农历五月十三为伽蓝菩萨的圣诞。伽蓝为僧伽蓝摩的简称，指的是僧人所居住的庭院。伽蓝菩萨即指保护伽蓝的诸位护法善神，统称伽蓝圣众菩萨。
The 13th May of Chinese Lunar Calendar is the grand birthday of Sangharama Bodhisattva. Sangharama is a Sanskrit word meaning a temple or monastery where the Sangha dwells. Sangharama Bodhisattva refers to all the virtuous deities guarding the monasteries, who are collectively called the holy multitudes of Sangharama Bodhisattvas.
近世以来，中国佛教寺院的两大护法善神，一为韦驮尊天菩萨，一为伽蓝菩萨。伽蓝菩萨多以关公形象为代表，当源自天台智者大师定中点化之因缘。
In recent times, there have been two great deities guarding the monasteries in China. One is Wei Tuo Bodhisattva, and the other is Sangharama Bodhisattva. Sangharama Bodhisattva is often represented by the image of Guan Yu. This is originated from a story where Guan Yu was enlightened by Venerable Master Zhizhe of the Tiantai Sect during his meditative absorption.
相传隋朝天台宗的创始者智者大师有一次在荆州的玉泉山打坐，突然听见空中传来“还我头来！还我头来！”的惨叫声。原来，三国时期关羽的头被敌人砍了下来，关羽深感愤懑，便到处寻找自己的头。于是，智者大师问关羽：“你曾经过五关斩六将，杀了那么多的人，那么他们的头该由谁来还呢？”
It is said that Venerable Master Zhizhe, founder of the Tiantai Sect in the Sui Dynasty, was once meditating in Yuquan Mountain in Jingzhou. He suddenly heard a voice screaming in pain "Give my head back! Give back my head!" in the air. It was Guan Yu furiously looking for his head that was chopped off by the enemy during the period of the Three Kingdoms. Venerable Master Zhizhe asked Guan Yu: "You once forced five passes, slew six generals and killed many. Who should give their heads back?"
说完后，智者大师给关羽讲了佛法，让他不要痴念于仇恨。听完智者大师的讲述后，关羽心生惭愧，便要皈依在智者大师的门下。关羽三皈五戒后，最终成为了佛门弟子，并甘愿成为佛教的护法，保护佛教在中华大地上的传播。
Having said that, Venerable Master Zhizhe gave a Dharma talk to Guan Yu and told him not to be attached to hatred. Upon hearing the teachings, Guan Yu felt very ashamed and sought to take refuge in the Three Jewels transmitted by Venerable Master Zhizhe. After the ceremony of the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, Guan Yu finally became a Buddhist disciple and vowed to be a guardian of Buddhism, protecting Buddhist propagation across China.
伽蓝菩萨关羽自皈依智者大师誓愿护法以来，常与护法韦驮尊天菩萨相伴， 维护正法久住，伽蓝安宁。同时又警示修道人谨遵佛法，弃恶从善，改过自新。又为真正佛子驱除障碍，助以往生西方。其大慈大悲，恩威并济之功德，堪为世代人民所共仰。
Since Guan Yu, the Sangharama Bodhisattva, took refuge under the mentorship of Venerable Master Zhizhe, he often accompanies Wei Tuo Bodhisattva to ensure the long abiding of the true teaching and peace and quiet of monasteries. In the meantime, Sangharama Bodhisattva alerts Dharma practitioners to respectfully follow the Buddha Dharma, to stay away from evil and cultivate the virtuous, and to turn over a new leaf. The Bodhisattva further helps true disciples of the Buddha remove obstacles and realize rebirth in the Pure Land. The merits of Sangharama Bodhisattva's great compassion and kindness in tandem with sternness have been venerated by people for generations.
翻译：北京龙泉寺翻译中心Translated by: Beijing Longquan Monastery Translation Center
