者之良善,两三个人聚在一起处,我也在其中。’上主甚至会数算每个凡人眼睛的不停眨动;我们将这一神圣存在作为我们不可分的同伴而崇拜。他遍及一切,慷慨大方,无所不在而又无限仁慈。上主是我们的支配者、庇护者和至高控制者,他原初之灵居于凡人灵魂之内。这一个恶习与美德之永恒见证者居于人的心中。让我们长久沉思这一值得崇拜的神圣赋予生机者;让他的灵充分指导我们的思想。引领我们从这不真实世界前往真实世界!引领我们从黑暗前往光明!引导我们从死亡前往不朽!
1955 131:4.4 “With our hearts purged of all hate, let us worship the Eternal. Our God is the Lord of prayer; he hears the cry of his children. Let all men submit their wills to him, the Resolute. Let us delight in the liberality of the Lord of prayer. Make prayer your inmost friend and worship your soul’s support. ‘If you will but worship me in love,’ says the Eternal, ‘I will give you the wisdom to attain me, for my worship is the virtue common to all creatures.’ God is the illuminator of the gloomy and the power of those who are faint. Since God is our strong friend, we have no more fear. We praise the name of the never-conquered Conqueror. We worship him because he is man’s faithful and eternal helper. God is our sure leader and unfailing guide. He is the great parent of heaven and earth, possessed of unlimited energy and infinite wisdom. His splendor is sublime and his beauty divine. He is the supreme refuge of the universe and the changeless guardian of everlasting law. Our God is the Lord of life and the Comforter of all men; he is the lover of mankind and the helper of those who are distressed. He is our life giver and the Good Shepherd of the human flocks. God is our father, brother, and friend. And we long to know this God in our inner being.
2015 131:4.4 “让我们怀着清除了所有仇恨的心崇拜永恒者。我们的神是祈求之神;他会听到他孩子的呼求。让所有人都将其意志服从于他这位坚定者。让我们在这位祈求之主的自由中欢乐。让祈求成为你内心的朋友,让崇拜成为你灵魂的支撑。永恒者说道,‘若你愿怀着爱崇拜我,我将给予你到达我的智慧,因为对我的崇拜是所有受造物共有的美德。’神是沮丧者的照亮者,是羸弱者的力量。由于神是我们的强大朋友,我们不再有任何恐惧。我们赞美这位从未被战胜之征服者的名。我们崇拜他,因为他是人的忠诚永恒助手。神是我们的可靠引领者和无误向导,他是天地之伟大父者,拥有无限能量和无限智慧。他的光辉是令人崇敬的,他的美好是神圣的。他是宇宙的至高避难所,是永恒律法的不变守护者。我们的神是生命之主,所有人的抚慰者;他是人类的爱护者,是那些痛苦者的助手。他是我们的生命给予者,是人类群体的好牧人。神是我们的父亲、兄弟和朋友。我们渴望知晓这位处于我们内在的神。
1955 131:4.5 “We have learned to win faith by the yearning of our hearts. We have attained wisdom by the restraint of our senses, and by wisdom we have experienced peace in the Supreme. He who is full of faith worships truly when his inner self is intent upon God. Our God wears the heavens as a mantle; he also inhabits the other six wide-spreading universes. He is supreme over all and in all. We crave forgiveness from the Lord for all of our trespasses against our fellows; and we would release our friend from the wrong he has done us. Our spirit loathes all evil; therefore, O Lord, free us from all taint of sin. We pray to God as a comforter, protector, and savior—one who loves us.
2015 131:4.5 “我们已学会通过我们心灵的渴求赢得信仰。我们已通过对我们感官的抑制获得智慧,通过智慧,我们体验到至高者身中的平安。充满信仰者在内在自我专注于神时,会真正崇拜。我们的神以诸天为蓬;他也住在其他六个广布的宇宙中。他在一切之上和一切之内都是至高的。对于我们对同伴的所有过犯,我们渴求上主的宽恕;我们愿意将我们朋友从对我们所做错事中释放出来。我们的灵厌恶一切邪恶;因此上主啊,将我们从罪恶的所有浸染中解放出来。我们向作为抚慰者、保护者和拯救者的神 -- 爱我们的那位祈求。
1955 131:4.6 “The spirit of the Universe Keeper enters the soul of the simple creature. That man is wise who worships the One God. Those who strive for perfection must indeed know the Lord Supreme. He never fears who knows the blissful security of the Supreme, for the Supreme says to those who serve him, ‘Fear not, for I am with you.’ The God of providence is our Father. God is truth. And it is the desire of God that his creatures should understand him—come fully to know the truth. Truth is eternal; it sustains the universe. Our supreme desire shall be union with the Supreme. The Great Controller is the generator of all things—all evolves from him. And this is the sum of duty: Let no man do to another what would be repugnant to himself; cherish no malice, smite not him who smites you, conquer anger with mercy, and vanquish hate by benevolence. And all this we should do because God is a kind friend and a gracious father who remits all our earthly offenses.
