我们每天念观世音菩萨的圣号，这个圣号应该怎样念呢？真正的全称要这样念：“南无大慈大悲救苦救难广大灵感观世音菩萨”。一般的人是这样念：“南无大慈大悲观世音菩萨”或“南无观世音菩萨”。念观世音菩萨的圣号，首先，从念佛经开始，就是说不能单单念圣号，必须要先念佛经，然后再称观世音菩萨圣号。师父现在教你们很重要的一点，因为平时念经加上称圣号，实际上相互大感应。
Every day, we chant the holy name of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. But how should we do this correctly? The complete invocation is: “Namo the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate, Saviour from Suffering, and Vast Miraculous Guan Yin Bodhisattva.” Most people chant: “Namo the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva” or simply “Namo Guan Yin Bodhisattva”. When chanting Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s holy name, one should begin with reciting Buddhist scriptures. This means one shouldn’t just chant the holy name alone; it’s crucial to recite the Buddhist scriptures first and then invoke Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s holy name. I’d like to highlight an essential point: there is a profound spiritual response between regular scripture recitation and the invocation of the holy name.
所以当你们遇到灾难的时候，来不及念大经，只念圣号也可以。要从内心发出“南无大慈大悲观世音菩萨，求观世音菩萨救救我，救救我……”如果实在着急，就直接叫“观世音菩萨，观世音菩萨……”因为观世音菩萨悲心深切，观世音菩萨救人的心很急切，你们只要一念观世音菩萨的圣号，观世音菩萨马上就有感应。你们一定要记住，只要念“观世音菩萨救救我”，菩萨就会来救你的，因为观世音菩萨是闻声救苦，观世音菩萨是有求必应的，所以，观世音菩萨与苦难的众生宿缘深故，也许你在前几世就拜过观世音菩萨，求过观世音菩萨。你们与观世音菩萨的缘分早已连在一起了，因此你们一求就会灵。
Thus, when you face calamities and don’t have the time to recite lengthy scriptures, chanting the holy name alone suffices. From the depths of your heart, call out, “Namo the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva, please save me, save me…” In urgent situations, you can simply call, “Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Guan Yin Bodhisattva…” Because of Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s profound compassion and eagerness to save, just chanting her name brings about an immediate response. Always remember, merely chanting “Guan Yin Bodhisattva, please save me,” guarantees her help. Guan Yin Bodhisattva saves upon hearing the call and is ever-responsive. Perhaps, in past lives, you’ve worshipped and sought her assistance. Your bond with Guan Yin Bodhisattva is deep-rooted; thus, your prayers will always be answered.
佛之慈悲，不及观音。因为观世音菩萨是代佛垂慈的救苦者，观世音菩萨是佛菩萨中大慈大悲救度众生的代表，因此真正碰到困难的时候，你求哪位菩萨都不如先求观世音菩萨，因为观世音菩萨是救苦救难的代表。释迦牟尼佛在世的时候，让众生求观世音菩萨。释迦牟尼佛说：观世音菩萨，于过去无量劫中，早已究竟成佛。观世音菩萨成佛在释迦牟尼佛之前，由于观世音菩萨的大悲愿力，为了成就一切众生的道业，仍然示现为菩萨。观世音菩萨的慈悲心是众佛菩萨的代表和榜样。每位菩萨成道，都有不同的愿力，比如，大悲观世音菩萨，大智文殊菩萨，大行普贤菩萨，大愿地藏王菩萨。而每位菩萨的愿力不同各有其特点，千万不可以拿菩萨相互比较，切记！菩萨都具有圆融的智慧，只是愿力不同而已。释迦牟尼佛在世的时候，也令苦难的众生念观音，何况我们呢？
While the Buddha is immensely compassionate, the compassion of Guan Yin Bodhisattva is especially renowned. Representing the very embodiment of Buddha’s compassion and a saviour from suffering, Guan Yin Bodhisattva stands as a symbol of immense mercy and compassion among the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. She is the embodiment of salvation during hardships. During times of challenge, seeking Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s assistance is highly recommended. Even Shakyamuni Buddha encouraged beings to invoke the help of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Shakyamuni Buddha noted that Guan Yin Bodhisattva, throughout immeasurable eons past, had already attained Buddhahood. Though Guan Yin Bodhisattva achieved enlightenment before Shakyamuni Buddha, her immense compassionate vows led her to continue appearing as a Bodhisattva, helping all beings accomplish their Way. Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s compassion stands as an exemplar for all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Each Bodhisattva, upon reaching enlightenment, takes unique vows. This includes the Great Compassion of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, the Great Wisdom of Manjushri Bodhisattva, the Great Conduct of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and the Great Vow of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Every Bodhisattva’s vow has its distinct features, and one must not compare one against the other. Remember, each Bodhisattva possesses consummate wisdom, varying only in their respective vows. Shakyamuni Buddha, during his time on earth, also guided those in suffering to recite the holy name of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Considering this, shouldn’t we do the same?
