阿惟越致遮經持信品第二
於是，世尊說此偈已，賢者阿難前問佛言：「唯然，大聖！文殊師利今問如來不退轉輪乎？」
"Thereupon, after the World-Honored One had spoken these verses, the Venerable Ānanda came forward and asked the Buddha, “Indeed, Great Holy One! Is Mañjuśrī now asking the Tathāgata about the Irreversible Wheel?'
告曰：「如是。乃當講說不退轉輪耶。」
He replied, “So it is. And now the Irreversible Wheel shall be explained.”
佛言：「阿難！諸佛世尊因不退轉為應說法。」
The Buddha said, “Ānanda! All Buddhas and World-Honored Ones teach the Dharma because of non-retrogression (avaivartika).”
阿難又問：「最勝何緣轉持篤信至於緣覺？如來惟顯菩薩法乎？」
Ānanda further asked, “Why does the Most Excellent One turn from maintaining sincere faith to the pratyekabuddha path? Does the Tathāgata only reveal the Bodhisattva Dharma?'
答曰：「如此。阿難當知，惟暢菩薩經典為上。所以者何？吾身故興五濁世，用懈廢者志懷羸劣。諸佛當以善權方便、隨時之宜講說經道，少有志樂微妙之訓，多慕卑劣。是以如來善權方便而為現法，開演大乘乃應本要；是以觀心順所發意而救度之。志若得入調柔安隱，無所造立苦樂得除。誘無從生，不起不滅，無為之安，漸向大慧一切之智。」於是世尊默而不語也。
He replied, “Like this. Ānanda, you should know that only the exposition of the Bodhisattva scriptures is supreme. Why is this? I have appeared in a world of the five turbidities, where those who are lazy and abandoned have weak and inferior resolve. All Buddhas should use skillful means according to what is appropriate for the time when teaching the path of the sutras. Few have the aspiration to delight in subtle and wondrous instructions; many long for the inferior. Therefore, the Tathāgata uses skillful means to manifest the Dharma, expounding the Great Vehicle to accord with the fundamental essentials; thus observing minds and following their intentions to rescue and liberate them. If their aspirations can enter into gentleness and tranquility, without establishing anything, suffering and pleasure are eliminated. There is no inducement arising from anywhere, no arising or ceasing, the peace of the unconditioned, gradually moving toward great wisdom and omniscience.” At this, the World-Honored One became silent and did not speak.
爾時，阿難問文殊師利：「如來何故默而不言？」
At that time, Ānanda asked Mañjuśrī, “Why does the Tathāgata remain silent and not speak?'"
答曰：「俗人少有信此法說。此諸羅漢無數百千心中愕然不解：『如來何故說此殊異經教？吾今目覩此四輩人心鬲狐疑，曷因如來演處，持信至于奉法緣覺有礙欲令進達此？』無數億諸天龍神咸共猶豫：『何因如來顯敘菩薩，道迹、往來、不還、無著緣覺之道？』無量菩薩億百千姟，不了世尊以菩薩道歎詠執信至于奉法四果緣覺。一切江河、川流、泉源窒不通行，飛鳥在空不能進退，日月不前翳無光耀黯黮晝昏。所以者何？此法微妙難解如此，是故如來默然不言。」
He replied, “Few worldly people have faith in this teaching of the Dharma. These numerous hundreds of thousands of Arhats are bewildered in their hearts and do not understand [thinking]: ‘Why does the Tathāgata teach this extraordinary sutra? Now I see these four assemblies with hearts full of doubt and suspicion. Why does the Tathāgata expound on maintaining faith up to the pratyekabuddha path, with obstacles wanting them to progress and reach this?" Countless billions of devas, nāgas, and spirits all hesitate together [thinking]: ‘Why does the Tathāgata prominently describe bodhisattvas, the path of stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, arhatship, and the pratyekabuddha path?" Immeasurable bodhisattvas, billions and hundreds of thousands of koṭis, do not understand why the World-Honored One, through the Bodhisattva path, praises and extols maintaining faith up to upholding the Dharma, the four fruits, and the pratyekabuddha path. All rivers, streams, and springs are blocked and do not flow; birds flying in the sky cannot move forward or backward; the sun and moon do not advance, obscured without radiance, dim and dark even during daytime. Why is this so? This Dharma is subtle and difficult to understand like this, therefore the Tathāgata remains silent and does not speak.'
