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2018年10月31日 星期三

八識規矩頌04


八識規矩頌04

四、唯識中道

西元七世紀間,印度的戒賢論師,依 <解深密經、無自相品> ,將如來一代時教,判為「三時教相」。這三時教相是:

一、第一時有教: 如來為使一切起惑造業的眾生,入於佛道,而說業感因緣諸法,即四聖諦十二因緣法門,令諸凡夫外道趣入小乘教法。

二、第二時空教: 如來為使一切雖斷我執未斷法執的小乘者,宣說諸法皆空之理,為令諸小乘趣入大乘的教法。

三、第三時中道教: 如來更為欲斷除小乘人偏有,及大乘人偏空的執著,而說非有非空的中道教。此中道教圓融俱足,是如來究竟了義的大乘教。

以上三時教內,前二時為如來的方便教法,是不了義教; 第三時為如來的真實教法,是了義教。而法相唯識宗的教義,便是宣說三自性、三無性的唯識中道,故法相唯識宗又稱為中道宗。

中道是什麼? 經云:「中以不二為義,道以能通為名。」中道是離開二邊對立——離開常、斷二見、有、無兩邊,而臻於不偏不倚的中正之境。

唯識中道,是建立在三自性和三無性的理論基礎上。唯識家以為,世間萬法——一切存在的事物,都有三自性,也都有三無性。三自性是遍計所執性,依他起性,圓成實性;而三無性是相無性,生無性,勝義無性。

原來唯識學立論,以為宇宙萬法,皆是能變的心識、所變起之境,這即是「萬法唯識」。而心識所變的外境,依其原始的性質,可分做三類:

一、妄有性: 這類事物本來沒有本體,是我人假立名相而有的,而我人卻普遍的執著計較,計較的物件,不外是名稱言說或義理,名稱言說不是實有,只有「妄有]

二、假有性: 這類事物,是因緣和合——眾多因素條件所生起的,如以磚瓦木石築成房屋,以泥土工具做成瓶缽,它沒有本身的實體、自性,不過是「組合」的存在 (仗因托緣的生起存在) ,這也不是實有 ,只是「假有」罷了。

三、實有性: 這是諸法的實體、自性,它不是虛妄的、暫時的存在,而是絕待的、超越的存在,事實上這是諸法絕待的理體,也即是「實性」——真實的存在。

以上三類,在佛學術語上稱為「三自性」——即是遍計所執性,依他起性,圓成實性。如 <解深密經> 上說 :「云何諸法遍計所執相,謂一切法,假名安立,自性差別,乃至為令隨起言說; 云何諸法依他起相,謂一切法緣生自相、、、、、、云何諸法圓成實相,謂一切法平等真如。」經文中的「相」字,在此處就是性的意思。所以,換一個方式說,三自性就是:

一、遍計所執性: 這是我人對一切事物,普遍的執著計較。執著於五蘊和合的假我為實我,執著於條件組合的假有為實法。或執於相,或執於名,或執於義理,時時計較,處處計較,這一切執著計較,就是我人煩惱生起的原因。

二、依他起性: 依他起的「他」,指的眾緣——眾多的因素條件。世間萬有,沒有孤立生起或存在的,全是因素條件的組合。既是組合,就會隨著組合條件的改變而變化。所以它沒有「自性」 ——即是沒有固定不變之性。

三、圓成實性: 圓者圓滿,成是成就,實是真實,合而言之,就是圓滿成就的真實體性。這真實體性不是事相,而是「理性」——超越相對的絕待真理。也就是二空——在我空和法空之後,所體證的理體。這理體也就是真如。

三自性,是以依他起性為中心。仗因托緣生起的事物,只是暫時的現象,不是永恒的實體。我人若在這因緣和合的事物上執著計較,這就是遍計所執性——普遍的計較執著,執我執法、執常執斷。如果徹悟諸法緣生,常一切時,在依他起諸法上、無遍計所執的實我實法,這就是圓成實性。 <唯識三十頌> 上說 :「依他起自性,分別緣所生,圓成實於彼,常遠離前性。前性,指的是於依他起法上,遠離普遍執著計較的遍計所執性。

因此,圓成實性,是「二空」——我空、法空之後,所顯的圓滿成就的諸法實性,也就是依他起諸法的「法性」。

一切諸法,各具三自性,同時也各具三無性,那就是相無性,生無性,勝義無性。無性,就是無自性。試想,宇宙萬有,無非全是一時組合的假相,依此假相,而立假名。我人在這一切假名、幻相上執著計較,假名幻相何嘗有其自性? 其次說生無性,依他起之法,是仗因托而生起的,它是隨著因緣的聚散而生滅,它何嘗有固定不變的自性? 最後是勝義無性,所謂勝義,就是真如。 <唯識三十頌> 曰:「此諸法勝義,亦即是真如,常如其性故,即唯識實性。」唯識實性就是圓成實性。圓成實性是超言絕慮的絕待之法,顯二空之妙理,所以說勝義無性——勝義如果有自性,就不是絕待的勝義了。

