常不輕菩薩品第二十
Chapter Twenty: Bodhisattva Sadāparibhūta (Never Disparaging)
爾時，佛告得大勢菩薩摩訶薩：「汝今當知！若比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷持法花經者，若有惡口、罵詈、誹謗，獲大罪報，如前所說；其所得功德，如向所說，眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意清淨。
At that time, the Buddha said to the Bodhisattva-mahāsattva Mahāstāmaprapta, "You should now know! If there are bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, or upāsikās who uphold the Lotus Sutra, if anyone speaks evil of them, abuses, or slanders them, they will incur a great sinful retribution, as previously stated. The merits gained by those who uphold the sutra are as mentioned before: their eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind become pure.
「得大勢！乃往古昔，過無量無邊不可思議阿僧祇劫，有佛名威音王如來、應供、正遍知、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊。劫名離衰，國名大成。其威音王佛，於彼世中，為天、人、阿修羅說法，為求聲聞者，說應四諦法，度生老病死，究竟涅槃；為求辟支佛者，說應十二因緣法；為諸菩薩，因阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，說應六波羅蜜法，究竟佛慧。
“Mahāstāmaprapta! In the distant past, beyond immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable asaṃkhyeya kalpas, there was a Buddha named Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja Tathāgata (King of Awesome Sound), Arhat, of Right and Universal Knowledge, Perfect in Clarity and Conduct, Sugata, Understanding the World, Unsurpassed Worthy, Tamer of Men, Teacher of Devas and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One. The kalpa was called Vinirbhoga (Free from Decline), and the country was called Mahāsambhava (Great Accomplishment). In that world, this Buddha Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja expounded the Dharma for devas, humans, and asuras. For those seeking to be śrāvakas, he taught the Four Noble Truths to help them transcend birth, old age, sickness, and death, and ultimately attain nirvana. For those seeking to be pratyekabuddhas, he taught the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination. For bodhisattvas, because of anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi, he taught the Six Pāramitās, ultimately leading to Buddha wisdom.
「得大勢！是威音王佛，壽四十萬億那由他恒河沙劫；正法住世劫數，如一閻浮提微塵；像法住世劫數，如四天下微塵。其佛饒益眾生已，然後滅度。正法、像法滅盡之後，於此國土復有佛出，亦號威音王如來、應供、正遍知、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊。如是次第有二萬億佛，皆同一號。
“Mahāstāmaprapta! The lifespan of this Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja Buddha was forty million billion nayutas of Ganges River sands kalpas. The period his true Dharma remained in the world was as many kalpas as there are dust particles in one Jambudvīpa continent. The period his semblance Dharma remained in the world was as many kalpas as the dust particles in four continents. After this Buddha had benefited living beings, he passed into extinction. After the true Dharma and the semblance Dharma had become extinct, another Buddha appeared in this land, also named Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja Tathagata, Arhat, of Right and Universal Knowledge, Perfect in Clarity and Conduct, Sugata, Understanding the World, Unsurpassed Worthy, Tamer of Men, Teacher of Devas and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One. In this way, there were twenty thousand million Buddhas, one after another, all with the same name."
「最初威音王如來既已滅度，正法滅後，於像法中，增上慢比丘有大勢力。爾時有一菩薩比丘名常不輕。得大勢！以何因緣名常不輕？是比丘，凡有所見——若比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷——皆悉禮拜讚歎而作是言：『我深敬汝等，不敢輕慢。所以者何？汝等皆行菩薩道，當得作佛。』而是比丘，不專讀誦經典，但行禮拜，乃至遠見四眾，亦復故往禮拜讚歎而作是言：『我不敢輕於汝等，汝等皆當作佛。』四眾之中，有生瞋恚、心不淨者，惡口罵詈言：『是無智比丘從何所來？自言：「我不輕汝。」而與我等授記，當得作佛。我等不用如是虛妄授記。』如此經歷多年，常被罵詈，不生瞋恚，常作是言：『汝當作佛。』說是語時，眾人或以杖木瓦石而打擲之，避走遠住，猶高聲唱言：『我不敢輕於汝等，汝等皆當作佛。』以其常作是語故，增上慢比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，號之為常不輕。是比丘臨欲終時，於虛空中，具聞威音王佛先所說法華經二十千萬億偈，悉能受持，即得如上眼根清淨、耳鼻舌身意根清淨。得是六根清淨已，更增壽命二百萬億那由他歲，廣為人說是法華經。於時增上慢四眾——比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷——輕賤是人，為作不輕名者，見其得大神通力、樂說辯力、大善寂力，聞其所說，皆信伏隨從。是菩薩復化千萬億眾，令住阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。命終之後，得值二千億佛，皆號日月燈明，於其法中，說是法華經。以是因緣，復值二千億佛，同號雲自在燈王，於此諸佛法中，受持讀誦，為諸四眾說此經典故，得是常眼清淨，耳、鼻、舌、身、意諸根清淨，於四眾中說法，心無所畏。
“After the first Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja Tathagata had passed into extinction and the true Dharma had perished, during the era of the semblance Dharma, arrogant bhikṣus wielded great power. At that time, there was a ‘bodhisattva bhikṣu’ called Sadāparibhūta (Never Disparaging).