彼時十萬蓮華繞佛室者，一切同聲咸共勸助：「唯然，世尊！講不退輪清淨方等經典之要，吾等常從九十二億百千姟佛聞此經慧，於斯佛土弘修是法。」
At that time, the hundred thousand lotus flowers surrounding the Buddha's chamber, all with one voice, encouraged together, “Indeed, World-Honored One! Please teach the essential pure and universal sutra of the Irreversible Wheel. We have constantly heard this wisdom of the sutra from ninety-two billion hundred thousand koṭis of Buddhas, and in this Buddha land we extensively cultivate this Dharma.”
時舍利弗復前求哀：「惟願大聖演不退輪。吾今後夜與文殊師利俱遊，等至十方無數佛土，聞諸佛世尊說是妙法。」
Then Śāriputra again came forward to entreat, “I only wish the Great Holy One would expound the Irreversible Wheel. I, in the latter part of the night, traveled together with Mañjuśrī, equally reaching the countless Buddha lands in the ten directions, hearing all the Buddhas and World-Honored Ones teach this wondrous Dharma.'
於時虛空中八十五億百千姟天自歸請求：「欲令如來說不退輪，吾等此土從九十二億百千姟佛諮受此法。」
At that time, eighty-five billion hundred thousand koṭis of devas in the sky took refuge and requested, “We wish the Tathāgata to teach the Irreversible Wheel. We in this land have received this Dharma from ninety-two billion hundred thousand koṭis of Buddhas."
賢者阿難復白佛言：「惟願加哀說不退輪。何因世尊諮嗟篤信奉法之義至于緣覺？此四輩人靜然無聲，欲聽世尊分別說之。今無央數百千之眾閉結不解何故？世尊光顯菩薩持信奉法至於緣覺，當決大疑。惟願如來興隆大哀，蠲除所滯，普共證明信此聖道。」
The Venerable Ānanda again said to the Buddha, “I only wish you would extend compassion and teach the Irreversible Wheel. Why does the World-Honored One consult and praise the meaning of sincere faith and upholding Dharma up to the path of solitary awakening? These four assemblies are silent without sound, wishing to hear the World-Honored One distinguish and explain it. Now countless hundreds of thousands in the assembly are closed off and do not understand why. The World-Honored One illuminates and reveals the bodhisattvas' maintaining faith and upholding the Dharma up to the Pratyekabuddha path—please resolve this great doubt. I only wish the Tathāgata would increase great compassion, remove what is stagnant, and universally bear witness to and have faith in this holy path.'
佛告阿難：「如是，如來、至真、等正覺不釋明證而說經道。」
The Buddha said to Ānanda, 'So it is. The Tathāgata, the Truly and Perfectly Enlightened One, does not teach the path of the sutras without clear testimony.'
阿難白佛：「何謂明證？」
Ānanda said to the Buddha, 'What is meant by clear testimony?'
眾祐答曰：「明證經籍及諸聽者然後說法。如來法力最明等覺，因其明證而為分別。阿難諦聽，善思念之。今為汝了如來所因，光美菩薩持信奉法至于緣覺。」於是阿難與諸大眾受教而聽。
The Benefactor of Many replied, “Clear testimony refers to the scriptures and all listeners, and only then teaching the Dharma. The Tathāgata's Dharma power is the clearest perfect enlightenment, and because of this clear testimony he makes distinctions. Ānanda, listen carefully and think about it well. Now I will explain to you the reason why the Tathāgata glorifies bodhisattvas' maintaining faith and upholding the Dharma up to the pratyekabuddha path.' Then Ānanda and the great assembly received the teaching and listened."
佛言：「阿難！何因如來讚揚菩薩篤持信乎？於是菩薩開化無量不可計人，使立篤信得覩諸佛。
The Buddha said, "Ānanda! Why does the Tathāgata praise bodhisattvas who firmly maintain faith? It is because bodhisattvas transform countless immeasurable people, establishing them in sincere faith so they may see all Buddhas.
「已見大聖，不著佛身、色痛痒思想生死識，亦無所慕，五陰如空，是謂菩薩執持篤信。
"Having seen the Great Sage, they do not attach to the Buddha's physical form, nor to form, sensation, perception, conditioning, or consciousness, and they have no longings. They understand the five aggregates as empty—this is called a bodhisattva's firm maintenance of sincere faith.
「又，阿難！菩薩信諸法空、如來所說，等無有異。
"Furthermore, Ānanda! Bodhisattvas have faith that all dharmas are empty, as taught by the Tathāgata, equal without differences.
