您知道‘清口愿’的英文翻譯嗎？您知道‘吃素’與‘持齋’
的分別嗎？您知道vegan 和 vegetarian 的分別與在西方的起源
嗎？您知道‘素食’（即吃蔬果，不吃有血的肉）在好幾個
宗教經典都有點明嗎？您知道為什麼植物可以被食用而動物
卻不能嗎？您知道佛陀的用心良苦，為了讓眾生慢慢走上
真修的路，讓學徒開始從吃肉邊菜、方便齋、每月吃兩天素、
每月吃六或十天素、吃短齋到吃長齋嗎？您知道立清口愿的
重要性嗎？以上的疑問在長聖文化出版社最新的中英文對照
善書《持齋的意義》The True Meanings of Upholding the
Purification and Veganism Vow 都有詳細解釋。
您有想過：吃素本身是沒有功德可言，但渡人吃素卻有功德！
而修行者卻可以藉著素食來幫助自己走上清心寡慾、減少追求
慾望、不被慾望牽著鼻子走、專心一致的吃眼前的食物，這樣
體內的真主人才能滋長、顯現。最後，這本善書是三天法會十
二道傳題系列之一，所以開端序言是活佛師尊的‘法會課題內
容’慈訓，有十二道傳題的簡單內容介紹，中英，所以會對在
海外開法會時有幫助，尤其是對被安排做中英翻譯的人才。
If you are a regular Tao relative, you may have heard many seriors mentioned the phrase ‘qingkou’ vow. So what exactly is ‘qingkou’ vow in correct English translation? What is the significance of this vow? The book also starts with a brief introduction of the historical development of vegetarianism and veganism in western
world. The concept of purification and veganism is so important to
cultivators that Lord Buddha takes the trouble to devise various
schemes to allow followers to gradually move from eating only the
vegetable in meaty dishes, to eat vegetarian as-and-when possible and
convenient, from being vegetarian twice a month to 6—10 times a
month, from being vegetarian for short duration to long-term
vegetarian.
Do you know that: There is actually no spiritual merit for being a vegan. On the other hand, there is merit for encouraging others to become vegan! But wise and true cultivators would know to take the opportunity of being a vegan to revert from a life led by an over-reliance on one’s five senses back to a life led by one’s awakening spirit and eventually onto revival of one’s Innate Nature. It is hoped that this understanding shall assist all who consider themselves vegan to have a greater sense of their commitment.