2015 131:4.6 “宇宙守护者之灵进入简单受造物的灵魂中。崇拜一神者是明智的。努力寻求完美者必定真的知晓上主至高者。知晓至高者之安乐者从不恐惧,因为至高者对那些侍奉他的人说道,‘不要害怕,因为我与你在一起。’天意之神是我们的父。神就是真理。神的愿望是他的受造物们应理解他 -- 全然理解真理。真理是永恒的;它会维持宇宙,我们至高的渴望应与至高者合一。这位伟大的控制者是万物之创生者 -- 一切自他而生。这便是职责之总计:一个人自己所厌恶的事勿施予他人;不要怀有任何恶意,不要打打你之人,以仁慈制服愤怒,以善行征服仇恨。我们应做这一切,因为神是一个仁慈的朋友,一位慷慨的父亲,他会赦免我们所有世间过错。
1955 131:4.7 “God is our Father, the earth our mother, and the universe our birthplace. Without God the soul is a prisoner; to know God releases the soul. By meditation on God, by union with him, there comes deliverance from the illusions of evil and ultimate salvation from all material fetters. When man shall roll up space as a piece of leather, then will come the end of evil because man has found God. O God, save us from the threefold ruin of hell—lust, wrath, and avarice! O soul, gird yourself for the spirit struggle of immortality! When the end of mortal life comes, hesitate not to forsake this body for a more fit and beautiful form and to awake in the realms of the Supreme and Immortal, where there is no fear, sorrow, hunger, thirst, or death. To know God is to cut the cords of death. The God-knowing soul rises in the universe like the cream appears on top of the milk. We worship God, the all-worker, the Great Soul, who is ever seated in the heart of his creatures. And they who know that God is enthroned in the human heart are destined to become like him—immortal. Evil must be left behind in this world, but virtue follows the soul to heaven.
2015 131:4.7 “神是我们的父亲,大地是我们的母亲,宇宙是我们的出生地。若没有神,灵魂便是一个囚徒;知晓神会令灵魂释放。通过沉思神,通过与他合一,会从邪恶之幻觉中解脱,从所有物质束缚中获得最终拯救。当人像卷一张皮那样卷起空间,那么邪恶之终结便会到来,因为人已找到了神。神啊,将我们从地狱之三重毁灭 -- 淫、怒、痴中拯救出来吧!灵魂啊,准备好对不朽之灵性奋斗吧!当凡人生活之终结到来时,不要犹豫抛弃这具身体,以换一具更健康美丽的形体,去在至高不朽者的领域醒来,那里没有恐惧、悲伤、饥渴和死亡。要知晓神便是要砍断死亡之索。知神灵魂就如同奶油出现在牛奶之上一般浮现在宇宙中。我们崇拜神,一切之创造者,伟大之魂,他永远处于他的受造物心中。那些知晓神升坐于人心中的人注定会变得像他一样 -- 不朽。邪恶必定会被留在这一世界,但美德却会跟随灵魂升天。
1955 131:4.8 “It is only the wicked who say: The universe has neither truth nor a ruler; it was only designed for our lusts. Such souls are deluded by the smallness of their intellects. They thus abandon themselves to the enjoyment of their lusts and deprive their souls of the joys of virtue and the pleasures of righteousness. What can be greater than to experience salvation from sin? The man who has seen the Supreme is immortal. Man’s friends of the flesh cannot survive death; virtue alone walks by man’s side as he journeys ever onward toward the gladsome and sunlit fields of Paradise.”
