農曆五月十三為伽藍菩薩的聖誕。伽藍為僧伽藍摩的簡稱,指的是僧人所居住的庭院。伽藍菩薩即指保護伽藍的諸位護法善神,統稱伽藍聖眾菩薩。
The 13th May of Chinese Lunar Calendar is the grand birthday of Sangharama Bodhisattva. Sangharama is a Sanskrit word meaning a temple or monastery where the Sangha dwells. Sangharama Bodhisattva refers to all the virtuous deities guarding the monasteries, who are collectively called the holy multitudes of Sangharama Bodhisattvas.
近世以來,中國佛教寺院的兩大護法,一為韋馱尊天菩薩,一為伽藍菩薩。伽藍菩薩多以關公形象為代表,當源自天台智者大師定中點化之因緣。
In recent times, there have been two great guarding the monasteries in China. One is Wei Tuo Bodhisattva, and the other is Sangharama Bodhisattva. Sangharama Bodhisattva is often represented by the image of Guan Yu. This is originated from a story where Guan Yu was enlightened by Venerable Master Zhizhe of the Tiantai Sect during his meditative absorption.
相傳隋朝天台宗的創始者智者大師在荊州玉泉山入定,感得關羽神靈前來,願為大師建寺。寺院建成後,關羽從智者大師聽聞佛法,發願受三皈五戒。因其威神而為後人尊奉為伽藍護法。
It is said that Grand Master Zhizhe, founder of Tiantai School in the Sui dynasty, once entered a meditative state in Yuquan Mountain in Jingzhou. Hearing this, the spirit of Guan Yu came and aspired to build a monastery for him. After the monastery was completed, Guan Yu followed Grand Master Zhizhe to study the Dharma and vowed to take refuge in the Three Jewels and to receive the five precepts. Because of his awe-inspiring power, he has been venerated and worshipped as Sangharama Guardian by future generations.
伽藍菩薩關羽在道場中常與護法韋馱尊天菩薩相伴, 維護正法久住,伽藍安寧。同時又警示修道人,謹遵佛法,棄惡從善,改過自新。其大慈大悲,恩威並濟之功德,堪為世代人民所共仰。
Guan Yu, also Sangharama Guardian Bodhisattva, is usually seen accompany Skanda Bodhisattva to uphold the True Dharma for its sustainability and to ensure the peace of the monasteries. Meanwhile, he reminds the practitioners of complying with the Dharma, of abandoning the unwholesome deeds and following the wholesome deeds, and of turning over a new leaf. His great loving kindness and compassion, as well as his virtue of tempering justice with mercy are venerated from generation to generation.
翻譯:北京龍泉寺翻譯中心
Translated by: Beijing Longquan Monastery Translation Center