2018年10月30日 星期二

華嚴經要解一、初懸敘


華嚴經要解 -- 宋溫陵比丘戒環集

一、初懸敘
沒有自動替代文字。

大方廣佛華嚴經者。直示諸佛眾生平等。佛性本真德用也。三世諸佛所同證。十方菩薩所同修。大千聖眾所同尊。法界眾生所同具也。

釋迦如來。初成正覺。欲明所修之因。所證之果。欲使人人同修同證。故現千丈盧舍那身演說。文殊菩薩與阿難海於鐵圍山間結集。對上中下根。分為三部。上部有十三千大千世界微塵數偈。一四天下微塵數品。中部有四十九萬八千八百偈。一千二百品。下部有十萬偈。四十八品。皆自一音所演。隨類各解。為上根聞此。稱性遍周。剎說塵說。熾然無間。則大千剎塵未足究盡。猶以多數號之爾。中根聞此。惟悟當會之經。未極剎塵之說。故偈品稍寡。下根聞此。意局言詮。見存限量。故惟得十萬偈。四十八品。傳來未備。今經止四萬五千偈。三十九品。在昔結集之後。祕於龍宮。龍樹菩薩。運神海藏。觀前二部。渺若淵海。非人世所及。乃誦後部歸於五天。爰布中夏。雖豐文博義。理窮法界。事極剎塵。皆為發明當人自性故有之德。

蓋大方廣體。物物圓成。但局於識情。故束之令小。佛華嚴行。人人本具。但汩於塵勞。故失其華嚴。此經不離識情。示現智海。即諸塵勞。繁興妙用。一念圓證。則大方廣體。佛華嚴行。當處現前。不從他得。信謂自性固有矣。則詮指之要。不可不究也。

此經所詮。以毗盧法身為體。以文殊妙智為用。依智斷習。則普賢妙行為因。習盡智圓。則補處彌勒為果。一藏體要。不離此四。故以毗盧為教主。所以立體也。以文殊為信首。所以起用也。以普賢發行。所以示因也。自十信而始。五位而終。乃見彌勒。所以示果也。然體用因果。必依毗盧文殊普賢彌勒。何也。
圖像裡可能有1 人

梵語毗盧舍那。此云光明遍照。在佛為清淨法身。在人為本覺妙性。華嚴以此為體者。直欲眾生見妙性而證法身也。梵語文殊師利。此云妙德。在佛為普光大智。在人為觀察妙心。華嚴以此為用者。直欲眾生明妙心而證大智也。普賢者。德無不遍曰普。佑上利下曰賢。在佛為真淨妙行。在人為塵勞業用。華嚴以此為因者。直欲眾生翻塵勞而成妙行也。梵語彌勒。此云慈氏。在佛為補處之主。在人為數取之身。華嚴以此為果者。直欲眾生離數取而趣補處也。然則華嚴體用因果。諸佛眾生則一。但諸佛合覺。眾生合塵。故有間耳。苟於此經。一念反照。滅塵合覺。則革凡入聖信猶反掌。而自己毗盧文殊普賢彌勒。當處圓現。所謂初發心時。便成正覺。信不妄也。

二、釋題

大方廣佛。標本智也。華嚴經者。詮妙行也。本智。即平等佛性。妙行。即本真德用也。大言體極無外。蠢動賢愚。皆所預有。方言相同法界。方正平等。不遷不動。廣言用等太虛。周遍含容。無所窒礙。佛即本智之果號也。華者。萬行之因。對果言華。嚴者。以是因華。莊嚴果佛。忘心遺照。無嚴不嚴。然後福智行願。十德圓滿。乃證十身盧遮那也。清涼云。大方廣者。所證法也。佛華嚴者。能證人也。其所證者。不離本智。其能證者。不離妙行。蓋一揆也。經則貫攝所詮之法。為一定之體。萬世不易也。此經立題。先果後因。而兼舉者。何也。先果後因。示斯果佛。先所固有。特藉因華莊嚴。而後顯著。兼舉者。欲因果相資也。蓋非果則因無以立。非因則果無以成。是以此經初則舉果勸修。次復舉行趣果。一經之體。一題可見矣。

**待續  三;科解

佛說觀無量壽佛經 -- 白話解釋(一)


佛說觀無量壽佛經 -- 白話解釋()

如是我聞。一時佛在王舍城,耆闍崛山中。

「無量壽經」的圖片搜尋結果
【解】如是:是這個樣子的意思。「我」字:是編集這部「觀無量壽佛經」的阿難,稱他自己。

佛說各種經的時候,阿難都在旁邊一面聽,一面記的。整理,就是整理他所記佛說的話;聚集,就是把他所記佛說的話,聚集攏來,成功了一部佛經。

聞字:是聽到的意思,就是親自聽到佛說的。

一時:是有一個時候的意思。佛,就是釋迦牟尼佛。

王舍城,在印度的摩伽陀國;王舍城的四周圍,有五座大山圍住著的;五座大山裏頭,第一座山,就是耆闍崛山。耆闍崛,是梵語,翻譯中國文,叫靈鷲山。因為山頂的形狀,像鷲鳥的頭,所以也叫鷲頭山。