2015 131:4.8 “只有恶者才会说:宇宙既无真理,也无支配者;它仅是为了我们的欲望而设。这些灵魂被他们智力的渺小所欺骗。他们由此放任自身享受其贪欲,令他们灵魂失去了美德所带来的欢乐和正义所带来的愉悦。还有什么能比体验到从罪恶中的拯救更伟大之事?见到至高者之人是不朽的。人的肉身朋友无法从死中续存;当人不断往上朝向天堂欢乐灿烂之地前进时,美德会伴他同行。”
5. ZOROASTRIANISM
5. 琐罗亚斯德教
1955 131:5.1 Zoroaster was himself directly in contact with the descendants of the earlier Melchizedek missionaries, and their doctrine of the one God became a central teaching in the religion which he founded in Persia. Aside from Judaism, no religion of that day contained more of these Salem teachings. From the records of this religion Ganid made the following excerpts:
2015 131:5.1 琐罗亚斯德自己直接与早期麦基洗德传教士的后代接触了,他们有关一神的教义成了他在波斯所创宗教的核心教导。除了犹太教以外,那个时代没有任何宗教比它包含更多这些撒冷教导了。从这一宗教的记载中,甘尼德做了以下摘录:
1955 131:5.2 “All things come from, and belong to, the One God—all-wise, good, righteous, holy, resplendent, and glorious. This, our God, is the source of all luminosity. He is the Creator, the God of all good purposes, and the protector of the justice of the universe. The wise course in life is to act in consonance with the spirit of truth. God is all-seeing, and he beholds both the evil deeds of the wicked and the good works of the righteous; our God observes all things with a flashing eye. His touch is the touch of healing. The Lord is an all-powerful benefactor. God stretches out his beneficent hand to both the righteous and the wicked. God established the world and ordained the rewards for good and for evil. The all-wise God has promised immortality to the pious souls who think purely and act righteously. As you supremely desire, so shall you be. The light of the sun is as wisdom to those who discern God in the universe.
2015 131:5.2 “万物来自并属于一神 -- 全智、良善、正义、神圣、辉煌、荣耀。我们这神是所有光辉之源。他是造物主,是所有善意之神,是宇宙公平之保护者。生命中明智之道是行事要与真理之灵一致。神是全视的,他既会看到恶者的恶行,也会看到义者的善举;我们的神以闪亮之眼观察万物。他的触碰是疗愈之触碰。上主是全能之施恩者。神向义者和恶者都伸出了他的施恩之手。神创造了这个世界,并命定了善恶之报偿。全智之神向静思和义行之虔诚灵魂许诺了不朽。随着你至高地渴望,你必会不朽。对于那些分辨出宇宙之神的人来说,太阳光就如智慧一般。
1955 131:5.3 “Praise God by seeking the pleasure of the Wise One. Worship the God of light by joyfully walking in the paths ordained by his revealed religion. There is but one Supreme God, the Lord of Lights. We worship him who made the waters, plants, animals, the earth, and the heavens. Our God is Lord, most beneficent. We worship the most beauteous, the bountiful Immortal, endowed with eternal light. God is farthest from us and at the same time nearest to us in that he dwells within our souls. Our God is the divine and holiest Spirit of Paradise, and yet he is more friendly to man than the most friendly of all creatures. God is most helpful to us in this greatest of all businesses, the knowing of himself. God is our most adorable and righteous friend; he is our wisdom, life, and vigor of soul and body. Through our good thinking the wise Creator will enable us to do his will, thereby attaining the realization of all that is divinely perfect.
2015 131:5.3 “凭借寻求明智者之乐而赞美神。凭借欢快走在他所启示宗教所命定的道路上而崇拜光明之神。只有一位至高之神,众光之主。我们崇拜这位创造了海洋、植物、动物、大地和诸天之神。我们的神是最为仁慈的上主。我们崇拜最为美妙、慷慨大方的不朽者,他被赋以永恒之光。神离我们最远,与此同时又离我们最近,因为他居于我们灵魂之中。我们的神是神圣者,是最为神圣的天堂之灵,他比所有受造物中最为友好者对人更为友好。在知晓神自身这一所有事业中最伟大者当中,他对我们是最为有益的。神是我们最为值得崇拜、最为正义之友;他是我们的智慧、生命、灵魂和身体之活力。通过我们的善思,明智的造物主使我们履行他的意志,由此达至所有神圣完美之物的实现。
1955 131:5.4 “Lord, teach us how to live this life in the flesh while preparing for the next life of the spirit. Speak to us, Lord, and we will do your bidding. Teach us the good paths, and we will go right. Grant us that we may attain union with you. We know that the religion is right which leads to union with righteousness. God is our wise nature, best thought, and righteous act. May God grant us unity with the divine spirit and immortality in himself!
