📜 原文 Original Text
「放下屠刀，立地成佛。」 ——《大般涅槃经》
— Mahaparinirvana Sutra
📖 释义 Annotation
「放下屠刀」出自《涅槃经》中阿阇世王的故事。阿阇世王杀父篡位，罪孽深重，但在佛陀的教化下忏悔改过，最终获得解脱。这个故事表达了佛教最核心的慈悲精神：无论一个人犯过多大的罪过，只要真心悔改、弃恶从善，就有解脱的可能。「屠刀」不仅指杀人的刀，更象征一切恶念、恶行、执着——放下它们，就是觉醒的开始。
'Put down the butcher's knife' comes from the Nirvana Sutra's story of King Ajatasatru, who killed his father and seized the throne but repented under the Buddha's guidance and achieved liberation. This expresses Buddhism's core compassion: no matter how great one's sins, sincere repentance opens the path to freedom. The 'butcher's knife' symbolizes all evil thoughts and attachments — putting them down is the beginning of awakening.
💡 当代启示 Modern Application
改变永远不晚。「放下屠刀」告诉我们：无论过去做了什么，只要现在开始改变，就有希望。不要被过去的错误所束缚——放下，就是自由的开始。
It is never too late to change. 'Put down the butcher's knife' tells us: no matter what you've done in the past, starting to change now brings hope. Don't be bound by past mistakes — letting go is the beginning of freedom.