【釋】
凡是佛所說的經,都是佛的堂弟,也是佛的弟子,名叫阿難的編集起來的。這如是我聞四個字,是阿難在編經的前,先問佛將來編起經來,開頭用幾個什麼字。佛說開頭要加如是我聞四個字,可以顯明白是你阿難親自聽到我說的所以要加這四個字。意思是要使得後來的人,知道的確是編這部經的阿難自己親聽到的,不是旁人聽了告訴阿難的。並且的確是聽到佛自己的金口說的,也不是聽到旁人說的。這樣證明白了,後來誦經聽經的人,就自然會生出信心來了。所以不論什麼經,凡是釋迦牟尼佛所說的經,開頭都有如是我聞四個字的。這四個字,把他倒轉來解釋,更加容易明白,就是說我阿難親聽到佛這樣說的。是字:是這樣的意思;就是指下邊經文裏頭,從爾時王舍大城起,一直到末後名第十六觀一句,都是佛說的,都包括在如是兩個字裏頭的,都是阿難親聽到的。

佛說法的時候,只能夠說有這麼一個時候,不能夠說定某年某月某日了。佛說法的地方是在中印度摩伽陀國的王舍城。

印度地方很大,所以分做五印度:就是東印度、南印度、西印度、北印度、中印度。王舍城,是摩伽陀國一座城的名目。在王舍城的東北一座最高最大的耆闍崛山裏頭。

**待續
參考來源:
黃智海居士講述 -- 塵空法師鑒定
般若文海

2018年10月28日 星期日

八識規矩頌03


三、萬法唯識

唯識學的基本理論,即所謂「萬法唯識」,唯識家以為,宇宙間一切法相 (現象) ,全是識所變現,此即所謂「唯識無境」——境,就是宇宙萬有的一切現象。這一切現象,非外在的真實存在,而是識所變現出來的。這叫做:「識所緣,唯識所變」。

識是什麼? <大乘義林章> 曰:「識者心之別名」,又曰:「識者心也,由心集起彩畫為主之根本,故經曰唯心;分別了達之根本,故論曰唯識。或經義通因果,總言唯心,論說唯在因,但稱唯識。識了別義,在因位中識用強故,說識為唯,其義無二。

由上文可知,識就是心。但此心,並非我人胸中的肉團心。胸腔中的肉團心,只是循環系統中壓銜血液的器官,沒有了別認識的作用。或有人曰,既然不是胸中的肉團心,當然是腦袋殼中的大腦。這也只對了一半,因為離開大腦固然沒有識,但大腦並不是識。這好比有了燈管 (電燈泡) 電才會發光,但燈管並不是電。燈管只是物質性的工具,通上電流才會發光。以此類推,大腦也只是物質性的工具,如果沒有識,它同樣沒有瞭解、分別的認識作用。

識究竟是什麼? 事實上,識只是一種「功能」,功用和能力。簡單的說,識就是一種[能量」。我們由下列三種界說,以說明之:

一、識不是一種有質礙性的物質,而是一種功能。識有四個名稱,曰心、意、識、了,唯識家解釋這四種名稱,謂:「積集義是心,思量義是意,了別義是識。如抬頭見時鐘,這是明瞭; 繼而分別時間,是名分別。而此四種名稱,指的都是一種無質礙性的功能。並且八種識均有這四種功能。都可通稱為心、意、識、了,不過以功能殊勝來說,則第八識積集諸法種子,生起諸法,名之為心; 第七識恒審思量,執著自我,名之為意;前六識了別各別粗顯之境,名之為識。以上數者,只是一種能變的法性,而法性是離開名稱言說的境界,唯識之教,是「即用顯體」。說到其體,名為「如如」: 說到其用,名為「能變」。「能」則勢力生起,運轉不居;「變」則生滅如幻,非實有性。唯識立論,謂離識之外,無有外境。而所謂識,亦不過為一能變的「功能」而已。

二、識的功能,非局限於肉身,而交遍於法界 (全宇宙)。大腦是有質礙性的物質,而識是無質礙性的功能。大腦的感覺神經、運動神經,作用只限於我人的身體;而我人的識,目之所見,耳之所聞,以至於意之所思 (所謂法境) ,山河大地,日月星晨,皆在我人心識之中。識量同於虛空而無極,因此識的功用交遍法界 (此係就種子而言,至於識的現行,則隨量之大小而有局限。)

三、識為種子起現行,而種子起現行必待眾緣。識本來是一種功能,此功能未起現行時,不稱識而稱種子;種子起現行時,不稱種子而稱識。所以種子是潛在的功能,識是潛在功能發生的作用。而種子起現行,必待緣具。此緣有四種,曰因緣、等無間緣、所緣緣,增上緣,此於後文再釋。

**待續
四、唯識中道

八識規矩頌02


八識規矩頌解

二、八識規矩頌--頌題

(一)八識:
識者心之別名,是我人精神作用的主體。在唯識學上,把識分析為八種,即是眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意、末那、阿賴耶八個識。眼、耳、鼻、舌、身是五種感覺器官,合稱前五識; 意識稱為第六識,是我人心理活動的的綜合中心; 末那識稱第七識,是有情「自我意識」的中心,阿賴耶識稱第八識。它含藏「萬法種子」,是生起宇宙萬法的本源。

(二)規矩:
規矩是規範或法則,這八個識,在眾生位上,它們的行相、業用、境、量、性、界,固然有其規矩法則,即是在修行證果位上,也有其規矩法則,所以稱八識規矩。

(三)頌:
頌是一種文字體栽,含有讚美的意思,印度梵語稱為伽陀,義譯為偈。頌的形式似詩而不用韻,通常四句一首,用四、五、六、七字均可,若意思未表達完,可以繼續下去。佛經中用頌,目的在便於記憶。本頌用的是七字一句。

