英譯法華經The Lotus of the True Law

---內文引自 H. Kern The Lotus of the True Law 第一校未校,科判完成

【1序分(1 序品)I. INTRODUCTORY】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》《CF-TD》【1 通序】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1-5 信~處成就】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Thus have I heard. Once upon a time the Lordwas staying at Râgagriha, on the Gridhrakûta (1)mountain,

【6 眾成就】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 列眾(缺解2)】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》【1 聲聞眾】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 比丘眾】《什譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 無學眾】《什譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 舉類標數】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

with a numerous assemblage of monks,twelve hundred monks,

【2 明位歎德】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

all of them Arhats, stainless,free from depravity, self-controlled(2), thoroughly eman-cipated in thought and knowledge, of noble breed,(like unto) great elephants, having done their task,done their duty, acquitted their charge, reached thegoal; in whom the ties which bound them to existencewere wholly destroyed, whose minds were thoroughlyemancipated by perfect knowledge, who had reachedthe utmost perfection in subduing all their thoughts;who were possessed of the transcendent faculties(3);eminent disciples,

【3 列名總結】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

such as the venerable âgñâta-Kaundinya, the venerable Asvagit, the venerableVâshpa, the venerable Mahânâman, the venerableBhadrika(1), the venerable Mahâ-Kâsyapa, the venera-ble Kâsyapa of Uruvilvâ, the venerable Kâsyapa ofNadî, the venerable Kâsyapa of Gayâ(2), the venera-ble Sâriputra, the venerable Mahâ-Maudgalyâyana(3),the venerable Mahâ-Kâtyâyana(4), the venerable Ani-ruddha(5), the venerable Revata, the venerable Kap-phina(6), the venerable Gavâmpati, the venerablePilindavatsa, the venerable Vakula, the venerableBhâradvâga(7), the venerable Mahâ-Kaushthila(8), the venerable Nanda (alias Mahânanda), the venerableUpananda(1), the venerable Sundara-Nanda(2), the vene-rable Pûrna Maitrâyanîputra, the venerable Subhûti,the venerable Râhula; with them yet other great disciples, as the venerable Ânanda,

【2 有學眾】《什譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

still under training,and two thousand other monks, some of whom stillunder training, the others masters;

【2 比丘尼】《什譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

with six thousandnuns having at their head Mahâpragâpatî(3), and thenun Yasodharâ, the mother of Râhula, along with hertrain;

【2 菩薩眾】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 舉類標數】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

(further) with eighty thousand Bodhisattvas,

【2 明位歎德】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

all unable to slide back(4), endowed with the spells ofsupreme, perfect enlightenment, firmly standing inwisdom; who moved onward the never deviating(5)wheel of the law; who had propitiated many hun-dred thousands of Buddhas; who under manyhundred thousands of Buddhas had planted the rootsof goodness, had been intimate with many hundredthousands of Buddhas, were in body and mind fullypenetrated with the feeling of charity; able in com-municating the wisdom of the Tathâgatas; verywise, having reached the perfection of wisdom; re-nowned in many hundred thousands of worlds;having saved many hundred thousand myriads(6) ofkotis(7) of beings;

【3 列名總結】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

such as the Bodhisattva Mahâ-sattva(1) Mañgusrî, as prince royal(2); the BodhisattvasMahâsattvas Avalokitesvara, Mahâsthâmaprâpta, Sar-vârthanâman, Nityodyukta, Anikshiptadhura, Ratna-pâni, Bhaishagyarâga, Pradânasûra, Ratnakandra,Ratnaprabha, Pûrnakandra, Mahâvikrâmin, Trailo-kavirâmin, Anantavikrâmin, Mahâpratibhâna, Sata-tasamitâbhiyukta, Dharanîdhara(3), Akshayamati, Pad-masrî, Nakshatrarâga, the Bodhisattva MahâsattvaMaitreya, the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Simha.

With them were also the sixteen virtuous men tobegin with Bhadrapâla, to wit, Bhadrapâla, Ratnâ-kara, Susârthavâha, Naradatta(4), Guhagupta, Varu-nadatta, Indradatta, Uttaramati, Viseshamati, Vardha-mânamati, Amoghadarsin, Susamsthita, Suvikrânta-vikrâmin, Anupamamati, Sûryagarbha, and Dhara-nîdhara; besides eighty thousand Bodhisattvas,among whom the fore-mentioned were the chiefs;

【3 八部眾】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 諸天眾】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

further Sakra, the ruler of the celestials, with twentythousand gods, his followers, such as the godKandra (the Moon), the god Sûrya (the Sun),the god Samantagandha (the Wind), the god Rat-naprabha, the god Avabhâsaprabha, and others;further, the four great rulers of the cardinal pointswith thirty thousand gods in their train, viz. thegreat ruler Virûdhaka, the great ruler Virûpâksha,the great ruler Dhritarâshtra, and the great rulerVaisravana; the god îsvara and the god Mahe-svara(5), each followed by thirty thousand gods; further,Brahma Sahâmpati(1) and his twelve thousand fol-lowers, the Brahmakâyika gods, amongst whomBrahma Sikhin(2) and Brahma Gyotishprabha, with theother twelve thousand Brahmakâyika gods(3);

【2 龍王眾】

togetherwith the eight Nâga kings and many hundred thou-sand myriads of kotis of Nâgas in their train, viz.the Nâga king Nanda, the Nâga king Upananda,Sâgara, Vâsuki, Takshaka, Manasvin, Anavatapta, and Utpalaka;

【3 緊那羅眾】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

further, the four Kinnara kings withmany hundred thousand myriads of kotis of fol-lowers, viz. the Kinnara king Druma, the Kinnaraking Mahâdharma, the Kinnara king Sudharma, andthe Kinnara king Dharmadhara;

【4 乾闥婆眾】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

besides, the fourdivine beings (called) Gandharvakâyikas with manyhundred thousand Gandharvas in their suite, viz. theGandharva Manogña, the Gandharva Manogñasvara,the Gandharva Madhura, and the Gandharva Ma-dhurasvara;

【5 阿修羅眾】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

further, the four chiefs of the demonsfollowed by many hundred thousand myriads of kotis of demons, viz. the chief of the demons Bali,Kharaskandha(1), Vemakitri(2), and Râhu;

【6 迦樓羅眾】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

along withthe four Garuda chiefs followed by many hundred thousand myriads of kotis of Garudas, viz. theGaruda chiefs Mahâtegas, Mahâkâya, Mahâpûrna,and Maharddhiprâpta,

【7 人眾】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

and with Agâtasatru, king ofMagadha, the son of Vaidehî.

