Chinese Buddhist Evening Ceremony Universal Vows 佛教 晚課 拜願 2

Every Bodhisattva resolves to realize the Four Great Universal Vows. These vows are called 'great' because of the wondrous and inconceivable compassion involved in fulfilling them. They are: Sentient beings without number we vow to enlighten; Afflictions without end we vow to eradicate; Dharma teachings without limit we vow to master; The Supreme Buddhahood without bound we vow to achieve. With each bow to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the universal vows are silently affirmed as one aspires to attain the same wisdom and compassion as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. 拜願謂拜佛發願之意。禮拜但拜佛也。拜下未起時，應默禱發願，故曰拜願。 菩薩所發的願，可分為總願與別願。例如〈四弘誓願〉(眾生無邊誓願度，煩惱無盡誓願斷；法門無量誓願學，佛道無上誓願成。)是菩薩們都會發的總願，別願則依個別的願力而不同。透過拜願的方法，我們不只為釋迦牟尼佛的深廣誓願感動，更應升起慈悲心，透過堅定 信願，放下個人私願，提起成就眾生的大願來發願學習佛的慈悲與智慧，與諸佛菩薩同心同願。