(四)三藏:
佛經結集,有經、律、論三藏,合稱大藏經。即佛陀所說的法稱之為經,佛陀為僧團所訂的戒律稱之為律,後世佛弟子注釋佛經、或依據佛經而發揮其義者,稱之為論。

(五)法師:
法者軌則,師者教人以道,所謂「傳道、授業、解惑」。指通達佛法,又能引導眾生修行之人。三藏法師,指精通經、律、論三藏之法師。若僅通經或律,稱為經師、律師。造論闡揚經義者,稱論師。法師是一個很尊貴的名詞,經律中廣載,出家的比丘、比丘尼具足以下十種條件,稱為法師。這十種條件是:
一者五官端正,二者六根圓備,三者出身望族,四者品德善良,五者守持戒律,六者通研三藏,七者威儀具足,八者勝辯言詞,九者聲音美好,十者忍辱知足。<瑜伽師地論> 卷八十一中,對此有更詳盡的說明。不過這個名詞現在已通俗化了,變成泛稱出家眾的名稱了。

** 待續

參自:
八識規矩頌講記--于凌波居士 講述
佛學大辭典

2018年10月27日 星期六

八識規矩頌01


八識規矩頌
作者:是唐代玄奘大師所造。

一、前言
對於唯識學中的「八識」,提綱攜領所作出的總結。
全部頌文,七言一句共四十八句,四句一頌分為十二頌,每三頌為一組,計四組。

一、      前五識頌
二、      第六識頌
三、      第七識頌
四、      第八識頌。

八識的行相、業用、性別、識量、所緣、相應等,全包括在頌文之中。
頌文辭約理著,言簡義豐,每一頌中都有許多佛學專有名詞,若不詳加講解,一般人很難瞭解。

八識規矩頌這五個字頌題,重點在「八識」二字,尤其是這個「識」字。
 <大乘義林章> 曰:「識者心之別名」。因此、識就是「心」。
在唯識學上稱識而不稱心,只是一種方便,因為心與識是一體兩面的東西。
 <大乘廣五蘊論> 上說:「云何識蘊,謂於所緣,了別為性,亦名心,能採集故。亦名意,意所攝故。」這樣看來,心、意、識三者全是一樣。

「心又是什麼呢? 」依照佛經上說:
「心」是我們精神作用的主體。原來依照佛教的教義,所謂「宇宙」(物質世間,我人賴以生存的環) 和人生 (有情世間,我人的生命體) ,不是神 (大梵天或上帝)所創造,不是無因而生,這一切,都是「因緣和合」而生起存在的。

照佛經上說,構成宇宙和人生的質料有五類,叫做色、受、想、行、識。這在佛經上叫做「五蘊」。蘊是積聚的意思,積聚許多同一性質、同一系列的事物或心理活動,把它歸成一類,就叫做蘊。

世界上所有的物質現象、和我人的心識活動,可以歸納成五類,就是前面所說的五蘊。由五蘊的「因緣和合」,而有「有情世間」——有情識、情見的眾生,和「器世間」——我人所賴以生存的物質世界的生起和存在。茲再分釋五蘊如下:

一、      色蘊:
色蘊的色,是物質的意思 (不是顏色、美色的色) ,組成色蘊的內容是地、水、火、風四種元素。其實真正所指的不是地、水、火、風四種實物,指的是堅濕、暖、動四種物性。由此四種物性,構成宇宙萬物,也包括著我們物質性的 身體在內,此即所謂「色身」。

二、      受蘊:
受蘊是我人感官接觸外境所生起的感受。此感受,有使我人愉快的樂受,有使我人不愉快的苦受,和既無愉快亦無不愉快的捨受。其實這就是感情作用。

三、      想蘊:
想蘊是知覺作用,也就是我人的感覺器官接觸外境,心識上生起分別、認識的作用。這在現代心理學上,相當於「知」,由知而形成概念。

四、      行蘊:
行蘊是我人的意志活動,這是心識中「思心所」的作用。思心所作了決定,由身 (動作) 和口 (語言) 去執行,這就是身行、語行、意行。行就是行為,也稱為「造作」,行為的後果就是「業」——身、語、意三種業。

五、      識蘊:
佛經上說,識蘊是「於所緣境了別為性」。事實上就是我人認識作用的主體,也就是心識。在小乘佛教時代,只說「六識」,就是眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意六種識,大乘佛教發展為八識。就是在六識之後,發展出末那識、阿賴耶識。這在唯識學上稱為「八識心王」,也就是「八識規矩頌」中八識二字的來源。

我人的身心,是由五蘊組合而成的,即所謂;「五蘊假合之身」。五蘊又稱「名色」,色是物質的組合,名是精神的組合,如下表所示:

色——————物質組合——物——色
受—————┐
想—————┼ 精神組合——心——名
行—————┤
識—————┘

五蘊是構成宇宙萬有的質料 (包括物質世界和各類有情——一切生命體) ,識蘊是「主觀的能認識的主體」,色、受、想、行四蘊是「客觀的所認識的物件」,如下表所示:

識——————主觀的能認識的主體——我
色—————┐
受—————┼ 客觀的所認識的物件——我所
想—————┤
行—————┘

識者心之別名,識就是心,也就是我人精神活動的主體。

註:
1. 心:指「心心觀念處」,即正念安住在心念上,覺知當下的心念是否有貪、瞋、癡等狀態。
2. 識:識知;覺知。梵語,婆哩惹儞Parijñana,心之異名。了別之義也。心對於境而了別,名為識。
唯識論一曰:「識謂了別。」「識以了境為自性。」
大乘義章三曰:「識者乃是神知之別名也。」
止觀二曰:「對境覺智,異乎木石名為心,次心籌量,名為意,了了別知名為識。」「識是一期心主。」
往生禮讚曰:「識揚神飛,觀難成就也。」
3.心所:
心所有法之略。為心王之所有,而有貪瞋等別作用之心法也。小乘俱舍有四十四法。大乘唯識有五十一法。(後續再解釋)
4.所緣:
認識的對象;心所攀緣的目標。
「所緣」有親疏之別:
(1)    親所緣,即內識所慮託之影像,亦即內識由作用所產生之影像。
(2)    疏所緣,即外在對境之本質。於成唯識論卷七,謂上記之親疏二緣並為四緣中之「所緣緣」;然唯識二十論則認為親所緣為四緣中之「所緣緣」,疏所緣為四緣中之「增上緣」。(後續再解釋)

**待續

參考來源:
八識規矩頌講記--于凌波居士 講述
佛學大辭典

2018年10月6日 星期六

妙法蓮華經觀世音菩薩普門品經(中英文對照版)


妙法蓮華經觀世音菩薩普門品經(中英文對照版)1

    The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra
Chapter Twenty-five, "The Universal Door of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva
(The Bodhisattva Who Contemplates the Sounds of All the World)"
        At that time Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva rose from his seat, uncovered his right shoulder, placed his palms together, and facing the Buddha, said, "World Honored One, by means of what causes and conditions is the Bodhisattva Gwan Shr Yin called 'Gwan Shr Yin'?"
         爾時無盡意菩薩即從座起,偏袒右肩,合掌向佛, 而作是言:‘世尊,觀世音菩薩、以何因緣、名觀世音?’

        The Buddha told Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva, "Good Man, if any of the limitless hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of living beings who are undergoing all kinds of suffering hear of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva and recite his name single-mindedly, Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva will immediately hear their voices and rescue them.
        佛告無盡意菩薩:‘善男子,若有無量百千萬億眾生、受諸苦惱,聞是觀世音菩薩,一心稱名,觀世音菩薩即時觀其音聲,皆得解脫。

        If a person who upholds the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva enters a great fire, the fire will not burn him, all because of this Bodhisattva's awesome spiritual power.
        若有持是觀世音菩薩名者,設入大火,火不能燒,由是菩薩威神力故。

        If a person being tossed about in the great sea calls out the Bodhisattva's name, he will find a shallow place.
        若為大水所漂,稱其名號,即得淺處。

        If the hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of beings who seek gold, silver, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl, carnelian, coral, amber, real pearls, and so forth enter the great sea, an evil wind may toss their boats into the territory of the rakshasha ghosts. But if among them there is even one person who calls out the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, they will all be saved from the difficulty of the rakshashas.

        若有百千萬億眾生,為求金、銀、琉璃、硨磲、瑪瑙、珊瑚、琥珀、真珠、等寶,入于大海,假使黑風吹其船舫、飄墮羅刹鬼國,其中若有乃至一人、稱觀世音菩薩名者,是諸人等,皆得解脫羅刹之難。

         For this reason, he is called Gwan Shr Yin.
         以是因緣,名觀世音。

        Further, if a person who is about to be harmed calls out the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, the swords and staves of the attackers will break into pieces and he will be saved.
        若複有人、臨當被害,稱觀世音菩薩名者,彼所執刀杖、尋段段壞,而得解脫。

        If yakshas and rakshashas enough to fill the three thousand great thousand world system come to torment a person, if they hear him call out the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, all those evil ghosts will not even be able to stare at that person with their evil eyes, how much the less harm him.
        若三千大千國土,滿中夜叉、羅刹,欲來惱人,聞其稱觀世音菩薩名者,是諸惡鬼、尚不能以惡眼視之,況複加害。

        If a person, whether guilty or not, who has been put in stocks or bound with chains calls out the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, his fetters will break apart and he will immediately be saved.
        設複有人,若有罪、若無罪,杻械、枷鎖、檢系其身,稱觀世音菩薩名者,皆悉斷壞,即得解脫。

       If thieves enough to fill the three thousand great thousand world system infest a dangerous road on which a merchant chief in charge of costly jewels is leading a group of merchants, but among the merchants there is even a single person who says, 'Good men, do not be afraid! You should all single-mindedly recite the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva. This Bodhisattva bestows fearlessness upon living beings. If you recite his name, you shall surely be saved from these robbers,' and if upon hearing that, the merchants all cry out together, 'Na mwo Gwan Shr Yin Pu Sa,' then they will immediately be saved because they recited his name.
        若三千大千國土、滿中怨賊,有一商主,將諸商人,齎持重寶、經過險路,其中一人、作是唱言:“諸善男子、勿得恐怖,汝等應當一心稱觀世音 菩薩名號,是菩薩能以無畏施于眾生,汝等若稱名者,於此怨賊、當得解脫。”眾商人聞,俱發聲言:“南無觀世音菩薩。”稱其名故,即得解脫。’      