【2 別序】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 眾集序】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Now at that time it was that the Lord surrounded,attended, honoured, revered, venerated, worshippedby the four classes of hearers,

【2 現瑞序六】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 說法瑞】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

after expounding the Dharmaparyâya(3) called 'the Great Exposition,' atext of great development, serving to instruct Bodhi-sattvas and proper to all Buddhas,

【2 入定瑞】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

sat cross-leggedon the seat of the law and entered upon the medita-tion termed 'the station of the exposition of Infinity;'his body was motionless and his mind had reachedperfect tranquillity.

【3 雨華瑞】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

And as soon as the Lord hadentered upon his meditation, there fell a great rain of divine flowers, Mandâravas(4 and great Mandâravas, Mañgûshakas and great Mañgûshakas4), covering the Lord and the four classes of hearers,

【4 地動瑞】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

while thewhole Buddha field shook in six ways: it moved,removed, trembled, trembled from one end to theother, tossed, tossed along.

【5 眾喜瑞】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Then did those who were assembled and sittingtogether in that congregation, monks, nuns, male andfemale lay devotees, gods, Nîgas, goblins, Gan-dharvas, demons, Garudas, Kinnaras, great serpents,men, and beings not human, as well as governors ofa region, rulers of armies and rulers of four con-tinents, all of them with their followers, gaze on theLord in astonishment, in amazement, in ecstasy.

【6 放光瑞】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

And at that moment there issued a ray fromwithin the circle of hair between the eyebrows ofthe Lord(1). It extended over eighteen hundredthousand Buddha-fields in the eastern quarter, sothat all those Buddha-fields appeared wholly illu-minated by its radiance, down to the great hellAvîki and up to the limit of existence. And thebeings in any of the six states(2) of existence becamevisible, all without exception. Likewise the LordsBuddhas staying, living, and existing in thoseBuddha-fields became all visible, and the lawpreached by them could be entirely heard by all beings. And the monks, nuns, lay devotees maleand female, Yogins and students of Yoga, thosewho had obtained the fruition (of the Paths of sanc-tification) and those who had not, they, too, becamevisible. And the Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas in thoseBuddha-fields who plied the Bodhisattva-course withability, due to their earnest belief in numerous andvarious lessons and the fundamental ideas, they, too,became all visible. Likewise the Lords Buddhas inthose Buddha-fields who had reached final Nirvânabecame visible, all of them. And the Stûpas madeof jewels and containing the relics of the extinctBuddhas became all visible in those Buddha-fields(1).

【3 疑念序二】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 彌勒疑念】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Then rose in the mind of the Bodhisattva Mahâ-sattva Maitreya this thought: O how great a wonderdoes the Tathâgata display! What may be thecause, what the reason of the Lord producing sogreat a wonder as this? And such astonishing, pro-digious, inconceivable, powerful miracles now appear,although the Lord is absorbed in meditation! Why,let me inquire about this matter; who would be ablehere to explain it to me? He then thought: Hereis Mañgusrî, the prince royal, who has plied hisoffice under former Ginas and planted the roots ofgoodness, while worshipping many Buddhas. ThisMañgusrî, the prince royal, must have witnessedbefore such signs of the former Tathâgatas, thoseArhats, those perfectly enlightened Buddhas; ofyore he must have enjoyed the grand conversationson the law. Therefore will I inquire about thismatter with Mañgusrî, the prince royal.

【2 大眾疑念】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

And the four classes of the audience, monks, nuns,male and female lay devotees, numerous gods, Nâgas,goblins, Gandharvas, demons, Garudas, Kinnaras, great serpents, men, and beings not human, on seeingthe magnificence of this great miracle of the Lord,were struck with astonishment, amazement and curio-sity, and thought: Let us inquire why this magnifi-cent miracle has been produced by the great powerof the Lord.

【4 發問序一】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 長行】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

At the same moment, at that very instant, theBodhisattva Mahâsattva Maitreya knew in his mindthe thoughts arising in the minds of the four classesof hearers and he spoke to Mañgusrî, the princeroyal: What, O Mañgusrî, is the cause, what is thereason of this wonderful, prodigious, miraculousshine having been produced by the Lord? Look, howthese eighteen thousand Buddha-fields appear varie-gated, extremely beautiful, directed by Tathâgatasand superintended by Tathâgatas.

【2 偈頌】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 五十四行上問二】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 四行問此土】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Then it was that Maitreya, the BodhisattvaMahâsattva, addressed Mañgusrî, the prince royal,in the following stanzas:
1. Why, Mañgusrî,does this ray darted by the
guide of men shine forth from between his brows?
this single ray issuing from the circle of hair? and
why this abundant rain of Mandâravas?
2. The gods, overjoyed, let drop Mañgûshakas
and sandal powder, divine, fragrant, and delicious.
3. This earth is, on every side, replete with splen-
dour, and all the four classes of the assembly are
filled with delight, while the whole field shakes in
six different ways, frightfully.

【2 五十行問他土】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 三行問六趣眾生】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
4. And that ray in the eastern quarter illuminates
the whole of eighteen thousand Buddha-fields, simul-
taneously, so that those fields appear as gold-
coloured.
5. (The universe) as far as the (hell) Avîiki (and)
the extreme limit of existence, with all beings
of those fields living in any of the six states of
existence, those who are leaving one state to be
born in another;
6. Their various and different actions in those
states have become visible;whether they are in
a happy, unhappy, low, eminent, or intermediate
position, all that I see from this place.

【2 二行問見諸佛及聞說法】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
7. I see also the Buddhas, those lions of kings,
revealing and showing the essence of the law, com-
forting many kotis of creatures and emitting sweet-
sounding voices.
8. They let go forth, each in his own field, a
deep, sublime, wonderful voice,while proclaiming
the Buddha-laws by means of myriads of kotis of
illustrations and proofs.

