法師品第十
爾時世尊因藥王菩薩，告八萬大士：「藥王！汝見是大眾中，無量諸天、龍王、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽、人與非人，及比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，求聲聞者、求辟支佛者、求佛道者，如是等類，咸於佛前，聞妙法華經一偈一句，乃至一念隨喜者，我皆與授記，當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。」
At that time, the World-Honored One, because of Bhaiṣajya-rāja (Medicine King) Bodhisattva, addressed the eighty thousand great men, saying, "Bhaiṣajya-rāja! Do you see in this great assembly the immeasurable number of devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans and non-humans, as well as bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās, those seeking to be śrāvakas, those seeking to be pratyekabuddhas, and those seeking the Way of the Buddha? All such beings as these who, in the presence of the Buddha, hear even a single verse or a single phrase of the Lotus Sutra of Wonderful Dharma, or who even for a moment rejoice in it, I will give them all a prophecy that they will attain anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi."
佛告藥王：「又如來滅度之後，若有人聞妙法華經，乃至一偈一句，一念隨喜者，我亦與授阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記。若復有人，受持、讀誦、解說、書寫妙法華經，乃至一偈，於此經卷敬視如佛，種種供養——華、香、瓔珞、末香、塗香、燒香，繒蓋、幢幡、衣服、伎樂，乃至合掌恭敬。藥王！當知是諸人等，已曾供養十萬億佛，於諸佛所成就大願，愍眾生故，生此人間。
The Buddha said to Bhaiṣajya-rāja, "Furthermore, after the Tathagata's extinction, if there are people who hear the Lotus Sutra of Wonderful Dharma, even if it's just one verse or one phrase, and they rejoice in it even for a moment, I will also give them a prophecy of attaining anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi. If there are people who receive, uphold, read, recite, explain, or write out the Lotus Sutra of Wonderful Dharma, even if it's just one verse, and who revere this sutra as they would the Buddha, making various offerings - flowers, incense, necklaces, powdered incense, paste incense, burning incense, silken canopies, banners and flags, clothing, and music, even joining their palms in respect. Bhaiṣajya-rāja! You should know that these people have already made offerings to ten billion Buddhas and fulfilled their great vows in the presence of the Buddhas. Out of compassion for living beings, they have been born into this human realm."
「藥王！若有人問：『何等眾生，於未來世當得作佛？』應示：『是諸人等，於未來世必得作佛。』何以故？若善男子、善女人，於法華經，乃至一句，受持、讀誦、解說、書寫，種種供養經卷——華、香、瓔珞、末香、塗香、燒香、繒蓋、幢幡、衣服、伎樂，合掌恭敬；是人，一切世間所應瞻奉，應以如來供養而供養之。當知此人是大菩薩，成就阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，哀愍眾生，願生此間，廣演分別妙法華經。何況盡能受持、種種供養者？
“Bhaiṣajya-rāja! If someone asks, ‘What kind of beings will attain Buddhahood in the future?’ You should answer, ‘These people will certainly become Buddhas in the future.’ Why? If good men or good women (kulaputras & kuladhītās), with regard to the Lotus Sutra, even if it's just one phrase, receive, uphold, read, recite, explain, or write it out, and make various offerings to the sutra - flowers, incense, necklaces, powdered incense, paste incense, burning incense, silk canopies, banners and flags, clothing, and music - joining their palms in reverence; these people should be looked up to and respected by all in the world, and should be worshipped as one would worship the Tathagata. Know that such a person is a great bodhisattva who has accomplished anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi. Out of compassion for sentient beings, they wish to be born in this world to extensively expound and explain the Lotus Sutra of Wonderful Dharma. How much more so for those who can fully receive, uphold, and make various offerings to it!
藥王！當知是人，自捨清淨業報，於我滅度後，愍眾生故，生於惡世，廣演此經。若是善男子、善女人，我滅度後，能竊為一人說法華經，乃至一句；當知是人則如來使，如來所遣，行如來事。何況於大眾中廣為人說？
Bhaiṣajya-rāja! You should know that such a person has renounced their pure karmic rewards and, after my extinction, out of compassion for sentient beings, chooses to be born in an evil world to widely expound this sutra. If after my extinction, a good man or good woman can secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to even one person, even if it's just one phrase, know that this person is the Tathagata's messenger, sent by the Tathagata, carrying out the Tathagata's work. How much more so for those who expound it widely to many people in a great assembly!