        Inexhaustible Intention! The awesome spiritual power of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Gwan Shr Yin is as lofty and sublime as that!"
        無盡意,觀世音菩薩摩訶薩威神之力、巍巍如是。
妙法蓮華經觀世音菩薩普門品經(中英文對照版)2
  •         "If living beings who have much sexual desire constantly and reverently recite the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, they will be separated from desire.
      "若有眾生、多於淫欲,常念恭敬觀世音菩薩,便得離欲。

      "If those who have much hatred constantly and reverently recite the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, they will be separated from hatred.
            "
    若多嗔恚,常念恭敬觀世音菩薩,便得離嗔。

            "If those who are very stupid constantly and reverently recite the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, they will be separated from stupidity.
            "
    若多愚癡,常念恭敬觀世音菩薩,便得離癡。

      "Inexhaustible Intention, Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva has great awesome spiritual powers such as these and confers great benefits. Therefore living beings should always be mindful of him.
            "
    無盡意,觀世音菩薩、有如是等大威神力,多所饒益,是故眾生、常應心念。

            "If women who seek sons bow and make offerings to Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, they will give birth to blessed, virtuous, and wise sons. If they seek daughters, they will give birth to upright and handsome daughters who have planted the roots of virtue in previous lives and who are regarded and respected by all.
            "
    若有女人、設欲求男,禮拜供養觀世音菩薩,便生福德智慧之男,設欲求女,便生端正有相之女,宿植德本,眾人愛敬。
           
            "Inexhaustible Intention! Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva has powers such as these. If there are living beings who reverently bow to Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, they will be blessed and their efforts will not be in vain.Therefore living beings should all receive and uphold the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva.
            "
    觀世音菩薩有如是力,若有眾生、恭敬禮拜觀世音菩薩,福不唐捐,是故眾生皆應受持觀世音菩薩名號。

            "Inexhaustible Intention! If a person were to receive and uphold the names of Bodhisattvas in number as the grains of sand in sixty-two kotis of Ganges Rivers, and in addition were to exhaustively make offerings to them of food, drink, clothing, bedding, and medicine, what do you think-would that good man or good woman's merit and virtue be great or not?"
             "
    無盡意,若有人、受持六十二億恒河沙菩薩名字,複盡形供養飲食、衣服、臥具、醫藥,於汝意雲何,是善男子、善女人、功德多否?"

             Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva replied, "Very great, World Honored One."
             
    無盡意言:‘甚多,世尊。’

            The Buddha said, "If another person were to receive and uphold the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva and bow and make offerings but once, that person's blessings would be equal to and not different from the other person's. They could not be exhausted in hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of eons.      Inexhaustible Intention, one who receives and upholds the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva obtains the benefit of blessings and virtues as limitless and boundless as those."
            
    佛言:‘若複有人、受持觀世音菩薩名號,乃至一時禮拜、供養,是二人福,正等無異,於百千萬億劫、不可窮盡,無盡意,受持觀世音菩薩名號,得如是無量無邊福德之利。’

            Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, how does Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva roam through this Saha World? How does he speak the Dharma for living beings? How does he carry out this work with the power of expedients?"
            
    無盡意菩薩白佛言:‘世尊,觀世音菩薩、雲何遊此娑婆世界,雲何而為眾生說法,方便之力,其事雲何?’
       
            The Buddha told Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva, "Good Man, if living beings in this land must be saved by means of someone in the body of a Buddha, Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva will manifest in the body of a Buddha and speak Dharma for them. 
           
    佛告無盡意菩薩:‘善男子,若有國土眾生、應以佛身得度者,觀世音菩薩即現佛身而為說法。
        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Pratyekabuddha, he will manifest in the body of a Pratyekabuddha and speak Dharma for them.
       " 
應以辟支佛身得度者,即現辟支佛身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Hearer, he will manifest in the body of a Hearer and speak Dharma for them.
         "
應以聲聞身得度者,即現聲聞身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of the Brahma King, he will manifest in the body of the Brahma King and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以梵王身得度者,即現梵王身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of Shakra, he will manifest in the body of Shakra and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以帝釋身得度者,即現帝釋身而為說法。
        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of the God of Self-Mastery, he will manifest in the body of the God of Self-Mastery and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以自在天身得度者,即現自在天身而為說法。
       
        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of the Great God of Self-Mastery, he will manifest in the body of the Great God of Self-Mastery and speak Dharma for them. 
  