【3 三行問他土四眾得道】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
9. And to the ignorant creatures who are op-
pressed with toils and distressed in mind by birth
and old age, they announce the bliss of Rest, saying:
This is the end of trouble, O monks.
10. And to those who are possessed of strength
and vigour and who have acquired merit by virtue
or earnest belief in the Buddhas, they show the
vehicle of the Pratyekabuddhas, by observing this
rule of the law.
11. And the other sons of the Sugata who, striving
after superior knowledge, have constantly accom-
plished their various tasks, them also they admonish
to enlightenment.

【4 一行半結前生後】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
12. From this place, O Mañgughosha, I see
and hear such things and thousands of kotis of other
particulars besides; I will only describe some of
them.

【5 三十一行半廣問他土菩薩種種因緣相貌等】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 一行總問】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
13. 1 see in many fields Bodhisattvas by many
thousands of kotis, like sands of the Ganges, who
are producing enlightenment according to the dif-
ferent degree of their power.

【2 二十五行次第問】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 六行問檀度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
14. There are some who charitably bestow wealth,
gold, silver, gold money, pearls, jewels, conch shells,
stones(1), coral,male and female slaves, horses, and
sheep;
15. As well as litters adorned with jewels. They
are spending gifts with glad hearts, developing them-
selves for superior enlightenment, in the hope of
gaining the vehicle.
16. (Thus they think): 'The best and most ex-
cellent vehicle in the whole of the threefold world
is the Buddha-vehicle magnified by the Sugatas.
May I, forsooth, soon gain it after my spending such
gifts.
17. Some give carriages yoked with four horses
and furnished with benches, flowers, banners, and
flags; others give objects made of precious sub-
stances.
18. Some, again, give their children and wives;
others their own flesh; (or) offer, when bidden,
their hands and feet, striving to gain supreme en-
lightenment.
19. Some give their heads, others their eyes,
others their dear own body, and after cheerfully
bestowing their gifts they aspire to the knowledge
of the Tathâgatas.

【2 二行問戒度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
20. Here and there, O Mañgusrî, I behold beings
who have abandoned their flourishing kingdoms,
harems, and continents, left all their counsellors and
kinsmen,
21. And betaken themselves to the guides of the
world to ask for the most excellent law, for the sake
of bliss; they put on reddish-yellow robes, and shave
hair and beard.

【3 一行問忍度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
22. I see also many Bodhisattvas like monks,
living in the forest, and others inhabiting the empty
wilderness, engaged in reciting and reading.

【4 一行問精進度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
23. And some Bodhisattvas I see, who, full of
wisdom (or constancy), betake themselves to moun-
tain caves, where by cultivating and meditating the
Buddha-knowledge they arrive at its perception.

【5 二行問禪度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
24. Others who have renounced all sensual de-
sires, by purifying their own self, have cleared their
sphere and obtained the five transcendent faculties,
live in the wilderness, as (true) sons of the Sugata.
25. Some are standing firm, the feet put together
and the hands joined in token of respect towards the
leaders, and are praising joyfully the king of the
leading Ginas in thousands of stanzas.

【6 三行問般若度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
26. Some thoughtful, meek, and tranquil, who
have mastered the niceties of the course of duty,
question the highest of men about the law, and
retain in their memory what they have learnt.
27. And I see here and there some sons of the
principal Gina who, after completely developing
their own self, are preaching the law to many kotis
of living beings with many myriads of illustrations
and reasons.
28. Joyfully they proclaim the law, rousing many
Bodhisattvas; after conquering the Evil One with
his hosts and vehicles, they strike the drum of
the law.

【3 十五行半不次第問】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 二行問禪度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
29. 1 see some sons of the Sugata, humble, calm,
and quiet in conduct, living under the command of
the Sugatas, and honoured by men, gods, goblins,
and Titans.
30. Others, again, who have retired to woody
thickets, are saving the creatures in the hells by
emitting radiance from their body, and rouse them
to enlightenment.

【2 二行問精進度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
31. There are some sons of the Gina who dwell
in the forest, abiding in vigour, completely re-
nouncing sloth, and actively engaged in walking; it
is by energy that they are striving for supreme
enlightenment.

【3 一行問戒度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
32. Others complete their course by keeping a
constant purity and an unbroken morality like pre-
cious stones and jewels; by morality do these strive
for supreme enlightenment.

【4 一行半問忍度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
33. Some sons of the Gina, whose strength con-
sists in forbearance, patiently endure abuse, censure,
and threats from proud monks. They try to attain
enlightenment by dint of forbearance.

【5 二行問禪度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
34. Further, I see Bodhisattvas, who have for-
saken all wanton pleasures, shun unwise companions
and delight in having intercourse with genteel men
(âryas);
35. Who, with avoidance of any distraction of
thoughts and with attentive mind, during thousands
of kotis of years have meditated in the caves of the
wilderness; these strive for enlightenment by dint
of meditation.

【6 五行問檀度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
36. Some, again, offer in presence of the Ginas
and the assemblage of disciples gifts (consisting) in
food hard and soft, meat and drink, medicaments
for the sick, in plenty and abundance.
37. Others offer in presence of the Ginas and the
assemblage of disciples hundreds of kotis of clothes,
worth thousands of kotis, and garments of priceless
value.
38. They bestow in presence of the Sugatas hun-
dreds of kotis of monasteries which they have caused
to be built of precious substances and sandal-wood,
and which are furnished with numerous lodgings
(or couches).
39. Some present the leaders of men and their
disciples with neat and lovely gardens abounding
with fruits and beautiful flowers, to serve as places
of daily recreation.
40. When they have, with joyful feelings, made
such various and splendid donations, they rouse
their energy in order to obtain enlightenment; these
are those who try to reach supreme enlightenment
by means of charitableness.

【7 三行問般若度】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
41. Others set forth the law of quietness, by many
myriads of illustrations and proofs; they preach it
to thousands of kotis of living beings; these are
tending to supreme enlightenment by science.
42. (There are) sons of the Sugata who try to
reach enlightenment by wisdom; they understand
the law of indifference and avoid acting at the
antinomy (of things), unattached like birds in the
sky.

