---
title: "湛然圓澄禪師語錄 · 天宮寺放生會序"
description: "湛然圆澄禅师语录由明代禅宗高僧湛然圆澄所述，其门人明凡记录，丁元公与祁骏佳编撰。该书成书于明末佛教复兴时期，收录圆澄禅师的开示、法语、公案及书信，集中体现其禅学思想与修行指导，倡导直指人心、见性成佛的曹洞宗风。作为明代禅宗重要文献，该语录不仅传承了临济与曹洞宗的精髓，对后世禅修者具有深远影响，是研究明清佛教禅宗思想与实践的重要典籍。"
url: "https://rushiwowen.co/en/r/cmcxr5xst00lni904jz0qyjzz"
---

### 天宮寺放生會序

> Preface to the Release of Life Ceremony at Tian Gong Temple

夫生生為不生。勿謂不生為不生須知生是不生之生不生乃是生之不生。達此者。可以語無生之道也流水長者。深知及此。所以見十千游魚。水涸命盡。為誦金光明經。諸魚是夜盡脫魚報。生帝天。靈山會上皆授佛記。故余謂欲度生者。必先自得無生。然後利生接物。無不如願。若流水長者。可為放生之良範也吳中天宮寺禪者身住應門。不為常習所障。志結二十餘輩。聚放生會。繼長者風。請余決疑。故以生不生之意語之。令彼先於自度。然後度生。此萬古不易之規也。譬夫救溺者先自備船筏。及竿索之類。然後自他可以並濟。若不知方便。自無所仗。赤身入水。自他俱溺。此必然之勢也。子當以是語告諸同會。須知自己生死為重。若能自出生死。不憂眾生不能度也。至囑。

> Life that is lived for the sake of being born is not true life. Do not think that "non-birth" simply means not being born. You must understand that birth arises from that which is unborn, and that the unborn is the very source of birth itself. Only one who comprehends this can understand the way of the Unborn. The Elder Flowing Water deeply understood this truth. When he saw ten thousand fish struggling as the water dried up and their lives were ending, he recited the Golden Light Sutra for them. That very night, all those fish escaped their fish-karma and were reborn among the gods. Later, at the assembly on Vulture Peak, they all received the Buddha's prophecy of enlightenment. Therefore, I say: those who wish to liberate others must first attain liberation themselves. Only then can they benefit beings and fulfill their wishes without obstacle. The Elder Flowing Water is an excellent model for the practice of releasing life. Chan Master Body-in-the-Door of Sky-River Temple in Wu, not hindered by worldly conventions, has gathered twenty or more practitioners for a life-releasing group, continuing the elder's tradition. He asked me to resolve their doubts, so I speak to them of the meaning of "birth and non-birth." I urge them first to liberate themselves, then to liberate others. This is the immutable principle throughout the ages. Just as someone rescuing a drowning person must first prepare a boat, ropes, and poles, so that both rescuer and rescued can cross together. If they do not prepare with wisdom and possess no means, plunging into the water with bare hands will drown both themselves and others. This is inevitable. You should share these words with all those in your group. Know that your own liberation from birth and death is of primary importance. If you can truly escape the cycle of birth and death, you need not worry that you cannot save sentient beings. This is my earnest advice.