後世禪宗以「明心見性」為其宗派之宗旨，強調在悟道過程中必須「自悟」，但禪宗作為一個教法宗派，仍有代代師徒相傳亦需藉由師長之教導進而開悟本心、悟解自性，此師長教導在開悟的過程與教法傳承均是不可缺少。因此形成禪宗教法內一方面強調自性只能自悟，另一方面又須宣揚師長等善知識在開悟過程中的重要性，以維持宗派的傳承，而要在這兩方面要取得融通，就與善知識在開悟過程的各階段中所扮演的角色息息相關。因此，本文以敦煌本《壇經》為主要文本，探討在《壇經》中所提及之善知識在開悟過程之角色與作用。

The methodology of The Zen is to have people uncover enlightenment by themselves. Though the great awakening can be realized only by oneself, the guidance from a good friend or teacher （Kalyānamitra,善知識） who leads one to the Buddhist way is equally important. This study discusses the categories of good friends/teachers in Platform Sutra of Dunhuang Manuscripts, as well as the roles they play in one's great awakening process. This study also takes Huineng's uncover enlightenment journey as example to feature the relationship between a good friend/teacher and people in their great awakening process.