【8 七行問供舍利起塔】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
43. Further, I see, O , Mañgughosha, many Bodhi-
sattvas who have displayed steadiness under the
rule of the departed Sugatas, and now are wor-
shipping the relics of the Ginas.
44. I see thousands of kotis of Stûpas, numerous
as the sand of the Ganges, which have been raised
by these sons of the Gina and now adorn kotis of
grounds.
45. Those magnificent Stûpas, made of seven
precious substances, with their thousands of kotis of
umbrellas and banners, measure in height no less
than 5000 yoganas and 2000 in circumference(1).
46. They are always decorated with flags; a mul-
titude of bells is constantly heard sounding; men,
gods, goblins, and Titans pay their worship with
flowers, perfumes, and music.
47. Such honour do the sons of the Sugata render
to the relics of the Ginas, so that all directions of
space are brightened as by the celestial coral trees
in full blossom.

【2 八行請答】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
48. From this spot I behold all this; those nu-
merous kotis of creatures; both this world and
heaven covered with flowers, owing to the single
ray shot forth by the Gina.
49. O how powerful is the Leader of men! how
extensive and bright is his knowledge! that a single
beam darted by him over the world renders visible
so many thousands of fields!
50. We are astonished at seeing this sign and
this wonder, so great, so incomprehensible. Ex-
plain me the matter, O Mañgusvara! the sons of
Buddha are anxious to know it.
51. The four classes of the congregation in joyful
expectation gaze on thee, O hero, and on me;
gladden (their hearts); remove their doubts; grant
a revelation, O son of Sugata!
52. Why is it that the Sugata has now emitted
such a light? O how great is the power of the
Leader of men! O how extensive and holy is his
knowledge!
53. That one ray extending from him all over
the world makes visible many thousands of fields.
It must be for some purpose that this great ray has
been emitted.
54. Is the Lord of men to show the primordial
laws which he, the Highest of men, discovered on the
terrace of enlightenment? Or is he to prophesy
the Bodhisattvas their future destiny?
55 There must be a weighty reason why so
many thousands of fields have been rendered visible,
variegated, splendid, and shining with gems, while
Buddhas of infinite sight are appearing.
56. Maitreya asks the son of Gina; men, gods,
goblins, and Titans, the four classes of the congrega-
tion, are eagerly awaiting what answer Mañgusvara
shall give in explanation.

【5 發問序二】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 長行四】【1 惟忖答】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Whereupon Mañgusrî, the prince royal, addressedMaitreya, the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva, and the wholeassembly of Bodhisattvas (in these words): It is theintention of the Tathâgata, young men of goodfamily, to begin a grand discourse for the teachingof the law, to pour the great rain of the law, to make resound the great drum of the law, to raise the greatbanner of the law, to kindle the great torch of the law,to blow the great conch trumpet of the law, and tostrike the great tymbal of the law.

【2 略曾見答】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Again, it is theintention of the Tathâgata, young men of good family,to make a grand exposition of the law this very day.Thus it appears to me, young men of good family,as I have witnessed a similar sign of the formerTathâgatas(1), the Arhats, the perfectly enlightened.Those former Tathâgatas, &c., they, too, emitted alustrous ray, and I am convinced that the Tathâgatais about to deliver a grand discourse for the teachingof the law and make his grand speech on the laweverywhere heard, he having shown such a fore-token. And because the Tathâgata, &c., wishesthat this Dharmaparyâya meeting opposition in allthe world(2) be heard everywhere, therefore does hedisplay so great a miracle and this fore-token con-sisting in the lustre occasioned by the emission ofa ray.

【3 廣曾見答】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 引一佛同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

I remember, young men of good family, that inthe days of yore, many immeasurable, inconceivable,immense, infinite, countless Æons, more than count-less Æons ago, nay, long and very long before,there was born a Tathâgata called Kandrasûrya-pradîpa(1), an Arhat, &c., endowed with science and conduct(2), a Sugata, knower of the world, an incom-parable tamer of men, a teacher (and ruler) of godsand men, a Buddha and Lord. He showed the law;he revealed the duteous course which is holy at its commencement, holy in its middle, holy at the end,good in substance and form, complete and perfect,correct and pure. That is to say, to the discipleshe preached the law containing the four NobleTruths, and starting from the chain of causes and effects, tending to overcome birth, decrepitude, sick-ness, death, sorrow, lamentation, woe, grief, despond-ency, and finally leading to Nirvâna; and to the Bodhisattvas he preached the law connected withthe six Perfections(3), and terminating in the know-ledge of the Omniscient, after the attainment ofsupreme, perfect enlightenment.

【2 引二萬佛同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

[Now, young men of good family, long beforethe time of that Tathâgata Kandrasûryapradîpa, theArhat, &c., there had appeared a Tathâgata, &c.,likewise called Kandrasûryapradîpa, after whom,O Agita(4), there were twenty thousand Tathâgatas,&c., all of them bearing the name of Kandrasûrya-pradipa, of the same lineage and family name, towit, of Bharadvâga(1). All those twenty thousand Tathâgatas, O Agita, from the first to the last,showed the law, revealed the course which is holyat its commencement, holy in its middle, holy at theend, &c. &c.(2)]

【3 引最後佛同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 曾見事與今已同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

The aforesaid Lord Kandrasûryapradîpa, theTathâgata, &c., when a young prince and not yethaving left home (to embrace the ascetic life), hadeight sons, viz. the young princes Sumati, Ananta-mati, Ratnamati, Viseshamati, Vimatisamudghâtin,Ghoshamati, and Dharmamati. These eight youngprinces, Agita, sons to the Lord KandrasÛryapradîpa,the Tathâgata, had an immense fortune(3). Each ofthem was in possession of four great continents,where they exercised the kingly sway. When theysaw that the Lord had left his home to become anascetic, and heard that he had attained supreme,perfect enlightenment, they forsook all of them thepleasures of royalty and followed the example of theLord by resigning the world; all of them strove toreach superior enlightenment and became preachersof the law. While constantly leading a holy life,those young princes planted roots of goodness undermany thousands of Buddhas.

