The Bodhi Mind
菩提心論曰：「此菩提心，能包藏一切菩薩功德法故。若修證出現，則為一切導師。若歸本，則是密嚴國土。不起於座，能成一切佛事。」
「菩提」意譯為覺、智、知、道。菩提心能含藏一切菩薩功德法，如果修行未契入佛性，焉有功德產生？修行以信為根本，信為道源功德母，以信為菩提自性，如果修持至菩提心現前時，則會有無量無邊的智慧產生，可以作為一切眾生的福田。
有菩提心可以出生一切功德法，引導一切眾生脫離苦海，作為一切人天之導師。故云：若修證出現，則為一切導師。若歸本，則密嚴國土，不起於座，能成一切佛事。
此點含有極深之意義，在修法時，或普渡眾生時、或供養諸佛時、或證入本尊淨土，而施不可思議事時，是否曾有離此座？並未離座，一直都在原來座位上修法，而內心所證得之密嚴國土，比外在風景美緻宜人，這是唯有本人知曉，他人無法體受。
而此密嚴世界，乃吾人身、口、意三密所成，也是由於本人依法而修，所產生的覺受。由此引喻為：若歸本則是密嚴國土，不起於座，能成一切佛事。然此並非究竟之義，仍隔一層皮。行者須守護菩提心不退，精進修持不懈。
與眾共勉
資料來源：心靈甘露(四)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。
The Bodhi Mind
The Treatise on the Bodhi Mind states, “Such a Bodhi mind can contain all the meritorious dharmas of Bodhisattvas. It can be the mentor of all when it manifests from cultivation or confirmation. When it returns to the root, it will be in the secret and strict realm. One will accomplish all the Buddhist undertakings with it without leaving the seat”
“Bodhi” can be translated as awareness, wisdom, knowing, or principles. The Bodhi mind can contain all the merits of Bodhisattvas, but how can the merits come into being if one’s cultivation does not match the Buddha nature? Cultivation should be based on faith, which is the origin of principles and merits and is regarded as the Bodhi nature. When one keeps cultivating until the Bodhi mind manifests, there will be boundless wisdom arising that may be the field of blessing for all sentient beings.
The Bodhi mind can give rise to all meritorious dharmas that may lead all sentient beings to get out of the sea of bitterness and serve as the mentor of all humans and heavenly beings. Therefore, the Treatise on the Bodhi Mind says, “It can be the mentor of all when it manifests from cultivation or confirmation. When it returns to the root, it will be in the secret and strict realm. One will accomplish all the Buddhist undertakings with it without leaving the seat.”
This carries a very deep meaning. Have we ever left the seat when we are cultivating the Dharma, transforming living beings, making offerings to Buddhas, or doing the incredible things in the pure realm of the self? If we haven’t but remained in the seat cultivating, then the secret and strict realm we have confirmed within our mind will be more beautiful and pleasant than the exterior scenery. Only those who have done so know this and others won’t.
Such a secret and strict realm is made up of our body, speech, and intention and is cultivated according to the principles. From here a metaphor is made: “When it returns to the root, it will be in the secret and strict realm. One will accomplish all the Buddhist undertakings with it without leaving the seat.” But this is not an utmost meaning and there is something lying between. A practitioner has to secure the Bodhi mind without regression and vigorously cultivates.
Let’s encourage each other with this.
Source: Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. IV), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong. Translated by Huei Ping Chang.