Mahāsthāmaprāpta! Why was he named Sadāparibhūta? This bhikṣu, whenever he saw any bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas or upāsikās, would bow to them in reverence and praise them, saying, ‘I deeply respect you all and dare not belittle you. Why? Because you are all practicing the bodhisattva path and will attain Buddhahood.’
This monk did not focus on reciting sutras, but only practiced bowing in reverence. Even when he saw the four groups of Buddhist followers from afar, he would deliberately go to bow to them and praise them, saying, ‘I dare not disparage you, for you will all become Buddhas.’ Among the four groups, there were some who became angry and impure of mind, cursing and reviling him, saying, ‘Where did this ignorant monk come from? He says, “I do not disparage you,” yet he gives us a prediction that we will become Buddhas. We do not need such false predictions.’
This went on for many years. He was constantly reviled, but he did not become angry and always said, ‘You will become a Buddha.’ When he said these words, some people would beat him with sticks and throw tiles and stones at him. He would run away and stand at a distance, yet still call out in a loud voice, ‘I dare not disparage you, for you will all become Buddhas.’ Because he always said these words, the arrogant bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās called him Sadāparibhūta, ‘Never Disparaging’.
When this bhikṣu was about to die, he heard in the sky the complete twenty thousand million verses of the Lotus Sutra that had been previously taught by Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja Buddha. He was able to receive and uphold them all. He immediately gained purification of his eye faculty, and his ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind faculties were also purified. Having gained the purification of these six faculties, his life span was further increased by two hundred million billion nayutas of years, and he widely expounded the Lotus Sutra to people.
At that time, the four groups of arrogant followers - bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās - who had disparaged this person and given him the name Sadāparibhūta, saw that he had gained great supernatural powers, the power of eloquent preaching, and the power of great tranquil emancipation. Hearing his preaching, they all believed in and followed him. This bodhisattva converted thousands of millions of people, causing them to abide in anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
After his life ended, he was able to encounter two thousand million Buddhas, all named Candraprabhāsvararāja (Lamp of Sun and Moon light). In their Dharma, he expounded this Lotus Sutra. By virtue of these causes and conditions, he further encountered two thousand million Buddhas, all with the identical name Dundubhisvararāja (King of Cloud-Like Self-Mastery Lamp). In the Dharma of all these Buddhas, he received, upheld, read, and recited this sutra and expounded it to the four groups. For this reason, he gained purification of his ordinary eye, and all his faculties - ear, nose, tongue, body and mind - were purified. Among the four groups he preached the Dharma with fearless mind.
「得大勢！是常不輕菩薩摩訶薩，供養如是若干諸佛，恭敬、尊重、讚歎、種諸善根，於後復值千萬億佛，亦於諸佛法中說是經典，功德成就，當得作佛。
"Mahāsthāmaprāpta! This Sadāparibhūta Bodhisattva Mahāsattva made offerings to numerous Buddhas, paying respect, honoring, praising, and planting various roots of goodness. Later, he encountered thousands of millions of Buddhas, and also expounded this sutra within the Dharma of those Buddhas. His merits being accomplished, he will attain Buddhahood.
「得大勢！於意云何？爾時常不輕菩薩豈異人乎？則我身是。若我於宿世不受持讀誦此經、為他人說者，不能疾得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。我於先佛所，受持讀誦此經、為人說故，疾得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。
“Mahāsthāmaprāpta! What do you think? Could that Sadāparibhūta Bodhisattva of that time have been anyone else? It was none other than myself. If in my previous lives I had not received, upheld, read, and recited this sutra and explained it to others, I could not have swiftly attained anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi. It was because I received, upheld, read, and recited this sutra and explained it to others in the presence of previous Buddhas that I swiftly attained anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi.