【2 曾見事與今今同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 現相同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

It was at that time, Agita, that the Lord Kandra-sûryapradîpa, the Tathâgata, &c., after expoundingthe Dharmaparyâya called 'the Great Exposition,'a text of great extension, serving to instruct Bodhi-sattvas and proper to all Buddhas, at the samemoment and instant, at the same gathering of the classes of hearers, sat cross-legged on the same seatof the law, and entered upon the meditation termed'the Station of the exposition of Infinity;' his bodywas motionless, and his mind had reached perfecttranquillity. And as soon as the Lord had enteredupon meditation, there fell a great rain of divineflowers, Mandâravas and great Mandâravas, Mañ-gûshakas and great Mañgûshakas, covering the Lordand the four classes of hearers, while the wholeBuddha-field shook in six ways; it moved, removed,trembled, trembled from one end to the other, tossed,tossed along.

Then did those who were assembled and sittingtogether at that congregation, monks, nuns, maleand female lay devotees, gods, Nâgas, goblins,Gandharvas, demons, Garudas, Kinnaras, greatserpents, men and beings not human, as well as governors of a region, rulers of armies and rulersof four continents, all of them with their followersgaze on the Lord in astonishment, in amazement, inecstasy.

And at that moment there issued a ray fromwithin the circle of hair between the eyebrows ofthe Lord. It extended over eighteen hundredthousand Buddha-fields in the eastern quarter, sothat all those Buddha-fields appeared wholly illu-minated by its radiance, just like the Buddha-fieldsdo now, O Agita.

【2 疑念同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

[At that juncture, Agita, there were twenty kotisof Bodhisattvas following the Lord. All hearersof the law in that assembly, on seeing how theworld was illuminated by the lustre of that ray,felt astonishment, amazement, ecstasy, and curio-sity(1).]

【3 曾見事與今當同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 因人同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Now it happened, Agita, that under the rule ofthe aforesaid Lord there was a Bodhisattva calledVaraprabha, who had eight hundred pupils.

【2 說法同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

It was tothis Bodhisattva Varaprabha that the Lord, on risingfrom his meditation, revealed the Dharmaparyâyacalled 'the Lotus of the True Law.'

【3 時節同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

He spoke duringfully sixty intermediate kalpas, always sitting on thesame seat, with immovable body and tranquil mind.And the whole assembly continued sitting on thesame seats, listening to the preaching of the Lordfor sixty intermediate kalpas, there being not asingle creature in that assembly who felt fatigueof body or mind.

【4 唱滅同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

As the Lord Kandrasûryapradîpa, the Tathâgata, &c., during sixty intermediate kalpas had been ex-pounding the Dharmaparyâya called 'the Lotus ofthe True Law,' a text of great development, servingto instruct Bodhisattvas and proper to all Buddhas,he instantly announced his complete Nirvâna to theworld, including the gods, Mâras and Brahmas, to allcreatures, including ascetics, Brahmans, gods, menand demons, saying: To-day, O monks, this verynight, in the middle watch, will the Tathâgata, byentering the element of absolute Nirvâna, become whollyextinct.

【5 授記同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Thereupon, Agita, the Lord Kandrasûryapradîpa,the Tathigata, &c., predestinated the Bodhisattvacalled Srîgarbha to supreme, perfect enlightenment,and then spoke thus to the whole assembly:O monks, this Bodhisattva Srîgarbha here shallimmediately after me attain supreme, perfect en-lightenment, and become Vimalanetra, the Tathâ-gata, &c.

【6 通經同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 滅後通經】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Thereafter, Agita, that verynight, at that verywatch, the Lord Kandrasûryapradîpa, the Tathalgata,&c., became extinct by entering the element of abso-lute Nirvâna. And the aforementioned Dharmapar-yâya, termed 'the Lotus of the True Law,' was keptin memory by the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Vara-prabha; during eighty intermediate kalpas did theBodhisattva Varaprabha keep and reveal the com-mandment of the Lord who had entered Nirvâna.

【2 教化弟子】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Now it so happened, Agita, that the eight sons ofthe Lord Kandrasûryapradipa, Mati and the rest, were pupils to that very Bodhisattva Varaprabha.They were by him made ripe for supreme, perfectenlightenment, and in after times they saw and wor-shipped many hundred thousand myriads of kotis of Buddhas, all ofwhom had attained supreme, perfectenlightenment, the last of them being DÎpankara,the Tathagata, &c.

Amongst those eight pupils there was one Bodhi-sattva who attached an extreme value to gain,honour and praise, and was fond of glory, but allthe words and letters one taught him faded (fromhis memory), did not stick. So he got the appella-tion of Yasaskâma(1). He had propitiated manyhundred thousand myriads of kotis of Buddhas bythat root of goodness, and afterwards esteemed,honoured, respected, revered, venerated, worshippedthem.

【3 結會古今】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Perhaps, Agita, thou feelest some doubt,perplexity or misgiving that in those days, at thattime, there was another Bodhisvattva MahâsattvaVaraprabha, preacher of the law. But do not thinkso. Why? because it is myself who in those days,at that time, was the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Vara-prabha, preacher of the law; and that Bodhisattvanamed Yasaskâma, the lazy one, it is thyself, Agita,who in those days, at that time, wert the Bodhisattvanamed Yasaskâma, the lazy one.

【4 分門判答】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

And so, Agita, having once seen a similar fore-token of the Lord, I infer from a similar ray beingemitted just now, that the Lord is about to expoundthe Dharmaparyâya called 'the Lotus of the TrueLaw.'

【2 偈頌】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 四十三行頌上長行】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 四十一行頌廣曾見答】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 二行頌引一佛同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

And on that occasion, in order to treat the subjectmore copiously, Mañgusrî, the prince royal, utteredthe following stanzas:
57. I remember a past period, inconceivable,
illimited kalpas ago, when the highest of beings,
the Gina of the name of Kandrasûryapradîpa, was
in existence.
58. He preached the true law, he, the leader of
creatures; he educated an infinite number of kotis
of beings, and roused inconceivably many Bodhi-
sattvas to acquiring supreme Buddha-knowledge.

【2 三十九行頌最後一佛同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 一行頌曾見已同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
59. And the eight sons born to him, the leader,
when he was prince royal, no sooner saw that the
great sage had embraced ascetic life, than they
resigned worldly pleasures and became monks.

