馮興東（四川成都）
我家鄉國家級地址公園——江油竇團山，有中國規模最大的轉經筒——飛天藏，它是我國佛教和道教同住一廟、和諧共生的典範；同時也是我國儒、釋、道文化相互信任，包容互生，不同宗教文化融合的典範。
時至今日，由於網絡發展及經貿往來，沒有任何一個地域在宗教信仰和文化交流上是可以完全封閉的，從而必然形成不同文化的交融、互動和對話，通過這種跨文化的對話，逐漸形成不同宗教信仰之間的相互信任。
道教是中國本土宗教，以“道”為最高信仰。發源於古代本土中國春秋戰國的方仙家，是一個崇拜諸多神明的多神教原生的宗教形式，主要宗旨是追求長生不死、得道成仙、濟世救人。然而，為迎接這美好的明天，形成有意義，有價值的信仰間的交流與對話，我們應該怎樣去認識道教與其他宗教的相似性與差異呢？我將通過宗教的以下四個基本命題來說明它。
一、生與死。生死是人生的根本問題，世界宗教（主要指基督教、天主教、佛教、伊斯蘭教，下文中提到的意義相同）對人的生與死有不同的教理和認識；但是如何超越生與死，趨於永恆，是宗教永恆的主題，並且每一個宗教都作出了自己的回答。世界宗教都把生與死對立起來，大多都認為生是痛苦的，而死是對這種痛苦的解
而道教的生死觀卻與其他宗教截然不同。道教認為，人活在這個世界是一件樂事，仙道貴生，而死亡才是最可怕的事情；所以要通過煉丹、養生、氣功、禪定等等來揚生抑死。
二、靈與肉。靈魂（神）與肉體（形）的關係也是宗教的基本命題，世界宗教以靈肉二分論和靈魂不死觀念為基礎，認可靈魂和肉體是可以離異的。
而道教不講禁慾，而重視順欲節慾，注重形與神的實際修煉，長生久視，形神不離；延年益壽只是修行的手段，不是目的，只是養生的一部份，稱為“命功”；而精神的超越，思想的自由，心性修煉，人格養成，才是人生最高境界和修煉的真諦，又稱“性功”；命功修行，性功修心，形神雙修，性命雙修。通過追求順欲節慾，使欲得宜，從而“守一存真，乃能通
三、神與人。世界宗教在人和神之間有一條不可逾越的鴻溝，主張神人分離。在神人觀上表現為人對神的絕對服從和神對人的絕對支配。而道教在神人觀上所表現為人對神的相對獨立性，主張神人合一；中國歷史上的忠誠文臣，卓越武將，有德權貴，都可以從祀奉上升到神平等的地位，比如孔子、岳飛、皇帝等等。
四、因果報應。世界宗教有美好的“未來世界”，同時還宣揚天堂、地獄、亡靈等因果報應觀，因此信仰者只有廣積善緣，才有好報，這種報應主要是來世報。道教也提倡因果報應，但道教善惡的標準是“道”，只有符合天地之道的事才是“善”，反之即是“惡”。道教不只勸說人們求得自身解脫，而且提醒人們為子孫後代積功累德。自己功德將會留給後世子孫，並由子孫來承負，無可逃匿，這種報應，不在來世，而在今世。
宗教都具有真、善、美的共性，都可以使我們進入幸福快樂。對於宗教的本質以及教理教義，歷來仁者見仁，智者見智，但是有一點是共同的，那就是宗教信仰使我們人類實現了“內”、“外”的平衡、和諧、歡喜。所謂“內”，即是人自身以及五臟六腑及精神世界；所謂“外”，即是人自身以外的自然環境、社會環境、人際環境。
通過我們理性的認識，瞭解了道教與其他宗教的相似性和差異，認識到一切宗教的終極目標是希望人們：言語上講善，行為上行善，心靈上盡善，從而以“善”為基礎，相互信任，包容互生，形成跨文化的建設性的對話。
威嚴儀式
Taoist beliefs and cross - cultural dialogue
Xingdong Feng (Sichuan ChengDu)
There is China’s biggest group of prayer wheels named Feitianzang in Mountain Doutuan, the national park in my hometown. As Buddhism and Taoism exist harmoniously in this temple, it could be regarded as the model of harmonious symbiosis. Moreover, it is an example of cultural integration of different religions, where Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are coexisting in this peaceful site based on mutual trust, compatibility and respect.