2015 131:5.4 “上主,教导我们如何度过肉身中的此生,同时为灵体中的来生做好准备。与我们交谈,上主,我们将会履行您的命令。教导我们良善之路,我们将会走正确。授予我们如此可达至与您合一。我们知道引向与正义合一的宗教是正确的。神是我们的明智本性、最佳想法和正义行为。愿神授予我们与他自身中神性之灵和不朽的合一!
1955 131:5.5 “This religion of the Wise One cleanses the believer from every evil thought and sinful deed. I bow before the God of heaven in repentance if I have offended in thought, word, or act—intentionally or unintentionally—and I offer prayers for mercy and praise for forgiveness. I know when I make confession, if I purpose not to do again the evil thing, that sin will be removed from my soul. I know that forgiveness takes away the bonds of sin. Those who do evil shall receive punishment, but those who follow truth shall enjoy the bliss of an eternal salvation. Through grace lay hold upon us and minister saving power to our souls. We claim mercy because we aspire to attain perfection; we would be like God.”
2015 131:5.5 “这一明智者之宗教会令信奉者清理每个邪恶想法和罪恶行为。若我在想法、话语或行动上有意或无意冒犯,我要在天神面前忏悔 -- 我奉上祈祷请求仁慈,奉上赞美请求宽恕。我知道,当我做出忏悔时,若我有意不再做错事,罪恶将从我的灵魂中被清除。我知道宽恕会带走罪恶之束缚。那些作恶之人必会受到惩罚,但那些追随真理之人却必会享有永恒拯救之喜乐。神经由恩典把握住我们,并将拯救之力施给我们灵魂。我们需要仁慈,因为我们渴望达至完美;我们要像神一样。”
6. SUDUANISM (JAINISM)
6. 苏端教(耆那教)
1955 131:6.1 The third group of religious believers who preserved the doctrine of one God in India—the survival of the Melchizedek teaching—were known in those days as the Suduanists. Latterly these believers have become known as followers of Jainism. They taught:
2015 131:6.1 在印度,保留了一神教义 -- 即麦基洗德教导之存续的第三类宗教信奉者 -- 在那些日子被称为苏端教徒。后来这些信奉者被称为耆那教的追随者。他们教导:
1955 131:6.2 “The Lord of Heaven is supreme. Those who commit sin will not ascend on high, but those who walk in the paths of righteousness shall find a place in heaven. We are assured of the life hereafter if we know truth. The soul of man may ascend to the highest heaven, there to develop its true spiritual nature, to attain perfection. The estate of heaven delivers man from the bondage of sin and introduces him to the final beatitudes; the righteous man has already experienced an end of sin and all its associated miseries. Self is man’s invincible foe, and self is manifested as man’s four greatest passions: anger, pride, deceit, and greed. Man’s greatest victory is the conquest of himself. When man looks to God for forgiveness, and when he makes bold to enjoy such liberty, he is thereby delivered from fear. Man should journey through life treating his fellow creatures as he would like to be treated.”
2015 131:6.2 “天上之主是至高的,那些犯罪之人将不会升到天上,但那些走在正义之路中的人必会在天上找到地方。若我们知晓真理,我们便会确信来世生活。人之灵魂可升到最高之天,在那里发展其真正灵性本质,达至完美。天上地位会令人摆脱罪恶束缚,引导他进入最终至福。义人已经历了罪恶及其相伴苦难的结束。自我是人难以战胜的敌人,自我被显现为人的四大强烈情感:愤怒、骄傲、欺骗和贪婪。人的最伟大胜利是对他自我的征服。当人向神寻求宽恕,当他大胆享受这一自由,他由此从恐惧中解脱。人应该对待其同伴如同对待自己般度过此生。”
7. SHINTO
7. 神道教
1955 131:7.1 Only recently had the manuscripts of this Far-Eastern religion been lodged in the Alexandrian library. It was the one world religion of which Ganid had never heard. This belief also contained remnants of the earlier Melchizedek teachings as is shown by the following abstracts:
2015 131:7.1 这一远东宗教的手稿,只是新近才被存入亚历山大图书馆。它是甘尼德之前从未听说过的一种世界宗教。这一信仰也包含了较早期麦基洗德教导的残留,正如以下摘要所呈现的:
1955 131:7.2 “Says the Lord: ‘You are all recipients of my divine power; all men enjoy my ministry of mercy. I derive great pleasure in the multiplication of righteous men throughout the land. In both the beauties of nature and the virtues of men does the Prince of Heaven seek to reveal himself and to show forth his righteous nature. Since the olden people did not know my name, I manifested myself by being born into the world as a visible existence and endured such abasement even that man should not forget my name. I am the maker of heaven and earth; the sun and the moon and all the stars obey my will. I am the ruler of all creatures on land and in the four seas. Although I am great and supreme, still I have regard for the prayer of the poorest man. If any creature will worship me, I will hear his prayer and grant the desire of his heart.’