【2 十五行半頌曾見今同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 四行頌此土瑞相】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
60. And the Lord of the world proclaimed the law,
and revealed to thousands of kotis of living beings
the Sûtra, the development, which by name is called
'the excellent Exposition of Infinity.'
61. Immediately after delivering his speech, the
leader crossed his legs and entered upon the medi-
tation of 'the excellent Exposition of the Infinite.'
There on his seat of the law the eminent seer
continued absorbed in meditation.
62. And there fell a celestial rain of Mandâravas,
while the drums (of heaven) resounded without
being struck; the gods and elves in the sky paid
honour to the highest of men.
63. And simultaneously all the fields (of Buddha)
began trembling. A wonder it was, a great prodigy.
Then the chief emitted from between his brows one
extremely beautiful ray,

【2 十行頌光照他土同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
64. Which moving to the eastern quarter glittered,
illuminating the world all over the extent of eighteen
thousand fields. It manifested the vanishing and
appearing of beings.
65. Some of the fields then seemed jewelled,
others showed the hue of lapis lazuli, all splendid,
extremely beautiful, owing to the radiance of the
ray from the leader.
66. Gods and men, as well as Nâgas, goblins,
Gandharvas, nymphs, Kinnaras, and those occupied
with serving the Sugata became visible in the
spheres and paid their devotion.
67. The Buddhas also, those self-born beings,
appeared of their own accord, resembling golden
columns; like unto a golden disk (within lapis
lazuli), they revealed the law in the midst of the
assembly.
68. The disciples, indeed, are not to be counted:
the disciples of Sugata are numberless. Yet the
lustre of the ray renders them all visible in every
field.
69. Energetic, without breach or flaw in their
course, similar to gems and jewels, the sons of the
leaders of men are visible in the mountain caves
where they are dwelling.
70. Numerous Bodhisattvas, like the sand of the
Ganges, who are spending all their wealth in giving
alms, who have the strength of patience, are
devoted to contemplation and wise, become all of
them visible by that ray.
71. Immovable, unshaken, firm in patience, de-
voted to contemplation, and absorbed in meditation
are seen the true sons of the Sugatas while they
are striving for supreme enlightenment by dint of
meditation.
72. They preach the law in many spheres, and
point to the true, quiet, spotless state they know.
Such is the effect produced by the power of the
Sugata.

【3 一行半疑念同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
73. And all the four classes of hearers on
seeing the power of the mighty(1) Kandrârka-
dîipa(1) were filled with joy and asked one another:
How is this?

【3 二十二行半頌曾見當同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 二行半頌因人同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
74. And soon afterwards, as the Leader of the
world, worshipped by men, gods, and goblins, rose
from his meditation, he addressed his son Vara-
prabha, the wise Bodhisattva and preacher of the
law:
75. 'Thou art wise, the eye and refuge of the
world; thou art the trustworthy keeper of my law,
and canst bear witness as to the treasure of laws
which I am to lay bare to the weal of living beings.'
76. Then, after rousing and stimulating, praising
and lauding many Bodhisattvas,

【2 一句頌說經同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
did the Gina pro-
claim the supreme laws

【3 一行一句頌說時節同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
during fully sixty inter-
mediate kalpas.
77. And whatever excellent supreme law was
proclaimed by the Lord of the world while conti-
nuing sitting on the very same seat, was kept in
memory by Varaprabha, the son of Gina, the preacher
of the law.

【4 五行頌唱滅同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
78. And after the Gina and Leader had mani-
fested the supreme law and stimulated the numerous
crowd, he spoke, that day, towards the world includ-
ing the gods (as follows):
79. 'I have manifested the rule of the law; I
have shown the nature of the law; now, O monks,
it is the time of my Nirvâna; this very night, in the
middle watch.
80. 'Be zealous and strong in persuasion; apply
yourselves to my lessons; (for) the Ginas, the great
seers, are but rarely met with in the lapse of myriads
of kotis of Æons.'
81. The many sons of Buddha were struck with
grief and filled with extreme sorrow when they
heard the voice of the highest of men announcing
that his Nirvâna was near at hand.
82. To comfort so inconceivably many kotis of
living beings the king of kings said: 'Be not
afraid, O monks; after my Nirvâna there shall be
another Buddha.

【5 一行半頌授記同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
83. 'The wise Bodhisattva Srîgarbha, after finish-
ing his course in faultless knowledge, shall reach
highest, supreme enlightenment, and become a Gina
under the name of Vimalâgranetra.'

【6 十二行頌滅後通經同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 三行頌滅後通經同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
84. That very night, in the middle watch, he met
complete extinction, like a lamp when the cause
(of its burning) is exhausted. His relics were
distributed, and of his Stûpas there was an infinite
number of myriads of kotis.
85. The monks and nuns at the time being, who
strove after supreme, highest enlightenment, nume-
rous as sand of the Ganges, applied themselves to
the commandment of the Sugata.
86. And the monk who then was the preacher of
the law and the keeper of the law, Varaprabha,
expounded for fully eighty intermediate kalpas the
highest laws according to the commandment (of the
Sugata).

【2 八行頌教化弟子同】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
87. He had eight hundred pupils, who all of them
were by him brought to full development. They
saw many kotis of Buddhas, great sages, whom they
worshipped.
88. By following the regular course they became
Buddhas in several spheres, and as they followed
one another in immediate succession they suc-
cessively foretold each other's future destiny to
Buddhaship.
89. The last of these Buddhas following one
another was Dîpankara. He, the supreme god of
gods, honoured by crowds of sages, educated thou-
sands of kotis of living beings.
90. Among the pupils of Varaprabha, the son of
Gina, at the time of his teaching the law, was one
slothful, covetous, greedy of gain and cleverness.
91. He was also excessively desirous of glory,
but very fickle, so that the lessons dictated to him
and his own reading faded from his memory as soon
as learnt.
92. His name was Yasaskâma, by which he was
known everywhere. By the accumulated merit(1) of
that good action, spotted as it was,
93. He propitiated thousands of kotis of Buddhas,
whom he rendered ample honour. He went through
the regular course of duties and saw the present
Buddha Sâkyasimha.
94. He shall be the last to reach superior en-
lightenment and become a Lord known by the family
name of Maitreya, who shall educate thousands of
kotis of creatures.

【3 一行頌結會古今】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
95. He who then, under the rule of the extinct
Sugata, was so slothful, was thyself, and it was I
who then was the preacher of the law.

