大乘超胜的见解与修行

As a matter of fact, after having aroused bodhicitta, it is acceptable for a bodhisattva to use all available means to benefit sentient beings, except the ones that only bring temporary benefit but leave endless troubles afterward. This is what the Buddha advised, which also points out the difference between the Mahayana and Theravada precepts.

其实，在发菩提心以后，作为大乘菩萨，除了那些眼下虽有利益、却后患不绝的事不能做以外，凡是利益众生的事，无论大小巨细、无论采用何种手段，都是可以接受的。这是佛陀的劝告，也是大乘戒律不同于小乘戒律之处。

In the Theravada precepts, a line is clearly drawn between what one is permitted and forbidden to do, with no exception allowed. But a bodhisattva can do whatever is necessary to benefit sentient beings as long as there is no selfish intent or any ill consequence thereof. It was with exactly this kind of foresight and open- mindedness that the vows of the bodhisattva were laid down.

在小乘戒律里，能做的事与不能作的事划分得十分细微，永无开许之时。但对大乘菩萨而言，只要没有自私心，在能够利益众生，且不会产生不良后果的前提下，就可以毫无顾忌地去做。大乘菩萨戒正是以此深远的眼光、广阔的胸怀来制定的。

However, the bodhisattvas primarily do not use worldly means to save sentient beings, but show them instead how to choose the correct path by way of the Dharma. Man is an intelligent creature. Once they know the most reliable path, they will choose wisely and willingly take the path of enlightenment with enthusiasm. The practice of virtuous actions should never be a passive one. In fact, any good action, if forced, will not be good any more as it comes not from the heart and is done merely as a formality. Therefore, it is extremely important to make everyone understand the essence，the view and the conduct of Mahayana Buddhism.

但是，大乘菩萨主要不是以世俗手段来度化众生，而是通过弘扬佛法，让每个众生明白如何去选择正确的道路。因为人是有智慧的生命，如果他们知道这条路是最安全的，就会做出明智的选择，从而主动欣然地走上菩提大道。所有的行善都不应该是被动的，勉强的行善因为只是行于外表，而不是发自内心，实际上就不是善。所以，让每个人理解大乘佛法的精神、见解与行为至关重要。

As for other beings, we can employ different methods that are suitable for them. For example, when liberating animals, we should recite the Buddha’s names and mantras for these animals. They cannot understand the Dharma teachings, but we believe the recitation of sutras and mantras will sow seeds of liberation in their minds, and that these seeds will soon mature. By then, they will know how to take the path to liberation and will actively seek out its direction as well. This is all we can do for animals. Humans，on the other hand，understand ideas. Teaching them the Dharma then becomes something extremely important.

对于其他众生，则可以采用其他相应的手段。比如：在放生时，就应该为所放生命念诵佛的圣号和咒语。因为，如果为其讲法，它们也无法明白，但我们相信，为其念诵经咒肯定可以在它们的心田里播下解脱的种子，这些种子会很快成熟。到那时，它们便会明白这条路该怎样走，而且会主动地去走。对于动物，我们只能用这种方法。然而，人是有思想的，所以，为人讲法极其重要。