無辜的小鬼（中英）　宣化上人主講

尊重生命‧愛惜自己

Respect Life, Cherish Yourself

◎編輯部序

Editor's Note

世界上所有的嬰兒不論生長在什麼樣的家庭，都是幸福的，因為他們有機會來到人間學習、歷練。但同時也有許多胎兒因為種種的原因，被母親放棄了，他們連呼吸一口自然空氣的機會都沒有，他們是已經成形的生命，卻失去了生存的權利。   

All babies in the world are fortunate, regardless of what kind of family they are born into. This is because they have an opportunity to be born as human beings in order to learn and gain experiences. However, due to various reasons, many unborn babies are aborted by their mothers. They don’t even have an opportunity to take a breath of fresh air; although their lives have taken form, they lost their rights to live.

當蚊子叮您的時候，您的第一個反應是什麼？或許一如多數的世人，「啪」一巴掌打下去。蚊子只是餓了而叮我們一下，我們立起瞋心反擊；那麼，那些無辜被流產或墮胎掉的胎兒，所失去的是生命的權利，他們所起的瞋心與報復心恐怕是超乎我們的想像。
   　    
When a mosquito bites you, what is your first reaction? Many people slap the mosquito, in an attempt to kill it. A mosquito only bites us out of hunger, and we immediately react with anger and a wish to strike back. How about the innocent fetuses that are aborted? What they lost are their rights to live. Accordingly, their anger and vengeance surpass our imagination.
       
隨著社會風氣的開放與優生學的強調，墮胎問題日益嚴重。墮胎真的可以解決社會問題嗎？墮胎真的可以讓人類更優秀嗎？唯有不逾矩，守禮法，明因果，才可以解決社會問題；人類的優秀與否，在於心靈純樸，在於行為端正，而不在於種族也不在於健康。
   　    
Given the societal trend towards laxity and the emphasis on eugenics, the abortion issue is becoming graver day by day. Can abortion really solve social problems? Can abortion lead to improvements of the human species? Actually, only by not transgressing what is right, can social problems be solved. As for excellence of the human species, it depends on the state of our minds and our actions, and not on our race or physical condition.
       
以前，走上墮胎這條路必有不得已的苦衷──或許是生活不易，或許是未婚不敢生子。但現在社會風氣敗壞，連婦科醫師都感嘆，不少女孩子拿墮胎不當一回事，有人一年拿掉好幾次孩子，實在令人擔心。和過去不同的是，現在已經很少看到女孩子因墮胎而在診所裏哭得死去活來，而是一副不在乎的樣子。普遍社會大眾也視墮胎為平常事，見怪不怪。風氣的演變，令人憂心，也令人傷心！
   　    
In the past, people chose abortion as a necessary last resort; maybe they couldn’t support another child financially, or they were afraid to have a child out of wedlock. However, now social customs have deteriorated to the point that even gynecologists are shaking their heads, because many young women think having an abortion is not a big deal. Some even have several abortions in a single year. This trend is really worrisome. Another difference between the past and the present attitude is that these days, there are fewer and fewer young women who would cry their hearts out in abortion clinics. Rather, they act as if they don’t even care. In addition, most people consider having an abortion as nothing unusual. Such changes in social norm are sad and heartbreaking!
   　    
旅美高僧──宣化上人在世時，已洞察世間墮胎果報之日益昌熾，悲愍世人不知因果而妄為，每每耳提面命，提醒大家墮胎的嚴重性，諸如：「各位想一想：那個小孩子還沒生出，你就叫他（她）死，你說這個因果厲害不厲害？」、「……與其悔之於後，不如防之於前；在未婚前，不要吃避孕藥，也不要發生男女的關係……」。　    

An eminent Chinese monk who moved to America, the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua had clearly seen how the negative retribution resulting from abortion is increasing in its intensity day by day. Out of pity for people who engage in untoward actions because they don’t understand the principle of cause and effect, he repeatedly instructed everyone with the upmost sincerity, and alerted us to the seriousness of abortion. For example, the Venerable Master said, “Everyone think about it, if you kill a child even before he or she has a chance to be born, would you say the retribution for such conduct is severe or not?” He further advised that, “It is better to prevent problems from happening, rather than feeling regret afterwards. Before you get married, don’t take birth control pills, and don’t engage in sexual intercourse....”　    

墮胎，不僅是一個生命的消失，對女方的身心也是個難以撫平的創傷；在男方來說，更是一份不可推卸的責任，一份終生的愧疚；乃至家庭也失去和樂。許多曾墮胎者，將此事放在心裏，不敢說，不能說，也沒人可說。為此，上人則指示說：「過而能改，善莫大焉。」「多做功德，多懺悔，多念佛。」亡羊補牢，為小生命做些事，也給自己一個新的人生。　    

An abortion not only extinguishes a life, it also harms the couple. This is because an abortion not only leaves scars on the woman’s body and mind, it also causes the man to share undeniable responsibility, which may result in a lifetime of shame and guilt. It can even cause disharmony in a family. Many who had an abortion hide this fact, not daring to talk about their experience, or having no one to talk to. To counter the feeling of shame or remorse, the Venerable Master instructed that, “No wholesome deed is greater than correcting one's own faults;” and “Do more virtuous and meritorious deeds, do more repentance and reform, and recite the Buddha's name more often.” In other words, it is never too late to make up for one’s mistakes, such as doing something wholesome on behalf of the life that was lost, and thereby giving oneself a new start in life.　    

今出版《無辜的小鬼》一書，希望大眾正視墮胎這個問題，對此事有所反省與體悟，了解因緣果報，有個正確的觀念。千萬不要輕忽生命，要尊重靈性，也珍惜自己和那個未出世孩子的緣。更期待全世界都能導正此事，重視道德教育，引導下一代走入正途。父母更應該以身作則，不要只顧賺錢，而讓電腦、電視陪著孩子長大；應該以教育子女，做為最要緊的一件事情。   　    

By publishing the “Innocent Little Ghosts,” we hope everyone can view abortion with the proper perspective, reflect and understand the issues surrounding abortion, and truly comprehend the principle of cause and effect. We definitely should not treat others’ lives lightly. Rather, we should treasure life and cherish the affinity between the unborn child and us. We also hope that the entire world will address this issue properly and understand the importance of teaching children about ethics and morality, thereby guiding the next generation onto the correct path. Finally, parents should set good examples for their children by their own behavior. Don’t make earning money as the priority, and let computers and T.V.s be the children’s companions as they grow up. Rather, parents should treat educating their children as their most important responsibility.