Home昔日真理報2017年 真理報文章2017 年 1 月【日本樂散步】新年追「初」

【日本樂散步】新年追「初」

 

Chion

 

問日本的朋友們,他們因有沒有信仰或信什麼教,多數的答案是沒有特定的。發覺信仰已經潛移默化在他們的日常生活文化當中,在傳統活動、過節習慣已滲透了大大小小的迷信。其實也是全人類共同傾向,特別愛在新年之初,追求福份及好意頭。來看看新年的首天開始,日本人對「初」字的熱愛!

元旦是 1 月 1 日叫初日,新一年最初的一天。

Chion 1零時零分,寺院中所謂特別吉利的新年「初鐘聲」,第 108 下「除夜之鐘」會敲下,把人活著就必有的 108 種煩惱以及晦氣除去。之前 107 下已在幾小時前,被一早報名排列整齊的人們逐一敲下,人們也一邊反省檢討過去一年的所作所為。敲鐘也只是一種安慰反省的儀式,世間的煩惱那可能只有 108 種,而是無盡的。十二月初有新聞說及某寺的「初鐘」會中止,因有鄰近居民投訴半夜敲鐘擾人睡眠,日本人都不是全部接受這佛教過節的傳統活動。

元旦 5 點半左右,有一班早起的人們,懷着期望及感謝的心準備迎接「初日之出」,新一年第一個衝破黑暗帶來光明的日出,代表著新年新希望。日本人看大自然,不自覺地會流露濃濃肅然起敬的態度。雖然說不上是信仰,但多數是有神論者,對神明有尊重之心。新年到數天內,天文台會收到很多查詢電話,詢問天氣及在那裏可以清楚看到晨光第一線。有心者想盡辦法在高處看日出,東京最高的睛空塔、東京塔,各大高樓展望台會特別在 1 月 1 日 5 點開門迎客。更誇張的,會坐早便飛機看日出!再過幾年,會不會推出坐火箭或在太空站或月球看日出之旅?是否已是人類能到達的最高之處?

新年的首三天,有一件一家大細必去做的傳統事-「初詣」,就是穿上和服正裝,去神宮、寺廟作新一年第一次參拜。不論平時 364 日是否教徒,這幾天風俗習慣上,會全家一起向神靈表達感謝,祈願新的一年無災無難、平安健康。虔誠的信徒更會通宵排隊,為了盡早插上第一支香,迷信這樣做所求的事應驗情度會增大。不過,年青新一代,已經越來越少參與這類傳統活動。有一些更不會在新年期間團年,回家探望父母或祖父母。如中國人春節時旅遊避年一樣,親友互相拜年的民情風俗已漸漸式微。不是自動自發的真信仰,參拜祈福變成例行公事,變成可避就避過。

新年也是賺錢的大好日子,日本名物「福袋」就是大小商店每年首天「初買賣」的重頭戲。福袋的賣點是「物價超所值」的幸運袋,商店把遠超過售價、同類但不指定的商品裝在不透明的袋中出售,抓住人們貪小便宜及愛試運氣,挑撥充滿期待的購物心理,福袋大助去積貨,賺得盆滿缽滿。所以很多有高級名店初營業那天,人們就早起排長隊等候開門搶購。雖然能以低價搶購限量福袋,但袋中未知數的商品未必件件合心意。朋友想要白色外套,誰知道辛苦搶到的那袋是黑色的,超值的福變無用的愁。又有位女士搶到最後一包 100 雙名牌襪,高興地大叫只用了 1 折價錢!但她只有一雙腳,100 雙要穿到幾時?精明消費者還是只買消耗品福袋,因一定會用得著。

過年後第一次做的夢叫「初夢」,古人說這個夢會顯示今年的運程。吉祥如意的夢就是夢見「一富士山二鷹三茄子四扇五煙草六座頭」,首三個好夢是「不死山」「高」及「成」的日文諧音,尾三個比較少人知的是扇子廣開「子孫商務繁盛」、煙昇「運氣上昇」及和尚無毛髮「無傷無痛」等意喻。發夢多數未醒先忘,誰知道那個才是初夢,真有點「不可能任務」的感覺!

不只日本,各國民間都有很多不同種類、奇奇怪怪的迷信,這一切都表明人們對未來的不安,想要透過一些好意頭的東西,一些祈福儀式,去抓住虛無飄渺的福氣。特別在新年之「初」,總有一種想丟掉過去一年的不好不滿意,重頭再來籌算,重新再開始的想法。

詩篇20:4、7「(願神)將你心所願的賜給你,成就你的一切籌算。有人靠車,有人靠馬,但我們要提到耶和華─我們神的名。」前半是令人興奮的新年祝福,誰不想心想事成!但誰可以知道未來一年會發生什麼事,人的籌算是最好的準備嗎?心願太多也不知道應該求那些才好呢?所以我也送上後半的祝福,但願大家都是真正單單、高舉、依靠大有能力賜福的神,讓衪為你全部籌算,而不是靠會變壞或抓不到的東西。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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