「藥王！若有惡人，以不善心，於一劫中現於佛前，常毀罵佛，其罪尚輕；若人以一惡言，毀呰在家、出家讀誦法華經者，其罪甚重。
“Bhaiṣajya-rāja! If an evil person, with a mind of ill will, were to revile the Buddha to his face constantly for an entire kalpa, their offense would still be light; but if a person speaks only one word of abuse to someone, whether they be a lay person or one who has left home, who reads and recites the Lotus Sutra, their offense will be extremely heavy.
「藥王！其有讀誦法華經者，當知是人以佛莊嚴而自莊嚴，則為如來肩所荷擔。其所至方，應隨向禮，一心合掌，恭敬供養，尊重讚歎，華、香、瓔珞，末香、塗香、燒香，繒蓋、幢幡，衣服、餚饌，作諸伎樂，人中上供，而供養之，應持天寶而以散之，天上寶聚應以奉獻。所以者何？是人歡喜說法，須臾聞之，即得究竟阿耨多羅三藐三菩提故。」
“Bhaiṣajya-rāja! Anyone who reads and recites the Lotus Sutra should be known as one who adorns themselves with the Buddha's adornments and is thus carried on the shoulders of the Tathagata. Wherever this person goes, they should be greeted with bows, and with palms pressed together in reverence, should be respected, honored, praised and offered flowers, incense, necklaces, powdered incense, paste incense, incense for burning, silken canopies, banners and flags, clothing and delicacies. They should be presented with music and the highest offerings among humans. Heavenly treasures should be scattered over them, and heavenly jewels offered to them. Why is this? Because this person joyfully expounds the Dharma, and those who hear it, even for a moment, will ultimately attain anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi.
爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：
At that time, the World-Honored One, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:
若欲住佛道， 成就自然智， 常當勤供養， 受持法華者。
If one wishes to abide in the Way of the Buddha, And attain self-realized wisdom, One should constantly and diligently make offerings To those who uphold the Lotus Sutra.
其有欲疾得， 一切種智慧， 當受持是經， 并供養持者。
Those who wish to quickly attain All-encompassing wisdom, Should uphold this sutra, And make offerings to those who uphold it.
若有能受持， 妙法華經者， 當知佛所使， 愍念諸眾生。
If there are those who can uphold The Lotus Sutra of Wonderful Dharma, Know that they are messengers of the Buddha, Sent out of compassion for all beings.
諸有能受持， 妙法華經者， 捨於清淨土， 愍眾故生此。
Those who are able to uphold The Lotus Sutra of Wondrous Dharma, Have relinquished the pure land, And out of compassion are born here.
當知如是人， 自在所欲生， 能於此惡世， 廣說無上法。
Know that such people Are free to be born wherever they wish, And in this evil world Can widely expound the unsurpassed Dharma.
應以天華香， 及天寶衣服， 天上妙寶聚， 供養說法者。
One should use heavenly flowers and incense, And celestial precious garments, Heavenly collections of wondrous treasures, To make offerings to those who expound the Dharma.
吾滅後惡世， 能持是經者， 當合掌禮敬， 如供養世尊。
After my extinction, in the evil age, Those who can uphold this sutra, Should join palms and pay reverence, As if making offerings to the World-Honored One.
上饌眾甘美， 及種種衣服， 供養是佛子， 冀得須臾聞。
The finest and most delicious foods, And various kinds of clothing, Should be offered to these children of the Buddha, In hopes of hearing them for even a moment.
若能於後世， 受持是經者， 我遣在人中， 行於如來事。
If in future ages, There are those who can accept and uphold this sutra, I will send them to be among humans, To carry out the Tathagata's work.
若於一劫中， 常懷不善心， 作色而罵佛， 獲無量重罪。
If for an entire kalpa, One constantly harbors an unwholesome mind, And with anger reviles the Buddha, The offense incurred will be immeasurably great.
