初探印光法師的觀音信仰 — 兼述李止淨〈觀世音菩薩本跡感應頌〉=An Initial Study of Dharma-Master Yin-guang's Avalokitesvara Faith — With a Discussion on Lee Zhi-jing's Odes to Avalokitesvara’s Manifested Responses to Appeals
This paper is a study of Dharma-master Yin-guang’s Avalokitesvara faith. Yin-guang resided in Pu-to Mountain for many years. He also revised The Annals of Pu-to Mountain and asked Lee Zhi-jing to compile Odes to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara’s Manifested Responses to Appeals. There are many references to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in collected works of Master Yin-guang, but these are rarely touched on by scholars who study the master’s philosophy and status. This is the reason for writing this paper. The paper is only an initial investigation, leaving out other aspects of the master’s thoughts which require more detailed treatment. Lee Zhi-jing compiled Odes at Master Yin-quang’s request, so it was meant as an aid to the propagation of the master’s Avalokitesvara faith. The contents of the master’s faith are treated in five parts: the enlarged scope of Avalokitesvara’s compassionate saving of sufferers, the Pu-to Avalokitesvara as a merger of the Lotus School’s Avalokitesvara and the Pure-land School’s Avalokitesvara, emphasis on both name-reciting and moral discipline, clear explanation of the principles of Avalokitesvara’s responses to appeals, and the relationship between the Avalokitesvara faith and women. This explanation is followed by a discussion on the occasion for Lee Zhi-jing’s compilation of Odes and the general form and the characteristics of the work. Finally, of Master Yin-guang’s Avalokitesvara faith, two special points are mentioned: First, if a person seeks Avalokitesvara’s responses to his appeals, he must really put the religion into practice, that is, he must deeply believe in karmic retribution, correct his evil action and turn toward the good, and learn the kindness and compassion of a bodhisattva. Second, a person who constantly recites Avalokitesvara’s name can not only be relieved of danger and calamity in the present lifetime and obtain blessings and wisdom, he can also be led into rebirth in the Western Paradise, forever free from the suffering of samsara.
