Cultivation Cannot Be Without A Good Spiritual Teacher 修行离不开善知识
Many people think that spiritual practice is simply, “the master shows you the door, but cultivation depends on the individual.” On the surface, this does not sound wrong.
很多人都以为修行是“师父领进门，修行靠个人”。听上去好像也没错。
Even Venerable Ānanda once asked the Buddha: “Is a good spiritual teacher (kalyāṇa-mitra, 善知识) half of the cause for attaining enlightenment?”
即使阿难尊者也曾问佛：善知识是不是一个人得道的半因缘？
But the Buddha quickly corrected him, saying: No! A good spiritual teacher is not half the condition — a good spiritual teacher is the entire cause and condition for enlightenment!
佛陀很快否定了他的想法，说：错！善知识不是半因缘，而是成道的全因缘！
Liberation from birth and death and the attainment of Buddhahood is by no means easy. Even in worldly studies we need a teacher — to learn calligraphy or any art requires guidance. How much more so with the profound Dharma?
学佛要了脱生死成佛可不是那么简单。世间的学问都需要老师教，写毛笔字也得找老师学，更何况是高深的佛法？
To think one can achieve realization without a good teacher, closing the door and practicing blindly, is nothing but deluded effort. Without the guidance of a true teacher, one does not even know where the entrance is; when one strays, one will not even realize it.
若想不依善知识就有成就，自己闭门造车，那就是盲修瞎练。没有善知识的引导，连门在哪里都不知道；走错路了也不自知。
In Dharma study and cultivation, relying upon a good spiritual teacher— one with right knowledge and right view — is of utmost importance. It can truly be said to be the most, most, most important factor.
在佛法修学中，依止正知正见的善知识极其重要，可以说是最最最重要的！
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Avataṃsaka Sūtra, “Entering the Dharma Realm”
《华严经·入法界品》
A good spiritual teacher is the Thus-Come One; a good spiritual teacher is the cloud of all Dharma; a good spiritual teacher is the treasury of all virtues.
善知识者，则是如来；善知识者，一切法云；善知识者，诸功德藏；
A good spiritual teacher is rare and hard to encounter; a good spiritual teacher is the inexhaustible lamp of wisdom; a good spiritual teacher is the gateway to all wisdom.
善知识者，难可值遇；善知识者，无尽智炬；善知识者，一切智门。
Because of a good spiritual teacher, I am able to see the Buddhas; because of a good spiritual teacher, I am able to hear the Dharma.
因善知识，令我见佛；因善知识，令我闻法。
A good spiritual teacher is my teacher, guiding me in all the Buddhas’ teachings. A good spiritual teacher is my eyes, enabling me to see the Buddha as vast as space.
善知识者是我师父，示导诸佛法故；善知识者是我眼目，令我见佛如虚空故。
A good spiritual teacher is the path to all wisdom, enabling me to enter the city of Nirvāṇa.
善知识者，则是趣向一切智道，令我得入涅槃城故。
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Therefore, in cultivation one cannot be without a good spiritual teacher Without one, one may not know what true practice is, and may even fall into the three evil paths, losing the chance to be liberated from birth and death in this very life.
所以修行不能没有善知识。没有善知识，就不知“修”到哪里去，很可能堕入三恶道，失去一生了脱生死的机会。
Namo Amitābha Buddha
南无阿弥陀佛
