观音被尊崇为大悲菩萨，因此我们说「南无大悲观世音菩萨」。但观音也修出离行，这出离行是基于对人生之苦的深思，为什么我们说人生是苦？

Guan Yin is honored as the bodhisattva of great compassion. Thus we say, “Namo Da Bei Guan Shi Yin Pusa.” But Guan Yin also makes the act of renunciation. The act of renunciation is motivated by reflecting on the sufferings of life. Why do we say that life involves suffering?

这理由是因为生命中的一切都是无常。我们出生，我们成长，享受着我们的生活，因此生命里确实包含着喜乐。但是之后，我们逐渐衰老，承受病痛，最终不免一死。佛教教导出生和死亡不只发生一次，确切地说，我们生、老、死很多次，也就是无数次，这是轮回的意思，也就是生死的轮回。我们无数次的在六道轮回里出生，凡是有我们的出生，终必有我们的消逝，然后我们接续到下一个新的生命。在生死轮回里是不安稳的，即使我们变得富有，权力很大，享有盛名，我们终不免老、病、死。当我们清楚和深刻地领悟到这一点时，我们的心趋向于出离。

The reason is because everything in life is impermanent. We are born, we grow up, and we enjoy our lives; thus life does include happiness. But then we grow old, we fall sick, and we die. Buddhism teaches that birth and death do not occur only once. Rather, we are born, grow old, and die many times—countless times. This is the meaning of samsara, the cycle of birth and death. We are born countless times into the six realms of existence, and wherever we are born, we have to die. Then we pass on to a new existence. There is no safety in samsara. Even if we become rich, powerful, and famous, we cannot avoid old age, sickness, and death. When we understand this clearly and deeply, then our mind inclines to renunciation.

佛陀本人曾是王子，居住在皇宫裹。但他认清老、病、死的真相，因此他放弃了奢华的生活，为他自己和这个世界寻求解脱之道。千百年来，佛弟子效法佛陀的典范，而「走向出家」成为比丘和比丘尼。我们成为比丘和比丘尼，并不是要过安逸的生活，而是为了培养圣道，也就是学习佛法和禅修，以增上我们的出世智慧。藉由出世的智慧，我们可以断除所有的烦恼，从生死里获得解脱。

The Buddha himself had been a prince living in the palace, but he recognized the truth of old age, sickness, and death. Therefore he renounced his life of luxury to seek the path to liberation for himself and for the world. For thousands of years, Buddhist disciples have imitated the Buddha’s example and have “gone forth into homelessness” by becoming monks and nuns. We become monks and nuns, not to live an easy life, but in order to cultivate the path: to study the Dharma and practice meditation to deepen our wisdom. It is through wisdom that we can cut off all defilements and win liberation from birth and death.

观音，一个伟大的菩萨，也遵循佛陀的典范，远离在家的生活，培养圣道。经由观世间的音声，她获得了证悟。在获得了出世智慧后，观音立下大誓愿，要利益世间的众生。这些誓愿，完美地呈现于《法华经‧普门品》。

Guan Yin, a great bodhisattva, also followed the Buddha’s example. She left the home life to cultivate the way. She gained enlightenment by contemplating the sounds of the world. But after gaining wisdom, Guan Yin made great vows to help the world. These vows are beautifully expressed in the Universal Door chapter of the Lotus Sutra.

由于观音的慈悲愿力，虔诚的佛教徒在遭遇困难时，都会称念观音的圣号。当病苦折磨时，在面对危险时，在需要帮助时，我们称念「南无观世音菩萨」。但重要的不仅是称念观音圣号，而是法随法行的遵从观音的实例来修学，也就是经由实践出离与慈悲，来效法观音的典范。

Because of Guan Yin’s compassionate vows, Buddhist devotees call on Guan Yin in times of trouble. When sick, when facing danger, when needing help, we recite “Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa.” But it is important not only to call on Guan Yin, but also to follow the example of Guan Yin. Follow Guan Yin’s example through renunciation and compassion.

即使你不能离家过出家的生活，当你在家时，你应当学习舍离世俗乐， 尽量过简朴的生活，少欲知足。明智的运用你的时间，不再以自我为中心，学习谦虚和乐于助人。尝试投入更多的时间来修行佛法，认清佛法的修证，是唯一永久的离苦之道。

Even if you can’t leave home for the homeless life, you should learn to renounce worldly pleasures while living at home. Try to live a simple life, to be content with little. Use your time wisely. Give up egotism. Be humble and helpful to others. Try to devote more time to Dharma practice. Recognize that Dharma practice is the only way to permanently eliminate suffering.

追随观音的典范，可经由实践各种慈悲的善行。我们与许多遭受贫穷、饥饿、和病苦的人共有这个世间，我们应该尽最大努力去帮助他们远离苦厄。我们也许不能像观音那样实践大悲愿力，但我们可以是小观音，小观音可以从我们的收入里捐款给慈善事业，去与饥饿、贫困、和疾病作战，我们可以伸出援助之手给朋友、亲戚、和邻居。我们可以先发小的慈悲愿，在将来时机成熟时，将转变成大悲愿力，这是最佳礼敬观音的方式。成为一个善良，并且亲切待人，乐于助人，和富有慈悲心的人，这就是我们遵循观音的典范。