智悲双运

Practice of the union of wisdom and compassion

（三）智悲双运的修法

How should one practice wisdom and compassion?

那么，该如何修智悲呢？

Actually, the six paramitas practiced by the bodhisattvas are all within the bounds of wisdom and compassion: generosity, discipline and patience are practices of great compassion; one- pointed concentration and insight are that of wisdom; diligence serves as the auxiliary condition to the practice of wisdom and compassion. It is a simple and direct way to define Buddhism as wisdom and compassion. The broader and more profound connotation of Buddhism is the six paramitas.

其实，菩萨所行持的六波罗蜜多，都没有超出智悲之义：布施、持戒、忍辱是大悲；禅定、智慧是智；精进则是智悲的助缘。以智悲二字来界定佛教的意义，是简捷的说法，其深广的内涵，就是六波罗蜜多。

If the essence of the whole of Buddhism is being condensed into wisdom and compassion, could there be a way to cover all eighty-four thousand teachings in one sitting of meditation? The answer is yes, that is, to practice wisdom and compassion.

既然整个佛法的精华，就在于智悲二字，那么，是否有什么方法可在一座当中将八万四千个法门都涵盖呢？答案是肯定的，方法就是修智与悲。

Some may question the viability of practicing both in one sitting, as great compassion needs to be practiced with thorough and deep contemplation while wisdom to realize emptiness requires no discursive thoughts.

有人会提出疑问：修大悲心需要细密深刻的思维，而证悟空性的智慧又不需要任何杂念，既然如此相互矛盾，又怎能在一座当中同时修呢？

For us beginners, we need to first cultivate bodhicitta and then receive the bodhisattva vows. Once receiving the vows, bodhicitta— the essence of the bodhisattva vows—will be in our mindstream already. On this basis, one can proceed to practice emptiness.

对我们初学者来说，首先要修菩提心、受菩萨戒，一旦受了戒，菩萨戒的戒体──菩提心就已经存在于我们的相续当中，在此基础上，就可以进一步修空性。

While the thought of “wishing all sentient beings liberation from the suffering of samsara” may not be that obvious upon entering the state of emptiness, that is, no apparent compassion at the time, still the bodhisattva vows will accompany us into the state of emptiness because the essence of the bodhisattva vows has been in our minds already. The bodhisattva vows are not matter but a condition of mind. Although there are no distinct thoughts going through mind when entering the state of emptiness, the bodhisattva vows do exist at the time. Hence, not separating one from the other，mind and the bodhisattva vows can simultaneously enter the state of emptiness. At this point, the bodhisattva vows are emptiness and emptiness the bodhisattva vows. The union of wisdom and compassion means thus.

当进入空性的状态时，并没有明显地思维“愿一切众生脱离轮回痛苦”，也可说是没有明显的大悲心，但因为之前受的菩萨戒戒体已存在于心中，故而，当心进入空性境界时，菩萨戒也随之而进入空性之中。我们要知道，菩萨戒并非物质，而是一种心的状态，虽然在进入空性境界时，心里并没有任何明显的念头，但菩萨戒却是存在的，所以，心与菩萨戒不分彼此，同时都可以进入空性的境界。此时菩萨戒即是空性，空性即是菩萨戒，这就是智悲双运。

Here, union means when we immerse in the state of emptiness, mind attains realization of emptiness that is inseparable from the bodhisattva vows. If one can practice this way, one will be able to grasp all the essence of Mahayana Buddhism and not need any other practice.

所谓双运的意思，就是当我们在证悟空性的境界中停下来时，心既是证悟空性的智慧，又与菩萨戒无二无别。如果能这样修，则所有大乘佛法的精华都已包含，再没有什么需要修的法了！