「又，阿難！菩薩信成佛慧，心自念言：『何因致其平夷之智？了不見慧之所歸趣？』如是等觀，謂持篤信。
"Furthermore, Ānanda! Bodhisattvas have faith in attaining Buddha's wisdom, thinking to themselves, 'How can one attain this level wisdom? I truly do not see where wisdom ultimately leads.' Such contemplation is called maintaining sincere faith.
「又，菩薩不信五欲，獲致道力，是謂篤信。
"Furthermore, bodhisattvas do not put faith in the five desires, but instead attain the power of the path—this is called sincere faith.
「又，菩薩何緣調心分流法施，獨逮如來、至真、等正覺？其心澹然篤于法施，心懷此念是謂持信。
"Furthermore, for what reason do bodhisattvas cultivate their minds and distribute Dharma gifts, uniquely reaching the state of the Tathāgata, the Truly and Perfectly Enlightened One? With minds tranquil and devoted to Dharma charity, harboring such thoughts is called maintaining faith.
「又，菩薩一切所有皆能惠施，不惜身命勸助於道，不擇布恩無所矜悋。一切是福勸助於道，等造空觀不見菩薩，如是察正則謂為信。
"Furthermore, bodhisattvas can give away all they possess as charity, not sparing even their bodies and lives to encourage the path, not being selective in bestowing kindness, without stinginess. All this merit encourages the path, equally cultivating the contemplation of emptiness without seeing a bodhisattva—examining this correctly is called faith."
「又，菩薩篤于佛道而心不荒，好寂寞法攘捨六情，不慕諸種志於聖軌。其不篤道開化立之，令順佛經勸使興樂、發大道意，不得彼心而無所著，等於法界。
"Furthermore, bodhisattvas are devoted to the Buddha's path with unwavering minds, delighting in the dharma of solitude, casting aside the six sense faculties, not yearning for various realms but aspiring to the holy path. For those not devoted to the path, they transform and establish them, causing them to follow the Buddha's sutras, encouraging them to take joy and develop the great path-mind, without obtaining their minds and without attachment, equal to the Dharmadhātu.
「何謂知等惟言聲矣？等諸四大諸種叵獲，有信所作，萬物無常，苦空非身。則致此力信聖戒義，而無放逸清淨之禁。
"What is meant by understanding equality as merely sound? The four great elements and all species cannot be grasped; there is what faith accomplishes—all things are impermanent, suffering, empty, and not-self. Thus attaining this power, they have faith in the meaning of holy precepts, and in the pure restraints free from carelessness.
「定意正受寂滅無為，信一切界悉歸空盡，身等無異，是則信根。
"With concentrated mind receiving the extinction of the unconditioned, they have faith that all realms ultimately return to emptiness, the body and all else without difference—this is the root of faith.
「如此等觀，不捨眾生，覩一切人法界同等，則不復見法界所在。所以者何？一切群黎究歸法界，假使篤信諸法如此，是謂持信。
"With such equal contemplation, they do not abandon sentient beings, seeing all people as equal with the Dharmadhātu, thus no longer seeing where the Dharmadhātu abides. Why is this so? All beings ultimately return to the Dharmadhātu. If one sincerely believes all dharmas are like this, this is called maintaining faith.
「又，菩薩皆信眾生諸有欲貪亦不有受，猶空自然。不見眾生之所立居，省視一切蚑行喘息人物之類悉是泥洹。所以者何？眾生空故審實本無，故見眾生悉為泥洹。令無數人奉信如此，以是菩薩則謂持信。」
"Furthermore, bodhisattvas all believe that beings' desires and cravings also do not exist to be received, like space—naturally so. They do not see where sentient beings abide, observing that all crawling and breathing beings are themselves nirvana. Why is this so? Because sentient beings are empty, fundamentally non-existent upon careful examination, therefore they see all sentient beings as nirvana. Causing countless people to have faith like this, because of this, bodhisattvas are said to maintain faith."
於是，佛頌曰：
Thereupon, the Buddha spoke these verses:
開化無數人， 令見無量佛， 於彼無所著， 是則謂持信。
Transforming countless people, Causing them to see immeasurable Buddhas, With no attachment to them— This is called maintaining faith.
信解一切法， 分別皆為空， 篤樂如此教， 是則謂持信。
Understanding all dharmas, Discerning all as empty, Sincerely delighting in such teachings— This is called maintaining faith.
志慕於道慧， 心常思於彼， 吾已當因緣， 逮心所志明。
Aspiring to the wisdom of the path, Mind constantly reflecting upon it: 'Through what causes and conditions May I attain the illumination my heart seeks?'
