摘要：佛教中有很多菩萨，其中，观音、文殊、地藏、普贤是我们最为熟悉的四大菩萨，分别代表菩萨成就的不同品质——观音菩萨代表大悲，文殊菩萨代表大智，地藏菩萨代表大愿，普贤菩萨代表大行。

佛教中有很多菩萨，其中，观音、文殊、地藏、普贤是我们最为熟悉的四大菩萨，分别代表菩萨成就的不同品质——观音菩萨代表大悲，文殊菩萨代表大智，地藏菩萨代表大愿，普贤菩萨代表大行。

In Buddhism, there are many bodhisattvas, and the four most familiar ones are Guanyin, Manjushri, Ksitigarbha, and Samantabhadra. Each represents a distinct virtue they have attained: Guanyin embodies great compassion, Manjushri great wisdom, Ksitigarbha great vows, and Samantabhadra great conduct.

当然这并不是说，观音菩萨除了大悲就不具备其他品质，而是以大悲最为突出，同时以种种方便为众生开示，引导众生修习大悲。其他菩萨亦然。

However, this does not mean Guanyin only possesses great compassion at the expense of other qualities. Rather, great compassion is his most notable attribute, and he skillfully employs various methods to guide sentient beings towards cultivating it. The same is true for the other bodhisattvas.

那么，怎样学习菩萨的行持和法门？现在很多人把诵经作为学佛的主要方式，可我们想过没有，经到底是念给谁听的？念给佛菩萨听吗？佛菩萨是不需要听的。如果是念给自己听，意义又在哪里?

Yet, how do we learn the practices and teachings of bodhisattvas? Many people today see reciting sutras as the main way to study Buddhism, but have we ever considered for whom we are reciting these sutras? Are we doing it for buddhas and bodhisattvas? But they do not need to hear our recitations. Or, if we are reciting sutras for ourselves, what is then the underlying significance?

事实上，诵经的关键在于，了解其中阐述的修行内涵、法门和原理，进而依教奉行。如果纯粹把它当作功课，有口无心地念一念，虽然也能种点善根，但对诵经蕴含的意义而言，实在是微不足道的。所以我们要了解敬香、礼佛、诵经的真意，把对佛菩萨的纪念，升华为对修行具有实际意义的纪念。

In reality, the real purpose of reciting sutras is to understand the teachings, methods, and principles they articulate, so we can follow them as guidance in our spiritual cultivation. If we treat sutra recitation merely as an obligation and do it absentmindedly, while it might plant some seeds of merit, its benefit is truly trivial compared to the profound insights contained in the sutras. Thus, we need to understand the deeper meanings behind practices like reciting sutras, offering incense, and venerating the Buddha. In doing so, we can transform our commemoration of the Buddha and bodhisattvas into actions that have real and practical significance in our cultivation.

“千江有水千江月，万里无云万里天。”月亮为什么能映现水中？因为水是清净的。同样，必须是清净的心，才能和佛菩萨感应道交。很多人信仰观音菩萨，可我们问问自己：对菩萨有多少了解？和菩萨的行为是否相应？如果不了解、不相应，只是根据个人需要求求拜拜，就会流于盲目和迷信。

“A thousand streams, with water flowing by, mirror a thousand reflections of the moon; Countless miles of azure, where no clouds lie, unveil countless miles of the majestic sky.” Why can the water reflect the moon? Because the water is pure. Similarly, it takes a pure heart to resonate and connect with buddhas and bodhisattvas. Many of us believe in Guanyin, but we must ask ourselves: How well do we truly know about him? Do our actions align with his? If we do not know him well or our actions do not align, and we merely pray for our personal blessings, we risk falling into blind faith and superstition.

如何才能和佛菩萨相应？首先要虔诚，这是成就清净心的基础。如果其中夹杂强烈的世俗贪著，这种祈求是不清净的，无法达到净化内心的效果。进一步，还要了解佛菩萨出世的目的。佛陀出现于世，是要开示众生悟入佛的知见，引导众生行佛所行，证佛所证。

How do we connect with buddhas and bodhisattvas? First, we need to be devout, as this is the foundation for attaining a pure heart. If our prayers are intermingled with intense worldly desire, they become impure and can no longer cleanse our minds. Furthermore, it is crucial to understand the reasons why buddhas and bodhisattvas appeared in our world. The buddha came to this world to awaken all sentient beings to his wisdom, guide them along the path he took, and help them to realize the same enlightenment.

摘自《向观音菩萨学修行》

作者：济群法师

Excerpted from:

Studying the Path with Guanyin Bodhisattva

By Master Jiqun

来源：云水三千