纪录片《佛教世界的七大奇观》 泰国卧佛寺（2）

The gold Buddha¹ is 141ft long and 49ft high.

这尊黄金卧佛有141英尺（43米）长49英尺（15米）高。

Started in 1788, it took over five years to build.

于1788年动工，历时五年建成。

This's one of the most stunning², gobsmacking works of monumental art I have ever seen.

这是我见过的最惊人、最令人瞠目结舌的巨型艺术作品之一。

I have to say I love its audacity³, I love the fact that it says,

我忍不住要说，我热爱这佛像的雄伟壮观。卧佛好像在对我说，

"Look at me, look at what mankind can do when he manipulates raw materials to create a thing of beauty."

“看看我，看看人类的巧夺天工，能用原材料创造出如此美丽的事物。”

Because here there are thousands of fragments of mother-of-pearl used and a 153 plates of gold.

因为人们使用了数千片珍珠贝母和153盘黄金。

But what it doesn't seem to me to say is that this is an incarnation of the Middle Path,

但在我看来，这并不像是“中道”的体现。

that essential Buddhist⁴ notion that extremes and excesses should be avoided at all costs.

因为在佛教的基本理念中，极端和过度的行为是应不惜一切代价要避免的。

Because there is no doubt that this is a thing of opulence⁵.

而这黄金卧佛，毫无疑问，是富丽堂皇的。

It's enormous, it's gorgeous and it's very sensuous⁶.

他是如此恢宏，壮观富于美感。

In history of Thailand, there are a lot of large-scale reclining Buddhas⁷ built all over central part of Thailand.

泰国历史上有许多巨型卧佛且遍布泰国中部地区。

Because to build a reclining Buddha,

建造卧佛可不是件容易的事情，

it's not a very easy process because most of the reclining Buddha is not made from casting it's made from bricks, plaster, or cement.

因为大多数卧佛不是铸造的，而是由砖、石膏、水泥修筑成的。

It's considered very respectful image, so it must be decorated with very valuable materials.

这是非常让人心生敬仰的形象，所以必须用非常贵重的材料来装饰。

And, of course, the most valuable materials for decorating the image of Lord Buddha should be gold.

装饰佛像最为尊贵的材料当然是黄金。

Gold in Buddhism⁸ symbolizes⁹ the sun, or fire.

在佛教中，金色象征太阳和火。

The most valuable of metals, it is accorded a sacred status through its association with Surya, the sun god of the Hindu pantheon.

这种最有价值的金属凭借它与印度教太阳神苏利耶的联系，被赋予了一种神圣的地位。

1 Buddha   

n.佛；佛像；佛陀

参考例句：

• Several women knelt down before the statue of Buddha and prayed.几个妇女跪在佛像前祈祷。
• He has kept the figure of Buddha for luck.为了图吉利他一直保存着这尊佛像。

2 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

3 audacity   

n.大胆，卤莽，无礼

参考例句：

• He had the audacity to ask for an increase in salary.他竟然厚着脸皮要求增加薪水。
• He had the audacity to pick pockets in broad daylight.他竟敢在光天化日之下掏包。

4 Buddhist   

adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒

参考例句：

• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
• In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里，人世上一切事情都是空的。

5 opulence   

n.财富，富裕

参考例句：

• His eyes had never beheld such opulence.他从未见过这样的财富。
• He owes his opulence to work hard.他的财富乃辛勤工作得来。

6 sensuous   

adj.激发美感的；感官的，感觉上的

参考例句：

• Don't get the idea that value of music is commensurate with its sensuous appeal.不要以为音乐的价值与其美的感染力相等。
• The flowers that wreathed his parlor stifled him with their sensuous perfume.包围著客厅的花以其刺激人的香味使他窒息。

7 Buddhas   

n.佛，佛陀，佛像( Buddha的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• She called on spirits and Buddhas and made innumerable vows, all to no avail. 她把一切的神佛都喊到了，并且许下多少誓愿，都没有用。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
• Tibetans identification with the political role of Living Buddhas is declining. 藏新政权的政治舞台中活佛的政治角色处于边缘。 来自互联网

8 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

9 symbolizes   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The use of light and dark symbolizes good and evil. 用光明与黑暗来象征善与恶。
• She likes olive because It'symbolizes peace. 她喜欢橄榄色因为它象征着和平。 来自《简明英汉词典》