聖嚴法師《觀音妙智》是一部講述觀音菩薩耳根圓通法門的專門著作，本論文希望結合法師的禪修思想以及相關的論著，以探討法師對「觀音法門」的闡述。一般而言，《楞嚴經》被視為自力的法門，是自我的修行，《法華經．普門品》是講述觀音菩薩對眾生的救度，至誠誦念名號；前者是修持一己的耳根圓通，圓滿智慧，後者是觀音普門示現，救苦救難。而聖嚴法師《觀音妙智》不但詳細說明「耳根圓通」的修行原理與方法，讓我們可以有一個清晰的了解，但更重要的是：聖嚴法師是從觀音菩薩的信仰來提倡這個法門，換言之，念誦觀音菩薩的聖號，相信觀音菩薩的救度，學習觀音菩薩的慈悲與智慧，淨化自我，提昇境界，進而以觀音菩薩為楷模，自利利他，是觀音法門的宗旨，也是聖嚴法師《觀音妙智》措意之所在。

The Wondrous Wisdom of Guan-yin authored by Master Sheng Yen is a special book which he expounds the practice method of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Guan-yin), the Perfect Penetration of the Ear Organ. This essay investigates this Guan-yin practice as elaborated by the Master in this book and his other related writings together with his teaching of Chan practice. In general, the practice stated in the Surangama sutra is regarded as self-reliant that one can practice and benefit on one’s own; whereas, the Universal Gate chapter in the Lotus Sutra talks about the Bodhisattva Guan-yin’s deliverance of sentient beings by reciting his name wholeheartedly. The former is about a practice that one can attain the complete and perfect wisdom by engaging in the practice of Perfect Penetration of the Ear Organ on one’s own; the latter is about Bodhisattva Guanyin’s universal and equal deliverance of all sentient beings regardless of any danger or suffering that sentient beings encounter. In The Wondrous Wisdom of Guan-yin , the Master elaborates the concept, theory and the practice of the Perfect Penetration of the Ear Organ, so we can have a clear understanding of it. Moreover, he advocates this practice from his religious faith on Bodhisattva Guan-yin. In other words, he believes in the deliverance of sentient beings by reciting Guanyin’s name and the purification of one’s self through the learning of Guanyin’s wisdom and compassion. Above all, he believes that one shall not only benefit oneself but also benefit others by emulating Guanyin and practicing his method. And that is exactly the significance of Guanyin’s practice and the well intention of Master of writing this book.