成佛的大智，度众的大悲

《The Right View》

What is bodhicitta? The so-called bodhicitta is composed of two requisites.

什么是菩提心呢？所谓菩提心，必须具备两个条件：

The first requisite is having the compassion to deliver all sentient beings from the suffering of samsara. Though we may not have the capability now, it can be developed. If we do not practice the Dharma, we will never have the ability. But if we do and are willing to make an effort, even though our capability is still somewhat lacking at the moment, we need not worry too much about it. Shakyamuni Buddha also began his path as an ordinary person and eventually attained enlightenment. He was not born a Buddha. In the biography of Milarepa, one disciple said to Milarepa, "Master, you must be an emanation of Vajrapani or some Buddha.” Milarepa immediately retorted, “I know you want to show your respect to me by saying that. Yet it is a serious defamation to the Dharma because it indicates that you don’t believe that the Dharma can transform an ordinary person into someone like me.” Therefore, the issue is not whether one has the capability but the determination to set about obtaining that capability from now on.

第一、要有决定度化众生的慈悲心。或许现在我们还没有多少能力，但能力是可以培养的。如果不修行，就会永远没有能力。如果肯努力修行，虽然目前能力不足，也无须为此担忧。释迦牟尼佛也是从凡夫开始学道，从而获得成就的，并不是先天的佛。米拉日巴传记里也有记载，他的弟子曾说道：“您肯定是金刚手或某尊佛的化身。”米拉日巴当场就批评道：“你们这样讲，虽然是对我的恭敬，却是对法的极端诽谤。因为你们不相信佛法能将一个普通人，转变成一个象我这样的人。”所以，有没有能力不是问题，关键在于现在去做。

Actually, it might not be that difficult to think occasionally, “I want to deliver sentient beings from the suffering of samsara” This thought may come up when we are not enduring any pain or hardship and our livelihood is not threatened. However, when facing with a life or death situation, say, if we were to choose between our own and other’s death, perhaps we would be too embarrassed to say, “I want that person to die.” But we would certainly say, “I don’t want to die.” This would be an indication of weak bodhicitta.

当然，偶尔生起一个“我要度众生”的念头并不是很难。在没有遭遇任何痛苦折磨、衣食无忧之时，也许会有这种想法。但是，在面临生死存亡之际，譬如要选择自己与他人当中二者必死其一之时，虽然我们羞于情面，不便说“要他死”，但肯定会说“我不要死”，这就是菩提心不够的标志。

The second requisite is having the determination to attain Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings. This is because the attainment of Buddhahood is the ultimate way of freeing all sentient beings from suffering. Though we need various skillful means to achieve this goal, the most needed is not merely to offer others money, good reputation, enviable position or to establish charities to feed or treat the poor. Instead, the most meaningful method is to propagate Buddhadharma from which others may find out for themselves the true nature of life. This is the only way that can really benefit others.

第二、要有为度化众生而发誓成佛的决心。因为只有成佛，才是度化众生最究竟的手段。虽然度化众生需要各种各样的手段，但最迫切的手段，并不是指仅仅给予他人一定的钱财、名誉、地位，如开办慈善机构，让穷人吃饱穿暖、没有病痛等等，而是为人们传法，令其明白道理，这是真实利益众生的唯一方法。