於五樂之欲， 未甞信樂之， 以得此信力， 是則謂持信。
Regarding the five desires and pleasures, Never having faith or delight in them, Thus attaining this power of faith— This is called maintaining faith.
信於奉禁戒， 吾何因逮成， 興行於法施， 猶如佛大聖。
Faith in upholding the precepts: 'How may I achieve The practice of Dharma-giving Like the Buddha, the Great Sage?'
彼勇猛之士， 心信行布施， 志無所想報， 是則謂持信。
Those valiant ones Whose hearts have faith in practicing charity, With no thought of reward— This is called maintaining faith.
敢有乞求者， 一切等心施， 既興無施想， 是則謂持信。
When someone dares to request, Giving to all with equal mind, Having given without the notion of giving— This is called maintaining faith.
好樂於惠與， 一切無貪垢， 皆已向聖道， 是則謂持信。
Delighting in generosity, Free from all stains of greed, All directed toward the holy path— This is called maintaining faith.
蠲除於六情， 覩了無所求， 以獲得法力， 是則謂持信。
Eliminating the six sense faculties, Seeing clearly with nothing to seek, Thus attaining the power of Dharma— This is called maintaining faith.
恭肅向於佛， 究竟心鮮潔， 常篤於道法， 是則謂持信。
Respectfully turning toward the Buddha, With ultimately pure mind, Always sincere in the path's dharma— This is called maintaining faith.
遠捨於六病， 其心無所求， 五陰以永除， 是則謂持信。
Abandoning the six afflictions, With mind seeking nothing, The five aggregates permanently removed— This is called maintaining faith.
若人不如道， 勸化令欣樂， 不疑於佛法， 是則謂持信。
When people do not follow the path, Encouraging them to delight in it, Without doubt in the Buddha-dharma— This is called maintaining faith.
若見歡喜者， 勸導其道意， 自察心不得， 是則謂持信。
Seeing those who rejoice, Guiding their path-mind, Examining oneself and finding no self— This is called maintaining faith.
慧平等六衰， 法界不差特， 於土無所獲， 土界言聲耳。
Wisdom equal to the six decays, The dharmadhātu without distinction, In the land attaining nothing, Land and realm are merely sound.
心常思終始， 若空無吾我， 於慧有大力， 是則謂持信。
Mind constantly contemplating beginning and end As empty, without self, Having great power in wisdom— This is called maintaining faith.
好修聖禁戒， 清淨無放逸， 戒定具足成， 是則謂持信。
Delighting in cultivating holy precepts, Pure and without negligence, Perfectly accomplished in precepts and concentration— This is called maintaining faith.
好樂寂然界， 眾生亦復然， 彼為有至相， 是則謂持信。
Delighting in the realm of tranquility, And likewise for sentient beings, This having ultimate characteristics— This is called maintaining faith.
不捨一切人， 法界亦如是， 計彼眾生種， 經界無思議。
Not abandoning any person, The dharmadhātu is also thus; Considering the species of beings, The realm of sutras is inconceivable.
如法界無異， 是信乃為了， 以故歎篤信， 菩薩無所畏。
Like the Dharmadhātu, without difference, This faith is then complete. Therefore praising sincere faith, Bodhisattvas are without fear.
眾生皆自然， 計了無住處， 普了明法空， 彼處不可得。
All beings are naturally so, Completely understood as having no abode, Universally understanding the emptiness of dharmas, That place cannot be obtained.
一切人無為， 其群黎亦空， 此為寂泥洹， 故為一切顯。
All people are unconditioned, Those multitudes are also empty, This is tranquil nirvana, Therefore revealed to all.
菩薩若勇猛， 解眾生如此， 以故得名號， 稱揚於持信。
When bodhisattvas are valiant, Understanding beings like this, They thus obtain the title, Praised as 'maintaining faith.'
行篤法如是， 歎之為持信。 阿難！當持是， 分別說亦然。
Practicing the sincere dharma like this, Praised as maintaining faith. Ānanda! You should uphold this, The distinctions taught are thus.
阿難！吾因此， 遵行道無餘， 是法成等覺， 菩薩演光明。
Ānanda! Because of this, I follow the path without remainder. This dharma accomplishes perfect enlightenment, Bodhisattvas emanate light."
「如是，阿難！如來、至真、等正覺以此之故，歎立菩薩，則為持信。計視此義，善權方便而開導之。」
"Thus, Ānanda! For this reason, the Tathāgata, the Truly and Perfectly Enlightened One, praises and establishes bodhisattvas, which is maintaining faith. Considering this meaning, through skillful means he guides them."