the purpose behind what a buddhist does what s/he does

reposting this fb post to store this away in the storeroom as things in fb become lost overtime. it also allows an opportunity for pple who dun go on fb to have a chance to be in touch with the info.

150113-purpose behind the action[acknowledgement: Buddhist Life Mission 佛教生命协会]

my attempt at translating the words:

拜佛,不是弯下身体,而是放下傲慢。
(to pay respect to Buddha, is not about the body bending, but laying down one’s ego.)

念佛,不是声音数目,而是清净心地。
(to chant, is not about the sound nor the quantity, but to clear one’s mind.)

合掌,不是并拢双手,而是恭敬万有。
(to join one’s hand _/\_, is not about putting both hands together _/\_, but to respect all things present.)

禅定,不是長坐不起,而是心外無物。
(to meditate, is not about sitting there for long, but to clear one’s mind of external existence.)

信佛,不是學習知識,而是踐行無我。
(to become a buddhist, is not about acquiring knowledge, but to learn and practise the path of selflessness.)

pulling all the 4 lines together:
To pay respect to Buddha, is not about the body bending, but laying down one’s ego.
To chant, is not about the sound nor the quantity, but to clear one’s mind.
To join one’s hand _/\_, is not about putting both hands together _/\_, but to respect all things present.
To meditate, is not about sitting there for long, but to clear one’s mind of external existence.
To become a buddhist, is not about acquiring knowledge, but to learn and practise the path of selflessness.

Amitābha 阿弥陀佛。