「止、觀」，為佛教最原始和基礎的修法，也是中國天台宗最富盛名的核心教學。止和觀，既有各自的作用和果效；行者又要配合修習，方可成道。本文除檢視漢譯佛典和中國學僧對「止觀」一詞的釋述外，並以智顗（538-597）名篇《小止觀》為對象，探討其所述止、觀的內容、意義及相互關係，藉此指出在中國佛教傳統，雖一向倡導止、觀並行，其實兩者作用不一、重點各異，期望能對止、觀二法門有更多角度的了解。

“Cessation and contemplation”(zhiguan) are the primitive and elementary practices of Buddhism and also the best-known core teachings of the Chinese Tiantai School. “Cessation and contemplation” have their own functions and effectiveness. Buddhists should cultivate both practices so as to become enlightened. This paper is not only investigating the meanings of “cessation and contemplation” in Chinese Buddhist translations and the commentaries by Chinese monks, but also study Zhiyi (538-597)’s interpretation in his famous work Small Cessation and Contemplation (Xiaozhiguan). Although in general Chinese Buddhists advocate the practice of both cessation and contemplation at the same time, their meanings, focuses and functions are different. This paper aims at providing more understanding of “cessation and contemplation” from a different angle.