2015 131:7.2 “上主说:‘你们都是我神性力量的接受者;所有人都享有我仁慈之侍奉。义人在遍地增加,令我获得极大愉悦。在自然之美好和人类之美德中,天上之君寻求展示自身,显示他正义本质。由于古时人们并不知晓我名,我通过作为一个可见存在生到世上以显现自身,忍受这种降格乃至人类不会忘记我名。我是天地之创造者;太阳月亮和所有星辰都服从我意志。我是大地上和四海内所有受造物的支配者。尽管我是伟大至高的,我却仍重视最穷之人的祈祷。若有受造物崇拜我,我将听到他的祈祷,授予他心中的渴望。’
1955 131:7.3 “‘Every time man yields to anxiety, he takes one step away from the leading of the spirit of his heart.’ Pride obscures God. If you would obtain heavenly help, put away your pride; every hair of pride shuts off saving light, as it were, by a great cloud. If you are not right on the inside, it is useless to pray for that which is on the outside. ‘If I hear your prayers, it is because you come before me with a clean heart, free from falsehood and hypocrisy, with a soul which reflects truth like a mirror. If you would gain immortality, forsake the world and come to me.’”
2015 131:7.3 “‘每次人屈服于焦虑,他便远离了他心灵之引导一步。’骄傲掩蔽了神。若你要获得上天帮助,抛弃你的骄傲;每丝骄傲都会如同一大片乌云切断了拯救之光。若你内在不正,那么祈求外在之物是无用的。‘若我听到你的祈祷,是因为你怀着一颗摆脱了谎言和虚伪的清净之心,怀着一个如镜般反映真理的灵魂来到我面前。若你愿获得不朽,那就抛弃这个世界来到我这里。’”
8. TAOISM
8. 道教
1955 131:8.1 The messengers of Melchizedek penetrated far into China, and the doctrine of one God became a part of the earlier teachings of several Chinese religions; the one persisting the longest and containing most of the monotheistic truth was Taoism, and Ganid collected the following from the teachings of its founder:
2015 131:8.1 麦基洗德的使者们远涉入中国,一神之教义成了较早期几个中国宗教教导的一部分;持续最长、包含最多一神论真理的一个宗教便是道教,甘尼德从其创建者教导中收集了以下内容:
1955 131:8.2 “How pure and tranquil is the Supreme One and yet how powerful and mighty, how deep and unfathomable! This God of heaven is the honored ancestor of all things. If you know the Eternal, you are enlightened and wise. If you know not the Eternal, then does ignorance manifest itself as evil, and thus do the passions of sin arise. This wondrous Being existed before the heavens and the earth were. He is truly spiritual; he stands alone and changes not. He is indeed the world’s mother, and all creation moves around him. This Great One imparts himself to men and thereby enables them to excel and to survive. Even if one has but a little knowledge, he can still walk in the ways of the Supreme; he can conform to the will of heaven.
2015 131:8.2 “至高者是多么纯粹宁静,又多么强大有力,多么深不可测!这一天神是万物之宗。若你知道永恒者,你就是开明明智的。若你不知道永恒者,那么无知就会显化自身为邪恶,由此罪恶之强烈情感便会升起。这一奇妙存在先于天地而存在。他是真正灵性的;他独立而不改。他的确是世界之母,万物绕他移动。这一伟大者将自身分予人们,藉此令他们卓越、存续。即便一个人鲜有知识,但他仍可行至高者之道;他可与天意相合。
1955 131:8.3 “All good works of true service come from the Supreme. All things depend on the Great Source for life. The Great Supreme seeks no credit for his bestowals. He is supreme in power, yet he remains hidden from our gaze. He unceasingly transmutes his attributes while perfecting his creatures. The heavenly Reason is slow and patient in his designs but sure of his accomplishments. The Supreme overspreads the universe and sustains it all. How great and mighty are his overflowing influence and drawing power! True goodness is like water in that it blesses everything and harms nothing. And like water, true goodness seeks the lowest places, even those levels which others avoid, and that is because it is akin to the Supreme. The Supreme creates all things, in nature nourishing them and in spirit perfecting them. And it is a mystery how the Supreme fosters, protects, and perfects the creature without compelling him. He guides and directs, but without self-assertion. He ministers progression, but without domination.
