慈悲为怀 救苦救难——林则徐的观音信仰

Cherishing Compassion and Mercy,Protecting and Preserving——Lin Zexu's Belief In Guanyin

受父母、恩师、最高统治者以及社会氛围的影响,林则徐虔诚地信仰观音菩萨。出于对观音法门真谛的参悟,慈悲为怀、救苦救难,成了林则徐信仰观音的最力修持。就儒教信仰而言,民为邦本,救难济困是治国平天下的需要,是一种社会使命,一种外在的要求;就观音信仰而言,慈悲为怀,救苦救难是信徒们修行的需要,是一种个人愿职,一种内在的需求;观音信仰与民本主义的内外统一,塑造出了百姓心目中的"林青天"。

Influenced by his parents, his esteemed teacher, the summit ruler as well as the social atmosphere, Lin Zexu held pious belief in Avalokitesvara. Out of the meditated understanding to the true meaning of Guanyin dharmaparaya, cherishing compassion and mercy, protecting and preserving the populace became Lin Zexu＇s vigorous practice in Buddhism. As far as the belief in Confucianism is concerned, regarding people as the foundation of a nation, helping people out of sufferings and relieving the poor are the needs to ensure a good government of the people and security for the people. It is also a social mission, a sort of extemal demand. As far as the belief in Guanyin is concerned, cherishing compassion and mercy, protecting and preserving the populace are the needs for the devotees to practise Buddihism. And it is also a kind of ready duty for individuals, and a kind of internal demand as well. The internal and external integration in the belief in Guanyin and populace-foundationism shaped Lin Zexu a ＂Upright Magistrate Lin＂ in the eyes of the populace.