佛法以「慈悲」為宗本，大乘佛教強調「利他」的菩薩行，所以「利他慈善」的濟世實踐法門，理應是佛教修行中很重要的一部分。「三階教」沿襲佛教慈悲精神，在中國佛教的土壤中孕育成熟，承續大乘佛法而開展出實踐的佛教，集結為宗派的力量廣泛深入民間，影響社會善良風氣，上接佛陀本懷。 當今證嚴法師所所辦的慈濟志業，猶似歷史上的三階教，然兩者皆不僅是一般的慈善團體，而是由悲心入門，以出世心行入世事，強調「解行並重」的人間修行，成為佛教慈善實踐宗派的範式。 本文即以三階教為借鏡，尤以慈濟功德會作對比，省思當今佛教的慈善實踐，認為大乘佛教「慈善法門」的修行，不應被貶抑為只是修福，亦不能只是菁英知識份子的教理鑽研，而應是「悲智雙運」，以實際行動影響社會、解除世間苦難。本文藉由三階教興衰，考察慈善為主的修學法門，憶昔撫今，期能提供「人間佛教」慈善宗派發展之可能參考。 Buddhism is founded on the principle of compassion, and Mahayana Buddhism places significant emphasis on the Bodhisattva path of "benefiting others". Consequently, the act of "benefiting others through charity" is considered a crucial component of Buddhist practice. The "Sanjiejiao", or The Three Stage Sect, inherited the compassionate spirit of Buddhism and matured within the context of Chinese Buddhism. It followed the Mahayana Buddhism and evolved into a practical Buddhism that gathered power from the sect. It deeply and widely influenced the atmosphere of society to be virtuous, connecting to the original intention of the Buddha. Today's Tzu Chi Foundation, founded by Master Cheng Yen, bears a striking resemblance to the historical Sanjiejiao. Both are not merely ordinary charity organizations; rather, they are founded on a compassionate heart and engage in worldly affairs with a transcendent mind. They emphasize "putting theory into practice" for human cultivation, that has become a model for Buddhist charitable practice sects. This article draws on the Sanjiejiao as a reference, particularly in comparison to Tzu Chi Foundation, to reflect on the charitable practice of today’s Buddhism. It believes that the charitable practice of Mahayana Buddhism should neither be degraded as merely a method of accumulating blessings, nor be confined to the realm of elite intellectual study. Instead, it should be viewed as "the combination of compassion and wisdom" to influence society through actual action and alleviate worldly suffering. This article examines the spiritual practice on the principle of charity, based on learning the rise and fall of the Sanjiejiao. With that, the writer hopes to provide a reference for the development of today's "humanistic Buddhism".