其有讀誦持， 是法華經者， 須臾加惡言， 其罪復過彼。
But if there is someone who reads, recites, and upholds This Lotus Sutra, And for even a moment speaks evil of it, Their offense will be even greater than the former.
有人求佛道， 而於一劫中， 合掌在我前， 以無數偈讚。
If there is a person seeking the Way of the Buddha, Who for the span of a kalpa Stands before me with palms joined, And praises me with countless verses,
由是讚佛故， 得無量功德， 歎美持經者， 其福復過彼。
Because of praising the Buddha in this way, One obtains immeasurable merit. If one praises those who uphold this sutra, The blessings are even greater than that.
於八十億劫， 以最妙色聲， 及與香味觸， 供養持經者。
For eighty billion kalpas, With the most wondrous forms and sounds, And with fragrances, tastes, and tactile sensations, One makes offerings to those who uphold this sutra.
如是供養已， 若得須臾聞， 則應自欣慶， 我今獲大利。
Having made such offerings, If one can hear it for even a moment, One should rejoice, Saying, ‘I have now gained great benefit.’
藥王今告汝， 我所說諸經， 而於此經中， 法華最第一。」
Bhaiṣajya-rāja, I now tell you, Among all the sutras I have spoken, Among these sutras, The Lotus Sutra is foremost.
爾時佛復告藥王菩薩摩訶薩：「我所說經典無量千萬億，已說、今說、當說，而於其中，此法華經最為難信難解。
At that time, the Buddha again addressed Bhaiṣajya-rāja Bodhisattva Mahasattva, saying, "The sutras I have expounded are immeasurable thousands of millions in number - those already spoken, those now being spoken, and those to be spoken in the future. But among them all, this Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand.
「藥王！此經是諸佛祕要之藏，不可分布妄授與人；諸佛世尊之所守護，從昔已來，未曾顯說。而此經者，如來現在，猶多怨嫉，況滅度後？
“Bhaiṣajya-rāja! This sutra is the treasury of the secret essence of all Buddhas. It must not be distributed recklessly or given to others carelessly. It has been protected by all the Buddhas World-Honored Ones. From the past until now, it has never been openly expounded. And this sutra, even while the Tathagata is still present in the world, has aroused much enmity and envy. How much more so after his passing away!
「藥王！當知如來滅後，其能書、持、讀、誦、供養、為他人說者，如來則為以衣覆之，又為他方現在諸佛之所護念。是人有大信力，及志願力、諸善根力。當知是人與如來共宿，則為如來手摩其頭。
“Bhaiṣajya-rāja! You should know that after the Tathagata's extinction, those who can copy, uphold, read, recite, make offerings to it and expound it for others will be covered by the Tathagata's robe. They will also be protected and kept in mind by the Buddhas presently living in other directions. Such people will have great power of faith, and power of aspiration and of all good roots. You should know that such people abide in the same place as the Tathagata, and the Tathagata's hand will pat them on the head.