Currently, due to the development of internet and trading, there is no place being isolated in religion and culture communication. In this circumstance, it's a trend for cross-culture communications, gradually building mutual trust between different culture and religions.
Taoism is an indigenous religion of China, which regards Tao as its highest belief. Originated from Fangxianjia in the period of Spring&Autumn and Warring, Taoist is a religion form of polytheism of worshiping various gods. The main purpose of Taoist is to pursue immortality and save people who suffer from diseases, starvation and pain. Nevertheless, in order to establish meaningful and valuable communication between different beliefs, it’s important to distinguish the similarities and differences among various religions. Basically, it could be explained in 4 different perspectives.
Firstly, the birth and death. Birth and death is the fundamental proposition of life. World religions (mainly refer to Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Islamism, the same meanings mentioned below) have different cognitions and dogmata on birth and death. However, the eternal theme of religion is to find out how to transcend life and death and become eternal. And each religion has its own understaning on this topic. Typically，world religions regard birth and death as totally opposed things. Birth is a process of suffering while death is the step to liberation from the suffering. However, Taoism’s opinion on birth and death is entirely different. Taoism believes it’s a great pleasure to be alive. Death is the most terrible thing. Hence, they focus on the practice of alchemy, Qigong, Mediation and anti-aging to pursue the meaning of Taoist.
Secondly, Soul and body. The relationship between soul and body is another basic proposition of religion. World religions accept soul and body could be separated based on the concept of Dichotomy of Soul-Body and Immortality of Soul. Taoism does not support abstinence but emphasizes on abstinence and practice of soul and spirit and the rule of longevity. To prolong life is only a means to practice, not the ultimate goals. It is a part of health preservation, called ‘Ming gong’ . The lofty realm of life and the essence of Taoist practice is to realize transcendence of spirit, freedom of thoughts, disposition of practice and cultivate personality. This part is called ‘Xing gong’. ‘Ming gong’ is mainly for the behavior practice. The ‘Xing gong’ is mainly for the inner world practice. Practicing both physically and mentally would be beneficial to the metals. By abstinence, people could realize the unity of mortal and universe.
Thirdly, the god and the mortal. World religion believe there is a wide gap between god and mortal. Gods create the mortals. Hence, god could dominate mortals. Mortals should obey to the gods completely. However, Taoist believes the relative independence between mortal and god. In their opinion, gods and mortals could be the same thing to some extent. In Chinese history, loyal officers, excellent generals, noble celebrities could have the same status as gods, such as Confucius, Yue Fei and the emperor, etc..
Fourthly, the karma. World religions have beautiful hypothesis about ‘future world’. They advocate the heave, the hell, the dead and other karma concept. Therefore, believer should do good things to get positive repay. Basically, the repay is mainly for the next life. Taoist has the same karma cognition. But differently, the standard to distinguish good and evil is the Tao. Only those things according with the universe could be regarded as good. Conversely, it would be the evil. Taoist not only persuade people to improve themselves, but also remind them to do positive things to the afterworld. In addition, the merits could be inherited to posterity. Thereafter, their posterity could enjoy the achievements of their ancestors.
All religions have common identification on truth, good and beauty. For most people, truth good and beauty represent happiness. As for the essential aspect of religion, different people have various opinions. However, it still has something in common. For example, religion and belief help us to balance the inner world and outside. Basically, the inner world is the physical organs and the spiritual world. As for the outside, it is the nature, the society and environment.
Through knowing the similarity and difference between Taoist and other religions, we form our rational cognition on religions. The goal of all religions is to influence individuals to purse good things, like the Harmonious symbiosis with people and nature. Additionally, establishing Trust and forgiveness to promote cross-culture communication is anot.
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