2015 131:8.3 “所有真正服务之成就都来自至高者。万物依赖这一伟大本源而生。伟大至高者对他赐予不寻求任何功劳。他在权能上是至高的,但他却隐藏在我们视线之外。他在完善其受造物之同时,不停转变其属性。天之道缓慢而有耐心,但却善胜。至高者广布宇宙,维持一切。他四溢的影响和引力多么强大有力!真正之善如水一般,因为它利万物而不伤害什么。像水一样,真正之善寻求最低之地,甚至那些他人所避免之处,因为它几近于至高者。至高者创生万物,在本性上滋养它们,在灵性上完善它们。至高者何以培育、保护和完善受造物而又不强迫他,这是一个奥秘。他引导指引却又不自作主张。他侍奉进展,却不主宰。
1955 131:8.4 “The wise man universalizes his heart. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Those who aspire to greatness must learn to humble themselves. In creation the Supreme became the world’s mother. To know one’s mother is to recognize one’s sonship. He is a wise man who regards all parts from the point of view of the whole. Relate yourself to every man as if you were in his place. Recompense injury with kindness. If you love people, they will draw near you—you will have no difficulty in winning them.
2015 131:8.4 “圣人常无心。一知半解是危险之事。那些渴望伟大者,必须学会令自己谦卑。在造物中至高者会成为世界之母,要知晓其母就要认知其子。从整体视角看待所有部分之人是圣人。将自身与每个人关联起来,就如同你处在他的位置。以德报怨。若你爱人,他们将会靠近你 -- 你将很容易赢得他们。
1955 131:8.5 “The Great Supreme is all-pervading; he is on the left hand and on the right; he supports all creation and indwells all true beings. You cannot find the Supreme, neither can you go to a place where he is not. If a man recognizes the evil of his ways and repents of sin from the heart, then may he seek forgiveness; he may escape the penalty; he may change calamity into blessing. The Supreme is the secure refuge for all creation; he is the guardian and savior of mankind. If you seek for him daily, you shall find him. Since he can forgive sins, he is indeed most precious to all men. Always remember that God does not reward man for what he does but for what he is; therefore should you extend help to your fellows without the thought of rewards. Do good without thought of benefit to the self.
2015 131:8.5 “伟大至高者(大道)遍及一切;他无所不到;他支持一切造物并居于所有真正存有之内。你无法找到至高者,你也无法去往一个他不在之处。若一个人认识到他行事之邪恶,并从内心忏悔罪恶,那么他可以寻求宽恕;他可逃脱惩罚;他可将灾祸转为祝福。至高者是所有造物之可靠庇护者,他是人类守护者和拯救者。若你每日寻求他,你必会找到他。因为他能赦免罪恶,他对于所有人来说确实是最为珍贵的。永远记住,神并非依照人所做而是依照人所是而回报他;因此你应不带回报之念向你同伴伸出援助之手。不怀利己之念行善。
1955 131:8.6 “They who know the laws of the Eternal are wise. Ignorance of the divine law is misery and disaster. They who know the laws of God are liberal minded. If you know the Eternal, even though your body perish, your soul shall survive in spirit service. You are truly wise when you recognize your insignificance. If you abide in the light of the Eternal, you shall enjoy the enlightenment of the Supreme. Those who dedicate their persons to the service of the Supreme are joyous in this pursuit of the Eternal. When man dies, the spirit begins to wing its long flight on the great home journey.”