接下来师父给大家讲见地相等，用现在白话佛法来讲，就是你的见识和他的见识是相等的。比如，你到美国留过学，他到英国留过学，这就叫见地相等。也就是说我们学佛的基础是相等的，只有相等了，你才能把这么好的佛法传给他。过去是佛传佛的，菩萨不是像你们现在这样上课的，是单传独授。现在是末法时期，如果一个传一个，必须这个人的见地和你的见地是相同的，就是你的文化水准和他的文化水准是一样的，也就是你信佛的程度和他信佛的程度是一样的，你的境界和他们的境界一样的，这就叫见地相等。只有见地相等才能传承，我们今天救人也是这样的。
Next, I’ll discuss the principle of “equivalent understanding.” In plain terms of Buddhism, it means that your perspective aligns with another’s. For instance, if you’ve studied in the United States and someone else in the UK, it’s seen as having “equivalent understanding.” This implies that both of your foundational grasps of Buddhism are alike. Only with this aligned understanding can the profound teachings of Buddhism be transmitted. Traditionally, teachings flowed from one Buddha to another. Bodhisattvas didn’t attend classes like you do today; they received teachings one-on-one. In this Age of Dharma Decline, for teachings to be transmitted from one to another, both parties should possess similar understanding. That means being on par in terms of cultural exposure, depth of faith in Buddhism, and spiritual progress. This is the essence of “equivalent understanding.” True transmission occurs when there’s this alignment in understanding. Our method of awakening others today follows this same guideline.
如果你明白的道理多，而不是真正佛菩萨的真理，是人间的道理，这就像你这个心里面倒满了水，倒满了水之后，就无法再加进水了，也就是你不能接受更多更好的真理了。比如冬天想喝热水时，而杯子里有很多凉水，加进一点热水后，杯子里的水还是凉的，把凉水倒掉，然后加进去的水才是热水。你们必须把心里挖干净，不许留有已经学过的东西，不许在心里有这个法门学学、那个法门学学的思想，不然你们怎么样接受师父这么好的法门呢？你们都知道，只要杯子里面有凉水，加进热水后，这个杯子里的水就变成温的了，而不是热水。只有一点点凉水都没有，倒进去的热水才是真正的热水。东学学，西学学，实际上是在融会贯通那些自己都不知道是不是对的东西。为什么修心要有一个境界？比如师父教授你们的是热水，每天往你们身上浇灌，而你们在这之前已经学了很多的法门，如果你们不把之前学的清空，你们将永远喝不到热水，喝到的永远是温水，这就是用白话讲解佛法。
If you possess vast knowledge that doesn’t encompass the genuine teachings of Buddha and Bodhisattvas but clings to mundane human reasonings, it’s akin to a vessel being full of water. Once full, it can’t accept more. Picture a cup brimming with cold water during winter; even if you pour in some hot water, the resulting mixture remains lukewarm. To truly fill it with hot water, you must first empty out the cold. You must purify your heart, setting aside former teachings, and not shifting between one Dharma Door and another. Otherwise, how can you truly embrace the profound Dharma Door I’m imparting? As many of you recognise, if a cup contains cold water and you add hot water, the result is merely lukewarm. Only when the cold water is entirely absent does the added hot water retain its heat. Picking up bits of knowledge here and there often leads to merging ideas you’re not even certain are accurate. Why is there a need for a particular spiritual state in mind cultivation? Let’s say the teachings I provide you are akin to “hot water” being poured upon you daily. But if you’ve previously absorbed various other Dharma Doors and fail to let go of them, you’ll constantly drink lukewarm water, never truly experiencing the hot. This analogy is using plain terms to explain Buddhist teachings.
