许多居士在家以灯供佛时

并不知道怎样如理如法地供灯

如供灯前我们应该做哪些准备？

应该选择什么颜色的灯来供佛？

供灯的步骤是什么？

对于在家以灯供养佛菩萨时

遇到的诸多问题

我们为十方善信及在家居士制作了

如何在家以“灯”供佛的视频

△ 点击播放键听法师用英语

为你解说“佛前供灯”

供灯为佛教的常见供养形式之一，灯代表光明和智慧，意即提醒世人要追求智慧，去除愚痴。《佛说施灯功德经》中说：“彼施灯者, 所得福聚无量无边,不可算数，唯有如来乃能了知。”燃灯供佛是佛门中重要的供养，也是修行方式的一种。透过供灯的方式，也点燃我们心中的“自性灯”。

Light offerings are one of the most common forms of offerings in Buddhism. Light represents brightness and wisdom, and reminds us that we should pursue wisdom in order to dispel ignorance. As the Sutra of Meritorious Deeds of Light Offering mentions：”People who make light offerings will accumulate limitless and countless merits, that only Buddhas can comprehend thoroughly.”Light offerings are important in Buddhism and are seen as a form of practice. Our own “light of intrinsic nature” will also be lightened up through making light offerings.

佛家常言

一灯能续千灯明

说起灯，并不完全指电灯，像蜡烛，油灯之类能照暗为明的东西，都属于灯的范畴。佛教传法亦名传灯，如一灯传一灯，灯灯皆明，灯灯无尽，佛家也常说“一灯能续千灯明”。

When we talk about lights, we are not just referring to electric lamps. That also includes forms such as candles, butter/oil lamps and others that can light up, illuminate and dispel darkness. Transmitting dharma in Buddhism is also known as transmission of lamp. Like transmitting from one lamp to another, illuminates as well as lightens up endless lamps. Buddhists often say “one lamp can transmit and light up thousands of lamps”.

佛前供灯的意义

在佛前供灯，以供养诸佛菩萨来培养我们内在的供养心、恭敬心，同时也希望藉由灯的象征意义，来点亮自己的心灯，以激励自己能够精进不懈，时刻提醒自己观照自身，破除内心的黑暗与无明。

Making light offering to the Buddha is used as a way to cultivate the intention of making offering and the inner reverence to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. At the same time the symbolism of light to light up the “lamp of the mind”, is therefore a metaphor meant to inspire oneself to practice vigorously, so that we can observe the inner self at all times, and destroy the darkness and ignorance inside.

在家居士

佛前灯供养常见问题

常见问题一：

问：供灯只能供酥油灯吗？电灯可以吗？

Are light offerings restricted to just the use of butter/oil lamp only? Can we use electric lamp?

答：我们供佛时不仅可以供奉酥油灯、蜡烛、电灯，其他一切光明的东西都可以作为“灯之供养”来供养给佛菩萨。

Offerings like butter/oil lamps, candles, electric lamps and anything that can illuminate, can all be used as light offerings to the Buddha and Bodhisattva.

常见问题二：

问：供佛菩萨的灯，是什么颜色都行吗？

When making light offeringIs, can we use any colour we want?

答：是的，没有颜色区分，都可以。

Yes, you can use any color you want.

常见问题三：

问：居士在家该如何供灯，需要供几盏灯呢？

How many lamps are required for lay Buddhists to make offerings at home?

答：供奉时并没有特定盏数，可根据自己实际情况来决定。

There is no specific number. You can decide according to your actual situation.

常见问题四：

问：供灯在早上好还是晚上好？

Should we make the light offering in the morning or in the evening?

答：早晚都没有关系，供灯时最重要的是心诚。

It is fine to offer either in the morning or evening. What truly matters is a heart with sincerity.

至诚回向

愿以此功德。庄严佛净土。

上报四重恩。下济三途苦。

若有见闻者。悉发菩提心。

尽此一报身。同生极乐国。

翻译 | 觉群志工总队外事组

摄影 | 张磊、熙全