如何圆满禅定与智慧

V. The Perfection of Contemplation

五、禅定

How can we practice contemplation when liberating living beings? Usually one equates that practice with meditation in a lotus position. As we certainly won’t be sitting down to liberate any being，can we do this practice? Yes，we can，according to the scriptures. In fact，one can always practice contemplation whenever propagating the Dharma or engaging in any other virtuous activity. Contemplation, in the context of teaching the Dharma, means to conduct the teaching assiduously and without distraction. That in the context of liberating living beings means to recite the sutras or mantras with total concentration and release the beings with great care. If the mind wanders while doing the recitation, it is no longer practicing contemplation. Contemplation denotes a still mind. To offer dedicated prayers to the Buddha or steadfastly generate true compassion toward the beings when liberating them signifies the perfection of contemplation.

禅定如何具备呢？有人认为，禅定就是打坐，我们也没有打坐，这不可能具备吧？实际上，这也可以具备。经书上有记载，讲经说法或做其他善事，都可以具备禅定。譬如说法的时候，如果能认认真真讲，不胡思乱想，这就是禅定；放生的时候，念经的时候，如果能一心一意去想，认认真真去放，这就是禅定。如果在念经的时候，口中虽然在念，心里却想着另外的事情，这就是散乱，就不具备禅定。禅定是心平静下来的一种状态。放生的时候，一心祈祷佛陀或对这些生命发慈悲心，这就是禅定。

VI. The Perfection of Wisdom

六、智慧

How can we be endowed with wisdom when liberating living beings? Being mindful that it is a practice of Mahayana, that it can sow the virtuous seeds for the liberators and benefit the liberated, and that the recitations of sutras, mantras and the Buddha’s names are complete, all exemplify the meaning of having wisdom. The more profound understanding of that is to know the liberator, the liberated and the act of liberation are all illusory phenomena, devoid of self nature. If one were to gain thorough knowledge of such view and subsequently attain realization thereof, it would naturally signify attaining the state of supreme wisdom. But absent this view, wisdom can still be had in the manner otherwise described above.

如何具备智慧呢？放生的时候，知道这样做是大乘佛法，这样做有善根，这样做可以使很多众生都得到利益等等，而且要为这些众生念诵经文、佛号、咒语，这就具备了智慧。如果再完善一点，在放生的时候，要观三轮体空，要知道自己、被放的生命、放生的活动这三个都是如幻如梦的。如果有这样的见解和证悟，那自然是智慧。如果没有这样的见解，则刚刚所讲的那些，也属于智慧。

To be able to liberate living beings as demonstrated here would have captured the essence of the six paramitas. If in addition the three supreme methods - pure motivation, practice with a mind free of clinging and dedication of merit - can be incorporated alongside, liberating living beings will truly be an act of supreme virtue.

这样放生，就具备了六度。如果能以加行发心、正行无缘、回向菩提的三殊胜摄持，放生就是非常殊胜的善行。