2015 131:8.6 “知晓永恒者律法之人是明智的。对神圣律法的无知是不幸和灾难。知晓神之律法者是心智自由的。若你知晓永恒者,即使你身体灭亡,你的灵魂必会存续从事灵性服务。当你认识到你的微不足道,你就会真正明智。若你居于永恒者之光中,你必会享有至高者之启蒙。将其个人献身于对至高者服务之人,在对永恒者的这一追求中是充满欢乐的。当人死时,灵便开始在伟大的回家旅程中飞翔。”
9. CONFUCIANISM
9. 儒教
1955 131:9.1 Even the least God-recognizing of the world’s great religions acknowledged the monotheism of the Melchizedek missionaries and their persistent successors. Ganid’s summary of Confucianism was:
2015 131:9.1 即便这个世界诸多伟大宗教中最不承认神的这个宗教,也认可麦基洗德传教士及其坚持不懈的后继者们所持的一神论。甘尼德对儒教的摘要是:
1955 131:9.2 “What Heaven appoints is without error. Truth is real and divine. Everything originates in Heaven, and the Great Heaven makes no mistakes. Heaven has appointed many subordinates to assist in the instruction and uplifting of the inferior creatures. Great, very great, is the One God who rules man from on high. God is majestic in power and awful in judgment. But this Great God has conferred a moral sense even on many inferior people. Heaven’s bounty never stops. Benevolence is Heaven’s choicest gift to men. Heaven has bestowed its nobility upon the soul of man; the virtues of man are the fruit of this endowment of Heaven’s nobility. The Great Heaven is all-discerning and goes with man in all his doings. And we do well when we call the Great Heaven our Father and our Mother. If we are thus servants of our divine ancestors, then may we in confidence pray to Heaven. At all times and in everything let us stand in awe of the majesty of Heaven. We acknowledge, O God, the Most High and sovereign Potentate, that judgment rests with you, and that all mercy proceeds from the divine heart.
2015 131:9.2 “上天所命定的没有差错。真理是真实而又神圣的,万物源于上天,上天不会犯错。上天任命了许多从属者来协助卑微受造物的指导和提升。从天上支配人的一神是伟大的,非常伟大。神在权能上是庄严的,在审判上是威严的。但这位伟大之神甚至已将道德感赠与到许多卑微民众身上。上天恩赐从无终止。仁爱是上天对人的上等赠与。上天将其高贵赠与到人灵魂之上;人之美德是上天这一高贵赋予之果实。伟大的上天辨识一切,并与人一起从事其所为。当我们称伟大之上天为我们的父母,我们会做得很好。若我们由此成为我们神圣祖先的仆人,那么我们满怀信心祈求上天。让我们时时处处敬畏上天之威严。我们承认,啊,神,至高者和无上的君主,审判在你,一切仁慈来自神圣之心。
1955 131:9.3 “God is with us; therefore we have no fear in our hearts. If there be found any virtue in me, it is the manifestation of Heaven who abides with me. But this Heaven within me often makes hard demands on my faith. If God is with me, I have determined to have no doubt in my heart. Faith must be very near the truth of things, and I do not see how a man can live without this good faith. Good and evil do not befall men without cause. Heaven deals with man’s soul in accordance with its purpose. When you find yourself in the wrong, do not hesitate to confess your error and be quick to make amends.
2015 131:9.3 “神与我们同在;因此我们心中没有恐惧。若在我们身上找到任何美德,它也是与我同住之上天的显现。但我心中的这一上天严格要求我的信仰。若神与我一起,我便决定心中没有怀疑。信仰必定非常接近万物之真理,我不知没有这一善信之人如何能生存。善恶不会无故落到人身上。上天依照其意图对待人的灵魂。当你发现自身处于错误之中,不要犹豫坦诚你的错误,并尽快弥补。
1955 131:9.4 “A wise man is occupied with the search for truth, not in seeking for a mere living. To attain the perfection of Heaven is the goal of man. The superior man is given to self-adjustment, and he is free from anxiety and fear. God is with you; have no doubt in your heart. Every good deed has its recompense. The superior man murmurs not against Heaven nor holds a grudge against men. What you do not like when done to yourself, do not to others. Let compassion be a part of all punishment; in every way endeavor to make punishment a blessing. Such is the way of Great Heaven. While all creatures must die and return to the earth, the spirit of the noble man goes forth to be displayed on high and to ascend to the glorious light of final brightness.”
