四谛--修行常识

What is the difference between the Four Noble Truths and the Two Truths (relative and absolute truth)? The Two Truths delineate the doctrinal view on phenomena whereas the Four Noble Truths，though also contain some elements of that view, focus mainly on the practicable ways to attain liberation. Therefore, both are very important Buddhist doctrines that can lend certain help to one’s practice if understood well. Of course, one may choose to learn only the theories necessary for undertaking specific practice rather than the more extensive knowledge of various Buddhist doctrines such as the Two Truths or the Four Noble Truths. But chances are one may be prone to mistakes more easily this way except for those with the sharpest faculties.

四谛与二谛（世俗谛及胜义谛）有什么不同呢？二谛是见解的对境，四谛虽然也有见解对境的成分，但主要是以修持方法为重点，始终围绕着如何修持才能获得解脱的主题而宣讲的。所以二谛与四谛在佛教中都是非常重要的常识，如果能够了解，就会对自己的修行有一定的帮助。当然，如果不广学二谛或四谛等佛教的太多理论，而只是在学到适当的理论后便专修也可以，但除了一些极利根的人以外，就很容易出差错。

For example, if one has only limited knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, e.g., the rarity and preciousness of human birth or the suffering nature of samsara, doubts about the viability of gaining liberation through Dharma practice, the methods to be used for attaining enlightenment, or the soundness of the practice being undertaken, to name a few，may arise during the course of one’s practice. Lacking the wisdom gained from an orderly training in the Dharma and from contemplation, one is incapable of solving these issues alone and thereby easily confused, which ultimately may turn into a kind of hindrance to one’s practice. Whereas gaining the requisite wisdom can be both helpful and encouraging. As practitioners of the Dharma, we should at the least have an adequate understanding of the key doctrines. Such knowledge is more than just needed for a true practitioner; it is indispensable.

譬如，如果只知道人身难得、轮回痛苦的道理，往往在修行的过程中就会产生一些疑问：我修这些到底能不能得解脱？如何得解脱？修的是不是正法？这些疑问一旦出来，由于没有闻思的智慧，自己就无法解决并由此产生困扰，从而成为修行的违缘。但是，智慧却可以帮助和鼓励我们，所以，作为修行人，还是应该有一些应有的知识，这些知识对于实修的人来说也不但是需要，而且是不可或缺的常识。