【2 二行頌分明判答】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
96. As on seeing a foretoken of this kind I re-
cognise a sign such as I have seen manifested of
yore, therefore and on that account I know,
97. That decidedly the chief of Ginas, the su-
preme king of the Sâkyas, the All-seeing, who
knows the highest truth, is about to pronounce the
excellent Sûtra which I have heard before.
98. That very sign displayed at present is a proof
of the skilfulness of the leaders; the Lion of the
Sâkyas is to make an exhortation, to declare the
fixed nature of the law.

【2 二行結勸待聞】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
99. Be well prepared and well minded; join your
hands: he who is affectionate and merciful to the
world is going to speak, is going to pour the endless
rain of the law and refresh those that are waiting for
enlightenment.
100. And if some should feel doubt, uncertainty,
or misgiving in any respect, then the Wise One
shall remove it for his children, the Bodhisattvas
here striving after enlightenment.

【2 正宗分（2-20品）】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》《FB-TD》《CF-TD》《LM-JZ》《LM-JZ》《LM-JZ》《LM-JZ》【1 開佛知見（2-10品）】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》《CF-TD》《LM-JZ》《LM-JZ》《LM-JZ》【1 三周法授三根記(2 方便品)II. SKILFULNESS】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》《CF-TD》《LM-JZ》《LM-JZ》【1 略開三顯一動執生疑】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》《CF-TD》【1 略開三顯一】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 長行】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 寄言歎二智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 明諸佛權實】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 經家提起】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

The Lord then rose with recollection and con-sciousness from his meditation, and forthwithaddressed the venerable Sâriputra:

【2 正歎權實】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 雙歎二智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

The Buddhaknowledge, Sâriputra, is profound, difficult to under-stand, difficult to comprehend. It is difficult for alldisciples and Pratyekabuddhas to fathom the know-ledge arrived at by the Tathâgatas, &c.,

【2 雙釋二智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

and that,Sâriputra, because the Tathâgatas have worshipped many hundred thousand myriads of kotis of Buddhas;because they have fulfilled their course for supreme,complete enlightenment, during many hundred thou-sand myriads of kotis of Æons; because they havewandered far, displaying energy and possessed ofwonderful and marvellous properties;

【3 雙結二智】《什譯》《闍笈譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

possessed ofproperties difficult to understand; because they havefound out things difficult to understand.

【2 釋迦權實】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 歎權釋權】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 歎權智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

The mystery(2) of the Tathâgatas, &c., is difficultto understand, Sâriputra, because when they explainthe laws (or phenomena, things) that have theircauses in themselves they do so by means of skilful-ness, by the display of knowledge, by arguments,reasons, fundamental ideas, interpretations, and sug-gestions. By a variety of skilfulness they are ableto release creatures that are attached to one pointor another.

【2 釋權智】《什譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

The Tathâgatas, &c., Sâriputra, haveacquired the highest perfection in skilfulness andthe display of knowledge;

【2 歎實釋權】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 歎實智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》

they are endowed with wonderful properties, such as the display of freeand unchecked knowledge;

【2 釋實智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

the powers(1); the ab-sence of hesitation; the independent conditions(2);the strength of the organs; the constituents ofBodhi(3); the contemplations; emancipations(4); medi-tations; the degrees of concentration of mind.

【3 歎權結實】《什譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 結權智】《什譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

TheTathâgatas, &c., Sâriputra, are able to expoundvarious things

【2 結實智】《什譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

and have something wonderful andmarvellous.

【2 絕言歎二智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 正絕言歎】《什譯》《闍笈譯》

Enough, Sâriputra, let it suffice to say,

【2 徵釋絕言】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

that the Tathâgatas, &c., have something extremelywonderful, Sâriputra. None but a Tathâgata, Sâri-putra, can impart to a Tathâgata those laws whichthe Tathâgata knows.

【3 釋權實相】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

And all laws, Sâriputra, aretaught by the Tathâgata, and by him alone; no onebut he knows all laws, what they are, how they are,like what they are, of what characteristics and ofwhat nature they are.

【2 偈頌】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 十七行半頌上長行】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 四行頌寄言歎二智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 二行合頌二佛二智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

And on that occasion, to set forth the same sub-ject more copiously, the Lord uttered the followingstanzas:
1. Innumerable are the great heroes in the world
that embraces gods and men; the totality of crea-
tures is unable to completely know the leaders.
2. None can know their powers and states of
emancipation, their absence of hesitation and Buddha
properties, such as they are.

【2 二行合頌二佛釋歎結歎】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
3. Of yore have I followed in presence of kotis of
Buddhas the good course which is profound, subtle,
difficult to understand, and most difficult to find.
4. After pursuing that career during an incon-
ceivable number of kotis of Æons, I have on
the terrace of enlightenment discovered the fruit
thereof.

【2 十三行半頌絕言歎二智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 半行頌徵釋絕言】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
5. And therefore I recognise, like the other chiefs
of the world,

【2 半行頌釋權實相】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
how it is, like what it is, and what are
its characteristics.

【3 半行頌正絕言歎】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
6. It is impossible to explain it; it is unutterable;
nor is there such a being in the world.

【4 十行半頌不知之人】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 一行許信力能解】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
7. To whom this law could be explained or who
would be able to understand it when explained, with
the exception of the Bodhisattvas, those who are firm
in resolve.

【2 一行半揀二乘不知】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
8. As to the disciples of the Knower of the world,
those who have done their duty and received praise
from the Sugatas, who are freed from faults and
have arrived at the last stage of bodily existence,
the Gina-knowledge lies beyond their sphere.

【3 一行揀身子不知】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
9. If this whole sphere were full of beings like
Sârisuta, and if they were to investigate with com-
bined efforts, they would be unable to comprehend
the knowledge of the Sugata.

【4 一行半揀大弟子不知】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
10. Even if the ten points of space were full of
sages like thee, ay, if they were full of such as the
rest of my disciples,
11. And if those beings combined were to in-
vestigate the knowledge of the Sugata, they would,
all together, not be able to comprehend the Buddha-
knowledge in its whole immensity.

【5 二行半揀辟支佛不知】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
12. If the ten points of space were filled with
Pratyekabuddhas, free from faults, gifted with acute
faculties, and standing in the last stage of their
existence, as numerous as reeds and bamboos in
the woods;
13. And if combined for an endless number of
myriads of kotis of Æons, they were to investigate
a part only of my superior laws, they would never
find out its real meaning.