        "應以大自在天身得度者,即現大自在天身而為說法。

  "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a great heavenly general, he will manifest in the body of a great heavenly general and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以天大將軍身得度者,即現天大將軍身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of Vaishravana, he will manifest in the body of Vaishravana and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以毗沙門身得度者,即現毗沙門身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a minor king, he will manifest in the body of a minor king and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以小王身得度者,即現小王身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of an Elder, he will manifest in the body of an Elder and speak Dharma for them.
        "
應以長者身得度者,即現長者身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a layman, he will manifest in the body of a layman and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以居士身得度者,即現居士身而為說法。
        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a minister of state, he will manifest in the body of a minister of state and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以宰官身得度者,即現宰官身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Brahman, he will manifest in the body of a Brahman and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以婆羅門身得度者,即現婆羅門身而為說法。
        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Bhikshu, Bhikshuni, Upasaka, or Upasika, he will manifest in the body of a Bhikshu, Bhikshuni, Upasaka, or Upasika and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷身得度者,即現比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of the wife of an Elder, of a layman, of a minister of state, or of a Brahman, he will manifest in a wife's body and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以長者、居士、宰官、婆羅門婦女身得度者,即現長者、居士、宰官、婆羅門婦女身而為說法。

        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a pure youth or a pure maiden, he will manifest in the body of a pure youth or pure maiden and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以童男、童女身得度者,即現童男、童女身而為說法。
        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a god, dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, garuda, kinnara, mahoraga, human, or nonhuman, and so forth, he will manifest in such a body and speak Dharma for them.
        "
應以天龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩侯羅伽、人非人、等身、得度者,即皆現之而為說法。
        "If they must be saved by someone in the body of a Vajra-wielding spirit, he will manifest in the body of a Vajra-wielding spirit and speak Dharma for them.
  "應以執金剛神得度者,即現執金剛神而為說法。

        "Inexhaustible Intention! Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva has accomplished merit and virtue such as this and, in all manner of forms, roams throughout the land, saving and liberating living beings.Therefore you should all single-mindedly make offerings to Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva. Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva Mahasattva can, in the midst of fear, crisis, and hardship, bestow fearlessness. That is why in this Saha World all call him the "Bestower of Fearlessness."
  "無盡意,是觀世音菩薩成就如是功德,以種種形、游諸國土,度脫眾生,是故汝等應當一心供養觀世音菩薩。是觀世音菩薩摩訶薩,於怖畏急難之中、能施無畏,是故此娑婆世界、皆號之為施無畏者。"

        Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, I shall now make an offering to Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva." He then removed his necklace of pearls, its value in the hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold, and offered it to the Bodhisattva, saying, "Humane One, accept this Dharma offering, this necklace of precious pearls."
  無盡意菩薩白佛言:“世尊,我今當供養觀世音菩薩。’即解頸眾寶珠瓔珞、價值百千兩金,而以與之,作是言:‘仁者,受此法施珍寶瓔珞。’時觀世音菩薩不肯受之。無盡意複白觀世音菩薩言:‘仁者,憫我等故,受此瓔珞。”

        Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva refused to accept it.
  時觀世音菩薩不肯受之。

        Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva again said to Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, "Humane One, out of pity for us, accept this necklace."
  無盡意複白觀世音菩薩言:“仁者,憫我等故,受此瓔珞。”

        The Buddha then told Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, "You should take pity on Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva and the fourfold assembly, as well as the gods, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans, and so forth, and accept this necklace."
  爾時佛告觀世音菩薩:“當憫此無盡意菩薩、及四眾、天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩侯羅伽、人非人、等故,受是瓔珞。”
        Then, out of pity for the fourfold assembly, the gods, dragons, humans, nonhumans, and so forth, Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva accepted the necklace. He divided it into two parts: one part he offered to Shakyamuni Buddha and one part he offered to the Stupa of Many Jewels Buddha.
  即時觀世音菩薩憫諸四眾、及于天、龍、人非人、等,受其瓔珞,分作二分,一分奉釋迦牟尼佛,一分奉多寶佛塔。‘

        "Inexhaustible Intention, such is the self-mastery and spiritual power of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, who roams throughout the Saha World."
  “無盡意,觀世音菩薩有如是自在神力,遊於娑婆世界。”
妙法蓮華經觀世音菩薩普門品經(中英文對照版)3
  • At that time, Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva used verses to ask this question:
    爾時無盡意菩薩以偈問曰:

"World Honored One, complete with wondrous marks,
I now ask again,
Why is this disciple of the Buddha
Called Gwan Shr Yin?"
世尊妙相具,    我今重問彼,    佛子何因緣,    名為觀世音。

The Honored One of Perfect, Wondrous Marks,

With verses answered Inexhaustible Intention:
"Listen to the practice of Gwan Yin,
Who skillfully responds in all places,
With vast vows, as deep as the sea,
Throughout inconceivable eons,
Serving many thousands of kotis of Buddhas,
And making great, pure vows.
具足妙相尊,    偈答無盡意。    汝聽觀音行,    善應諸方所,
宏誓深如海,    曆劫不思議,    侍多千億佛,    發大清淨願。


"I shall now tell you in brief,
That for those who hear his name or see him,
And who are mindful of his name unceasingly,
He can extinguish the suffering of all realms of existence.
我為汝略說,    聞名及見身,    心念不空過,    能滅諸有苦。


 

"If someone is the victim of another's intent to harm,

And is pushed into a pit of fire,

If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,

The pit of fire will turn into a pool.
假使興害意,    推落大火坑,    念彼觀音力,    火坑變成池。


"If someone is being tossed about in the great sea,

And is surrounded by the dangers of dragons, fish, and ghosts,

If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
The waves will not drown him.
或漂流巨海,    龍魚諸鬼難,    念彼觀音力,    波浪不能沒。


"If someone is on the peak of Mount Sumeru,
And another person tries to push him off,
If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
He will stand firm as the sun in space.
或在須彌峰、    為人所推墮,    念彼觀音力,    如日虛空住。


"If someone is pursued by evil people,
Who want to throw him off a Vajra Mountain,
If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
The people will not be able to harm a single hair on his body.
或被惡人逐,    墮落金剛山,    念彼觀音力,    不能損一毛。


"If someone is surrounded by thieves,
 Who threaten him with knives,
If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
The thieves will all give rise to compassion.
或值怨賊繞,    各執刀加害,    念彼觀音力,    咸即起慈心.