2015 131:9.4 “智者忙于寻求真理,而非寻求单单生活。达至上天之完美是人的目标。君子惯于自我调整,他免于焦虑和恐惧。神与你同在;不要心怀疑虑。每样善行都有其回报,君子不向上天抱怨,不对人怀恨。己所不欲,勿施于人。让慈悲成为所有惩罚一部分;尽力努力令惩罚成为祝福。这是伟大上天之道。尽管所有受造物必定死亡并返回尘土,高贵者之灵会前往天上得以展示,上升到终辉之荣光中。”
10. “OUR RELIGION”
10. “我们的宗教”
1955 131:10.1 After the arduous labor of effecting this compilation of the teachings of the world religions concerning the Paradise Father, Ganid set himself to the task of formulating what he deemed to be a summary of the belief he had arrived at regarding God as a result of Jesus’ teaching. This young man was in the habit of referring to such beliefs as “our religion.” This was his record:
2015 131:10.1 在引发这一对世界诸宗教关于天堂之父教导编译的艰苦劳作后,甘尼德为自己设下了系统阐述他所认为的在耶稣教导下他关于神所得到的信仰之摘要。这个年轻人习惯于将这一信仰称为“我们的宗教”。以下是他的记载:
1955 131:10.2 “The Lord our God is one Lord, and you should love him with all your mind and heart while you do your very best to love all his children as you love yourself. This one God is our heavenly Father, in whom all things consist, and who dwells, by his spirit, in every sincere human soul. And we who are the children of God should learn how to commit the keeping of our souls to him as to a faithful Creator. With our heavenly Father all things are possible. Since he is the Creator, having made all things and all beings, it could not be otherwise. Though we cannot see God, we can know him. And by daily living the will of the Father in heaven, we can reveal him to our fellow men.
1955 131:10.3 “The divine riches of God’s character must be infinitely deep and eternally wise. We cannot search out God by knowledge, but we can know him in our hearts by personal experience. While his justice may be past finding out, his mercy may be received by the humblest being on earth. While the Father fills the universe, he also lives in our hearts. The mind of man is human, mortal, but the spirit of man is divine, immortal. God is not only all-powerful but also all-wise. If our earth parents, being of evil tendency, know how to love their children and bestow good gifts on them, how much more must the good Father in heaven know how wisely to love his children on earth and to bestow suitable blessings upon them.
1955 131:10.4 “The Father in heaven will not suffer a single child on earth to perish if that child has a desire to find the Father and truly longs to be like him. Our Father even loves the wicked and is always kind to the ungrateful. If more human beings could only know about the goodness of God, they would certainly be led to repent of their evil ways and forsake all known sin. All good things come down from the Father of light, in whom there is no variableness neither shadow of changing. The spirit of the true God is in man’s heart. He intends that all men should be brothers. When men begin to feel after God, that is evidence that God has found them, and that they are in quest of knowledge about him. We live in God and God dwells in us.
1955 131:10.5 “I will no longer be satisfied to believe that God is the Father of all my people; I will henceforth believe that he is also my Father. Always will I try to worship God with the help of the Spirit of Truth, which is my helper when I have become really God-knowing. But first of all I am going to practice worshiping God by learning how to do the will of God on earth; that is, I am going to do my best to treat each of my fellow mortals just as I think God would like to have him treated. And when we live this sort of a life in the flesh, we may ask many things of God, and he will give us the desire of our hearts that we may be the better prepared to serve our fellows. And all of this loving service of the children of God enlarges our capacity to receive and experience the joys of heaven, the high pleasures of the ministry of the spirit of heaven.
1955 131:10.6 “I will every day thank God for his unspeakable gifts; I will praise him for his wonderful works to the children of men. To me he is the Almighty, the Creator, the Power, and the Mercy, but best of all, he is my spirit Father, and as his earth child I am sometime going forth to see him. And my tutor has said that by searching for him I shall become like him. By faith in God I have attained peace with him. This new religion of ours is very full of joy, and it generates an enduring happiness. I am confident that I shall be faithful even to death, and that I will surely receive the crown of eternal life.
1955 131:10.7 “I am learning to prove all things and adhere to that which is good. Whatsoever I would that men should do to me, that I will do to my fellows. By this new faith I know that man may become the son of God, but it sometimes terrifies me when I stop to think that all men are my brothers, but it must be true. I do not see how I can rejoice in the fatherhood of God while I refuse to accept the brotherhood of man. Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. If that is true, then all men must be my brothers.
1955 131:10.8 “Henceforth will I do my good deeds in secret; I will also pray most when by myself. I will judge not that I may not be unfair to my fellows. I am going to learn to love my enemies; I have not truly mastered this practice of being Godlike. Though I see God in these other religions, I find him in ‘our religion’ as being more beautiful, loving, merciful, personal, and positive. But most of all, this great and glorious Being is my spiritual Father; I am his child. And by no other means than my honest desire to be like him, I am eventually to find him and eternally to serve him. At last I have a religion with a God, a marvelous God, and he is a God of eternal salvation.”