第九辑 圣贤之音 - 文化与道德的乐章 Volume 9: Culture & Virtue - Echoes of the Sage
真正的文化应从圣贤书中学
True Culture Should be Learned from the Books of Sages
在最近两百年，虽然现代物质发展得很好，物质生活方面是提高了，但是我们精神上没有得到很好地提升，反而是倒退了。
Over the last 200 years, the modern material world has developed very well. While we have made significant material improvements, spiritually, we seem to have regressed rather than advanced as well.
来到地球上，我们每个人都应该做点什么，不是来吃饭等死的。不能像动物一样，就只知道吃和繁衍后代。
Coming to the Earth, each of us should do something, not simply eat and wait to die. We shouldn't be like animals, only focused on eating and reproducing.
如果我们的人生只有衣食住行、繁衍后代，在弱肉强食的竞争中死去，那跟野生动物有啥区别？没什么区别了。那就是两条腿站着走路的动物。
If we live solely for food, clothing, housing, transportation, and reproduction, and eventually perish in the rat race, what sets us apart from wild animals? There would be no distinction; we would merely be animals walking on two legs.
现在很多人，连野生动物都不如，跟圈养的动物差不多，这样的人生毫无意义，所以我们每个人要想一想，作为一个人，我们跟其他的动物是不一样的。
Many people nowadays, not even as good as wild animals, lead lives akin to captive animals. Such a life is meaningless. Therefore, each of us should contemplate the fact that, as human beings, we are different from other animals.
我们中国的文化源远流长，我们要学习学习古圣先贤跟我们讲了些什么。我们要好好找回来看看，看看老子、孔子这些古圣都是怎么样地来教导我们的。因为最近这一两百年，很少很少有人去深入地学习。
Our Chinese culture has a rich and profound history. We should delve into the teachings of ancient sages to discover the wisdom they imparted. It's essential to revisit and reflect upon how figures like Laozi and Confucius guided us in the past. Unfortunately, in the last century or two, very few individuals have delved deeply into these teachings.
我们总是把文化当成一种比较世俗的东西，中国人喜欢讲什么“酒文化”，“茶文化”，等这样的文化、那样的文化，其实这些所谓的“文化”都是文化的一些表现形式，不能等同于文化。
We tend to view culture in a secular manner. Chinese people often discuss "wine culture," "tea culture," and so forth. However, in reality, all these so-called "cultures" are just various forms of culture but not synonymous with culture itself.
打比方中国人的武术 太极拳 舞蹈 音乐 戏曲 影视....艺术。里面都蕴涵着文化，但是真正的文化我们应该是从古圣先贤的书里面去学。
For example, Chinese Kung Fu, Tai Chi, dance, music, opera, movies, and TV—all these art forms encompass culture. However, the true essence of culture should be learned from the writings of ancient sages and wise predecessors.
我们举个例子，《红楼梦》这本书很多人看过，但是写《红楼梦》的作者，他对中国儒释道的文化是有非常深的功底和修为的，
For instance, many people have read "The Dream of the Red Chamber." However, the author had a profound understanding and cultivation of Chinese culture, influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
所以一般人看《红楼梦》还真的看不懂，只是看一个表面的故事情节而已。要真的能把《红楼梦》看懂了，那一定是对儒释道的文化很通达的人，他才能真正看懂《红楼梦》。写《红楼梦》的人是有智慧的人，看得很透。
Due to this, many people may not fully comprehend "The Dream of the Red Chamber" and might only grasp the superficial storyline. Only those with a profound understanding of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism can genuinely grasp the essence of "The Dream of the Red Chamber." The author of "The Dream of the Red Chamber" is a wise person who has gained profound insights.
我们作为人不能够迷失在人生当中。很多世间的人，现在都迷失在人生当中。像老鼠一样，鼠目寸光，只看到眼前的利益，满足眼前的贪欲，这样地活着就跟老鼠一样。
As human beings, we must not lose ourselves in the journey of life. Many people in the world are currently lost in the journey of life. Similar to rats, they are myopic, focusing only on immediate gains, and satisfying immediate desires. Living in this way is akin to being a rat.
作为人类嘛，我们要抬起头来，要看向远方，要看看天、要仰望天空，要看看大地，我们活在天地之间，我们应该做一个什么样的人？
As human beings, we need to lift our heads, see the way ahead, gaze at the sky, observe the earth. Living between heaven and earth, what kind of person should we be?
我们来到地球上，这一生是有圣贤来帮助我们提升。慢慢地你就会体会到。虽然现在可能有些人还是不太相信，这是因为你们没有谦虚的态度，很骄傲。
We come to Earth with the guidance of sages to elevate our lives. Gradually, you will come to realize this. Some people may still be skeptical at the moment; it could be because they lack humility and are excessively proud.
就像现代人，因为科学技术的发达，痴迷科技的高度发达，迷失在生活物质的发展上，变得很狂妄自大，现代人越来越傲慢和愚蠢。
Just like modern individuals, captivated by the advancement of science and technology, lost in the development of material life, they become arrogant and conceited. Modern people are becoming increasingly arrogant and ignorant.
这物质的东西嘛，是基础，是工具，但物质是死的，人是活的，人是有灵性的。我们的灵性不能埋没在肉体的欲望中。
Material is the foundation and tool, but it is inanimate, while humans are living and spiritual. Our spirituality should not be buried in the desires of the flesh.
如果活着只是为了让肉体继续存活下去，只是为了让肉体存活的更舒适一些，如果活着只是为了继续活着，像造粪机一样度过自己的人生，这样的人生没有什么意义。
If one lives solely to sustain the physical body, to make its survival more comfortable, if ones lives only to continue existing and spends their life like a manure machine, such a life is meaningless.
所以希望我们大家从今以后要抬起头来做人，不要低着头只看眼前的事情，你的人生可以重新开始的，不管多大的年纪，都可以重新开始，都可以脱胎换骨。
So from now on, I hope all of you will carry yourselves with your heads held high, not just focusing on immediate concerns with your heads down. You can begin your life anew! No matter how old you are, you can start over and experience a rebirth.
易明之光 Mini读书@2023