"If someone is in difficulty with the law,
And on the verge of being executed,
If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
The knives will break into pieces.
或遭王難苦,    臨刑欲壽終,    念彼觀音力,    刀尋段段壞。
妙法蓮華經觀世音菩薩普門品經(中英文對照版)4
·         "If someone is imprisoned, shackled, or chained,
Or if his hands and feet are in stocks,
If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
His bonds will open and he will be free.
或囚禁枷鎖,    手足被杻械,    念彼觀音力,    釋然得解脫。


"If someone is about to be harmed,
By mantras, spells, or poisonous herbs,
If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
The harm will all return to the sender.
咒詛諸毒藥、    所欲害身者,    念彼觀音力,    還著於本人。


"If someone meets with evil rakshashas,

If someone meets with evil Poisonous dragons, or ghosts,
If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
They will then not dare to harm him.
或遇惡羅刹、    毒龍諸鬼等,    念彼觀音力,    時悉不敢害。


"If someone is surrounded by evil beasts,
With fearsome sharp teeth and claws,
If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
The beasts will quickly run far away.
若惡獸圍繞,    利牙爪可怖,    念彼觀音力,    疾走無邊方。


"Poisonous snakes and scorpions,
Have blazing lethal vapors,
But if one uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,

At the sound of one's voice, they will disperse.
蚖蛇及蝮蠍,    氣毒煙火燃,    念彼觀音力,    尋聲自回去。


"Clouds of roaring thunder and lightning
May send down hail or great floods of rain,
But if one uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
The clouds will immediately scatter.
雲雷鼓掣電,    降雹澍大雨,    念彼觀音力,    應時得消散。


"Living beings are beset with hardships,
And oppressed by limitless sufferings.
The power of Gwan Yin's wondrous wisdom
Can rescue the world from suffering.
眾生被困厄,    無量苦逼身,    觀音妙智力,    能救世間苦。


"Complete with the power of spiritual penetrations,
Vastly cultivating wisdom and expedient means,
Going throughout countries in the ten directions,
He manifests everywhere in all places.
具足神通力,    廣修智方便,    十方諸國土,    無刹不現身。


"The various evil destinies,

Those of the hells, ghosts, and animals,

And the pain of birth, old age, sickness, and death
Are all gradually wiped away.
種種諸惡趣,    地獄鬼畜生,    生老病死苦,    以漸悉令滅。


"True Contemplator, Pure Contemplator,
Contemplator with Vast, Great Wisdom,
Compassionate Contemplator, Kind Contemplator,
Constant are your vows, constant is our respect!
真觀清淨觀,    廣大智慧觀,    悲觀及慈觀,    常願常瞻仰。


"Undefiled pure light,
The sun of wisdom that breaks through the darkness
Is able to quell calamities of wind and fire
As it shines on all worlds.
無垢清淨光、    慧日破諸闍,    能伏災風火,    普明照世間。


"Compassionate substance: the thunder of Precepts.
Kind intent: a wondrous great cloud.
He rains down sweet dew and Dharma rain,
Which extinguish the flames of affliction.
悲體戒雷震,    慈意妙大雲,    澍甘露法雨,    滅除煩惱焰。


"In the midst of contention, when faced with lawsuits,
Or when someone is terrified on the battlefield,
If he uses the power of mindfulness of Gwan Yin,
All his many enemies will scatter and leave.
諍訟經官處,    怖畏軍陣中,    念彼觀音力,    眾怨悉退散。


"Wondrous your sound, Contemplator of the World's Sounds-
A pure sound, a sound like the sea tide,
A sound beyond all worldly sounds,
We shall always bear it in mind.
妙音觀世音、    梵音海潮音,    勝彼世間音,    是故須常念,


"In thought after thought we have no doubt.
Gwan Shr Yin is pure and sagely.
In times of suffering, agony, danger, and death,
He is our refuge and protector."
念念勿生疑。    觀世音淨聖,    於苦惱死厄、    能為作依怙。


"Complete with all merit and virtue,
With eyes of kindness, watching living beings,
He is endowed with massive blessings, limitless as the sea.
Therefore we should reverently worship him."
具一切功德,    慈眼視眾生,    福聚海無量,    是故應頂禮。


  At that time the Bodhisattva Guardian of the Earth rose from his seat and said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, if there are those who hear this chapter of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, who learn about the self-mastery of his deeds and the power of his spiritual penetrations as shown in this Universal Door, you should know that the merit and virtue of such people will not be small."
  爾時持地菩薩即從座起,前白佛言:世尊,若有眾生、聞是觀世音菩薩品、自在之業,普門示現神通力者,當知是人功德不少。

  When the Buddha had spoken the "Universal Door Chapter," eighty-four thousand living beings in the assembly all brought forth the resolve for Anuttarasamyaksambodhi.
  佛說是普門品時,眾中八萬四千眾生,皆發無等等阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。