那么怎样得到这个法门呢？记住要一门深入。如果你本身的意见很多，你的心已经很杂乱了，接触了各种各样的人和事，还有社会上的是非纷争。那么神圣的、好的东西就不能进入到你的心里，就不能在你的心里扎下根。因为神圣的东西是不能有丝毫的杂乱肮脏在内，也就是说在你的心里，不能有丝毫的你所学过的不相称的法门、不相配的东西在内，这就是境界。所以要一门深入，一个人一辈子的时间只能专学一门，学多了不一定能精进，并且不能深入，也就是有可能不成功。
So, how does one attain this Dharma Door? Remember, one must immerse oneself solely in this Dharma Door. If you harbour many personal views and your heart is muddled, having encountered a myriad of people, events, and societal conflicts, then the sacred and the good can’t find a place in your heart. This is because the divine can’t be mixed with even a hint of disorder or contamination. Essentially, in your heart, there should be no remnants of teachings that don’t resonate or elements that are incongruent. This reflects the core of one’s spiritual state. Therefore, immerse yourself deeply in a single Dharma Door. In a lifetime, one can truly master only one Dharma Door. Learning many doesn’t guarantee proficiency; one might not delve deep and could fail.
师父的法门之所以受人敬仰，是因为师父的法门是百姓最好的法门，是在家居士学习的最好、最方便的法门。弘法这条路我们要走到底，救人要救到底。只要你常去关心人家，人家就会关心你，你常去慈悲人家，就有菩萨慈悲你。
The reason the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door I teach is so revered is because it’s the finest for the everyday person, and it’s the most suitable and convenient for household practitioners to study. We must be steadfast in our journey of promoting the Dharma and awakening others. If you consistently show concern for others, they will reciprocate. If you frequently express compassion towards others, the Bodhisattvas will extend their compassion to you.
告诉你们一个道理，关心别人就是关心自己，慈悲人家就是慈悲自己。我们人就是这么糊涂，永远不知道对人家好，就知道对自己好。对自己好，实际上就是对人家不好，这就是唯物辩证法。要明白你付出后，得到的是无上的荣光，得到的是无上的喜悦，得到的是人生的真谛。布施就是真谛，慈悲就是真谛。而不知道布施和慈悲的人，永远得不到法喜，如从不赞扬别人的人，别人也不会赞扬他，他就得不到开心的机会。
I want to share a fundamental understanding with you: looking out for others is the same as looking out for oneself; extending compassion to others is akin to being compassionate to oneself. We, as humans, often muddle through, perpetually neglecting to treat others kindly and always putting ourselves first. But prioritising ourselves often comes at the detriment of others. This reflects the dialectical way of thinking. Recognise that in giving, you’re graced with unmatched honour, unparalleled joy, and you come to understand the true essence of life. Generosity is the core truth; compassion is the core truth. Those who aren’t generous or compassionate will never experience the joy of the Dharma. Similarly, those who never acknowledge the efforts of others will seldom find themselves being acknowledged, depriving themselves of chances to experience joy.
平等之后才能默付，否则就是妄传。什么叫妄传？今天你不相信佛菩萨，我跟你讲啊讲啊，讲到最后你还是不相信，我是白传了，这叫妄传。释迦牟尼佛当年所有的弟子，跟随释迦牟尼佛学佛修心，首先是相信佛祖，佛祖才能把法门传给他们。在今天，你们跟随师父学佛，就是因为相信师父，相信师父的法门，相信观世音菩萨，我们之间也是平等的，因为你们有悟性，前世有修，师父才能传授法门给你们，如果你们当中有一个不相信的，那我就是妄传。
Equality should come before silent giving; otherwise, it’s a false transmission. What does “false transmission” mean? If you don’t have faith in the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, no matter how much I share and elucidate, if you remain unconvinced, then my teachings have been in vain; that’s what we call false transmission. Every disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha, who followed him to learn and cultivate their mind, began by placing their faith in the Buddha. It was only after this trust was established that the Buddha could share his teachings with them. Today, you’re learning Buddhism under my guidance because you trust me as your Master and my teachings and have faith in Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Likewise, there is an equality between us, arising from your inherent capacity for enlightenment and your past spiritual endeavours. Because of this, I can share these teachings with you. If even one amongst you lacks this belief, then my efforts would amount to a false transmission.
今天就讲到这里，下次谈平等和妙法。
We’ll conclude our discussion here for today. In our next session, we’ll explore the concepts of equality and the wondrous Dharma.