【6 二行半揀菩薩不知】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
14. If the ten points of space were full of Bodhi-
sattvas who, after having don their duty under
many kotis of Buddhas, investigated all things and
preached many sermons, after entering a new
vehicle(1);
15. If the whole world were full of them, as of
dense reeds and bamboos, without any interstices,
and if all combined were to investigate the law which
the Sugata has realised;
16. If they were going on investigating for many
kotis of Æons, as incalculable as the sand of the
Ganges, with undivided attention and subtle wit,
even then that (knowledge) would be beyond their
ken.

【7 一行揀菩薩不知】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
17. If such Bodhisattvas as are unable to fall
back, numerous as the sand of the Ganges, were
to investigate it with undivided attention, it would
prove to lie beyond their ken.

【5 行半頌第希有唯佛能知】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
18. Profound are the laws of the Buddhas, and
subtle; all inscrutable and faultless. I myself know
them as well as the Ginas do in the ten directions
of the world.

【2 三行半略開三顯】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 一行半明諸佛顯實】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
19. Thou, Sâriputra, be full of trust in what the
Sugata declares. The Gina speaks no falsehood,
the great Seer who has so long preached the highest
truth.

【2 二行明釋迦開】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
20. I address all disciples here, those who have
set out to reach the enlightenment of Pratyeka-
buddhas, those who are roused to activity at my
Nirvâna(1), and those who have been released from
the series of evils.
21. It is by my superior skilfulness that I explain
the law at great length to the world at large. I
deliver whosoever are attached to one point or
another, and show the three vehicles(2).

【2 騰疑致請】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 經家敘疑】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

The eminent disciples in the assembly headed by âgñâta-Kaundinya, the twelve hundred Arhats fault-less and self-controlled, the other monks, nuns, maleand femal lay devotees using the vehicle of disciples,and those who had entered the vehicle of Pratyeka-buddhas, all of them made this reflection: Whatmay be the cause, what the reason of the Lord soextremely extolling the skilfulness of the Tathâ-gatas? of his extolling it by saying, 'Profound isthe law by me discovered;' of his extolling it bysaying, 'It is difficult for all disciples and Pratyeka-buddhas to understand it.' But as yet the Lord hasdeclared no more than one kind of emancipation,and therefore we also should acquire the Buddha-laws on reaching Nirvâna. We do not catch themeaning of this utterance of the Lord.

【2 當機正請】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 請為自他求決】【1 長行】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 陳疑】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

And the venerable Sâriputra, who apprehendedthe doubt and uncertainty of the four classes of theaudience and guessed their thoughts from what waspassing in his own mind, himself being in doubt aboutthe law, then said to the Lord: What, O Lord, isthe cause, what the reason of the Lord so repeatedlyand extremely extolling the skilfulness, knowledge,and preaching of the Tathâgata? Why does herepeatedly extol it by saying, 'Profound is the lawby me discovered; it is difficult to understand themystery of the Tathâgatas.'

【2 陳請】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

Never before have I heard from the Lord such a discourse on the law.Those four classes of the audience, O Lord, areovercome with doubt and perplexity. Thereforemay the Lord be pleased to explain what the Tathâ-gata is alluding to, when repeatedly extolling the profound law of the Tathâgatas.

【2 偈頌】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》【1 三行半頌疑二智】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

On that occasion the venerable Sâriputra utteredthe following stanzas:
22. Now first does the Sun of men utter such a
speech: 'I have acquired the powers, emancipations,
and numberless meditations.'
23. And thou mentionest the terrace of enlighten-
ment without any one asking thee: thou mentionest
the mystery, although no one asks thee.
24. Thou speakest unasked and laudest thine own
course; thou mentionest thy having obtained know-
ledge and pronouncest profound words.

【2 三行總頌三乘四眾疑】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
25. To-day a question rises in my mind and of
these self-controlled, faultless beings striving after
Nirvâna: Why does the Gina speak in this manner?
26. Those who aspire to the enlightenment of
Pratyekabuddhas, the nuns and monks, gods, Nâgas,
goblins, Gandharvas, and great serpents, are talking
together, while looking up to the highest of men,
27. And ponder in perplexity. Give an elucida-
tion, great Sage, to all the disciples of Sugata here
assembled.

【3 一行半別頌自己疑】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
28. Myself have reached the perfection (of virtue),
have been taught by the supreme Sage; still, O
highest of men! even in my position I feel some
doubt whether the course (of duty) shown to me
shall receive its final sanction by Nirvâna.

【4 一行別頌三乘疑】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
29. Let thy voice be heard, O thou whose voice
resounds like an egregious kettle-drum! proclaim thy
law such as it is. The legitimate sons of Gina here
standing and gazing at the Gina, with joined hands;

【5 二行總明同疑致請】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》
30. As well as the gods, Nâgas, goblins, Titans,
numbering thousands of kotis, like sand of the
Ganges; and those that aspire to superior en-
lightenment, here standing, fully eighty thousand
in number;
31. Further, the kings, rulers of provinces and
paramount monarchs, who have flocked thither from
thousands of kotis of countries, are now standing
with joined hands, and respectful, thinking: How
are we to fulfil the course of duty?

【2 止為驚疑不信】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

The venerable Sâriputra having spoken, the Lordsaid to him: Enough, Sâriputra; it is of no useexplaining this matter. Why? Because, Sâriputra,the world, including the gods, would be frightened ifthis matter were expounded.

【3 請久植必解】《什譯》《護譯》《闍笈譯》《Sd-Kn》《C3-TD》《C4-TD》《KG-TD》《PE-TD》《KA-TD》

But the venerable Sâriputra entreated the Lorda second time, saying: Let the Lord expound, letthe Sugata expound this matter, for in this assembly,O Lord, there are many hundreds, many thousands,many hundred thousands, many hundred thousandmyriads of kotis of living beings who have seenformer Buddhas, who are intelligent, and will believe,value, and accept the words of the Lord.The venerable Sâriputra addressed the Lord withthis stanza:
32. Speak clearly, O most eminent of Ginas! in
this assembly there are thousands of living beings
trustful, affectionate, and respectful towards the
Sugata; they will understand the law by there ex-
pounded.