「藥王！在在處處，若說、若讀、若誦、若書，若經卷所住處，皆應起七寶塔，極令高廣嚴飾，不須復安舍利。所以者何？此中已有如來全身。此塔，應以一切華、香、瓔珞，繒蓋、幢幡，伎樂、歌頌，供養恭敬，尊重讚歎。若有人得見此塔，禮拜、供養，當知是等皆近阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。
“Bhaiṣajya-rāja! In any place where this sutra is expounded, read, recited, copied or where sutra scrolls are kept, one should erect a seven-jeweled stupa, building it high and broad and making it splendidly adorned. There is no need to lodge śarīra relics in it. Why? Because in it there is already the complete body of the Tathagata. This stupa should be reverently worshiped and honored with offerings of all kinds of flowers, incense, necklaces, silken canopies, banners, flags, music and songs of praise. If people see this stupa and bow and make offerings to it, know that they are all close to anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
「藥王！多有人在家、出家行菩薩道，若不能得見聞、讀誦、書持、供養是法華經者，當知是人未善行菩薩道；若有得聞是經典者，乃能善行菩薩之道。其有眾生求佛道者，若見、若聞是法華經，聞已信解受持者，當知是人得近阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。
"Bhaiṣajya-rāja! Many people, both at home and those who have left home life, practice the bodhisattva path. If they are unable to see, hear, read, recite, write, uphold, and make offerings to this Lotus Sutra, know that these people have not yet properly practiced the bodhisattva path. If there are those who hear this sutra, they are able to properly practice the bodhisattva path. For those beings seeking the Way of the Buddha, if they see or hear this Lotus Sutra, and after hearing it, believe, understand, accept and uphold it, know that these people are close to anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
「藥王！譬如有人渴乏須水，於彼高原穿鑿求之，猶見乾土，知水尚遠；施功不已，轉見濕土，遂漸至泥，其心決定、知水必近。菩薩亦復如是，若未聞、未解、未能修習是法華經者，當知是人去阿耨多羅三藐三菩提尚遠；若得聞解、思惟、修習，必知得近阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。所以者何？一切菩薩阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，皆屬此經——此經開方便門，示真實相。是法華經藏，深固幽遠，無人能到，今佛教化成就菩薩而為開示。
“Bhaiṣajya-rāja! It is like a person who is thirsty and in need of water. They dig on high ground searching for it, but still see only dry earth and know the water is still far away. They continue their efforts without stopping, and then begin to see moist earth, and gradually reach mud. Their mind becomes certain, knowing that water must be near. It is the same for bodhisattvas. If they have not heard, not understood, and not been able to cultivate and practice this Lotus Sutra, know that these people are still far from anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. If they are able to hear, understand, contemplate, and practice it, they will certainly know they are close to anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Why is this? All bodhisattvas' anuttara-samyak-sambodhi belongs to this sutra - this sutra opens the gateway of upāya and reveals the true characteristic of reality. This treasury of the Lotus Sutra is profound, firm, and far-reaching. No one can reach it, but now the Buddha, in order to educate and transform bodhisattvas to perfection, reveals and explains it.
「藥王！若有菩薩聞是法華經，驚疑、怖畏，當知是為新發意菩薩；若聲聞人聞是經，驚疑、怖畏，當知是為增上慢者。
“Bhaiṣajya-rāja! If there are bodhisattvas who, upon hearing this Lotus Sutra, are startled, doubtful, or fearful, know that these are newly initiated bodhisattvas. If there are śrāvakas who, upon hearing this sutra, are startled, doubtful, or fearful, know that these are those with overweening pride."
「藥王！若有善男子、善女人，如來滅後，欲為四眾說是法華經者，云何應說？是善男子、善女人，入如來室，著如來衣，坐如來座，爾乃應為四眾廣說斯經。如來室者，一切眾生中大慈悲心是；如來衣者，柔和忍辱心是；如來座者，一切法空是。安住是中，然後以不懈怠心，為諸菩薩及四眾廣說是法華經。
"Bhaiṣajya-rāja! If there are good men or good women who, after the Tathāgata's extinction, wish to expound this Lotus Sutra to the four groups of believers, how should they expound it? These good men and women should enter the Tathāgata's room, wear the Tathāgata's robe, and sit on the Tathāgata's seat. Only then should they broadly expound this sutra to the four groups. The Tathāgata's room is the great compassionate heart toward all living beings. The Tathāgata's robe is the mind of gentleness and patience. The Tathāgata's seat is the emptiness of all phenomena. Abiding secure in these, they should, with tireless minds, broadly expound this Lotus Sutra to the bodhisattvas and the four groups."
「藥王！我於餘國，遣化人為其集聽法眾，亦遣化比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷聽其說法，是諸化人，聞法信受，隨順不逆。若說法者在空閑處，我時廣遣天、龍、鬼神、乾闥婆、阿修羅等，聽其說法。我雖在異國，時時令說法者得見我身。若於此經忘失句逗，我還為說，令得具足。」
"Bhaiṣajya-rāja! In other lands, I will send transformational people to gather assemblies to hear the Dharma. I will also send transformational bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās to listen to the Dharma. These transformational people, hearing the Dharma, will believe and accept it, and follow it without opposition. If the Dharma preacher is in a quiet place, I will at that time send forth many devas, nāgas, spirits, gandharvas, asuras, and others to listen to the preaching of the Dharma. Although I myself will be in another land, from time to time I will enable the Dharma preacher to see my body. If they forget a passage or phrase of this sutra, I will once again tell it to them, enabling the text to be complete."
爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：
At that time the World-Honored One, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:
欲捨諸懈怠， 應當聽此經， 是經難得聞， 信受者亦難。
One who wishes to abandon all laziness, Should listen to this sutra. This sutra is difficult to hear, And those who believe and accept it are also rare.
如人渴須水， 穿鑿於高原， 猶見乾燥土， 知去水尚遠；
Like a thirsty person needing water, Digging on high ground, Still seeing dry soil, Knowing water is still far away;
漸見濕土泥， 決定知近水。 藥王汝當知！ 如是諸人等，
Gradually seeing moist soil and mud, One knows for certain water is near. Bhaiṣajya-rāja, you should know! People are like this,
不聞法華經， 去佛智甚遠， 若聞是深經， 決了聲聞法。
Those who have not heard the Lotus Sutra, Are very far from the Buddha's wisdom. If they hear this profound sutra, They will decisively understand śrāvaka dharma.
是諸經之王， 聞已諦思惟， 當知此人等， 近於佛智慧。
This king of all sutras, Having heard it, one should carefully contemplate. Know that such people Are close to the Buddha's wisdom.
若人說此經， 應入如來室， 著於如來衣， 而坐如來座， 處眾無所畏， 廣為分別說。
If one expounds this sutra, One should enter the Tathāgata's room, Wear the Tathāgata's robe, And sit on the Tathāgata's seat. Fearless among the assembly, Broadly explain and differentiate.
大慈悲為室， 柔和忍辱衣， 諸法空為座， 處此為說法。
Great compassion is the room, Gentleness and patience the robe, The emptiness of all dharmas the seat, Abiding in these to expound the Dharma.
若說此經時， 有人惡口罵， 加刀杖瓦石， 念佛故應忍。
If when expounding this sutra, Someone speaks ill or abuses, Or threatens with knife, staff, tile, or stone, Mindful of the Buddha, one should endure.
我千萬億土， 現淨堅固身， 於無量億劫， 為眾生說法。
In my billion worlds, I manifest a pure, firm body, And for countless kalpas, Expound the Dharma for living beings.
若我滅度後， 能說此經者， 我遣化四眾， 比丘比丘尼，
After my extinction, If there are those who can expound this sutra, I will send the transformational fourfold assembly, Bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs,
及清信士女， 供養於法師， 引導諸眾生， 集之令聽法。
Laymen and laywomen of pure faith, To make offerings to those Dharmabhānakas, Leading all living beings, Gathering them to hear the Dharma.
若人欲加惡， 刀杖及瓦石， 則遣變化人， 為之作衛護。
If someone wishes to do harm, With knife, staff, tile, or stone, I will send transformational people To protect them.
若說法之人， 獨在空閑處， 寂寞無人聲， 讀誦此經典，
If one who explains the Dharma Is alone in a quiet place, Silent without human voices, Reading and reciting this sutra,
我爾時為現， 清淨光明身。 若忘失章句， 為說令通利。
At that time I will manifest A pure body of light. If they forget passages or phrases, I will speak to them, making them fluent.
若人具是德， 或為四眾說， 空處讀誦經， 皆得見我身。
If one possesses these virtues, And expounds for the fourfold assembly, Or reads and recites this sutra in an empty place, They will all be able to see my body.
若人在空閑， 我遣天龍王， 夜叉鬼神等， 為作聽法眾。
If one is in a quiet place, I will send deva and nāga kings, Yakṣas, spirits, and ghosts To be the audience listening to the Dharma.
是人樂說法， 分別無罣礙， 諸佛護念故， 能令大眾喜。
This person, who delights in expounding upon the Dharma, Differentiates without hindrance. Because all Buddhas protect and keep them in mind, They can make the great assembly rejoice.
若親近法師， 速得菩薩道， 隨順是師學， 得見恒沙佛。」
If one draws near to a Dharmabhānaka, They will quickly attain the bodhisattva path. By following and learning from this teacher, They will see Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.