「得大勢！彼時四眾——比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷——以瞋恚意輕賤我故，二百億劫常不值佛、不聞法、不見僧，千劫於阿鼻地獄受大苦惱。畢是罪已，復遇常不輕菩薩，教化阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。
“Mahāsthāmaprāpta! The four groups at that time - bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās - because they despised me with angry minds, for two hundred million kalpas they constantly did not encounter a Buddha, did not hear the Dharma, did not see the Sangha, and for a thousand kalpas they suffered great torment in the Avīci Hell. After exhausting their offenses, they again encountered Sadāparibhūta Bodhisattva, who taught them anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi.
「得大勢，於汝意云何？爾時四眾常輕是菩薩者，豈異人乎？今此會中跋陀婆羅等五百菩薩、師子月等五百比丘、尼思佛等五百優婆塞，皆於阿耨多羅三藐三菩提不退轉者是。
“Mahāsthāmaprāpta, what do you think? Were the four groups who constantly disparaged that bodhisattva at that time someone else? They are the five hundred bodhisattvas headed by Bhadrapāla, the five hundred bhikṣus headed by Siṃhacandra, and the five hundred upāsakas headed by Nityodukta, all of whom are now in this assembly and have attained the stage of non-retrogression in anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi.
「得大勢！當知是法華經，大饒益諸菩薩摩訶薩，能令至於阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。是故諸菩薩摩訶薩，於如來滅後，常應受持、讀誦、解說、書寫是經。」
Mahāsthāmaprāpta! You should know that this Lotus Sutra greatly benefits all Bodhisattva Mahāsattvas and can lead them to anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi. Therefore, after the Tathāgata's extinction, all Bodhisattva Mahāsattvas should constantly receive, uphold, read, recite, explain, and copy this sutra."
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 verses saying:
過去有佛， 號威音王， 神智無量， 將導一切， 天人龍神， 所共供養。
In the past there was a Buddha, Named Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja, With immeasurable divine wisdom, Who guided all beings. Devas, humans, nāgas, and spirits All made offerings to him.
是佛滅後， 法欲盡時， 有一菩薩， 名常不輕。
After this Buddha's extinction, When the Dharma was about to end, There was a bodhisattva Called Sadāparibhūta.
時諸四眾， 計著於法。
At that time, the four groups Were attached to the Dharma.
不輕菩薩， 往到其所， 而語之言： 『我不輕汝，
Sadāparibhūta Bodhisattva Went to where they were, And said to them: "I do not disparage you,
汝等行道， 皆當作佛。』 諸人聞已， 輕毀罵詈；
You who practice the Way Will all become Buddhas." When people heard this, They reviled and insulted him;
不輕菩薩， 能忍受之。
Sadāparibhūta Bodhisattva Was able to endure it.
其罪畢已， 臨命終時， 得聞此經， 六根清淨。
When his offenses were exhausted, At the end of his life, He was able to hear this sutra, And his six sense organs were purified.
神通力故， 增益壽命， 復為諸人， 廣說是經。
Due to his supernatural powers, His lifespan was increased. Again, for the sake of people, He widely expounded this sutra.
諸著法眾， 皆蒙菩薩， 教化成就， 令住佛道。
All those attached to the Dharma Were enlightened by the Bodhisattva, Taught and brought to fulfillment, And established in the Buddha's Way.
不輕命終， 值無數佛， 說是經故， 得無量福，
When Sadāparibhūta's life ended, He encountered countless Buddhas. Because he expounded this sutra, He gained immeasurable blessings.
漸具功德， 疾成佛道。 彼時不輕， 則我身是。
Gradually perfecting his merits, He swiftly attained the Buddha Way. That Sadāparibhūta of that time Was none other than myself.
時四部眾， 著法之者， 聞不輕言： 『汝當作佛。』
The four groups at that time Who were attached to the Dharma, Who heard Sadāparibhūta say, "You will become Buddhas."
以是因緣， 值無數佛。 此會菩薩， 五百之眾，
Through this causal connection, They encountered countless Buddhas. This assembly of Bodhisattvas, The five hundred in number,
并及四部， 清信士女， 今於我前， 聽法者是。
As well as the four groups Of pure-faithed laymen and laywomen, Now before me Listening to the Dharma, are those very people.
我於前世， 勸是諸人， 聽受斯經， 第一之法。
In my previous lives, I encouraged these people To listen to and accept this sutra, The foremost Dharma.
開示教人， 令住涅槃， 世世受持， 如是經典。
I revealed and taught people, Establishing them in nirvana. Life after life they upheld This sutra.
億億萬劫， 至不可議， 時乃得聞， 是法華經。
Only after billions of kalpas, Inconceivable in number, Could they finally hear This Lotus Sutra.
億億萬劫， 至不可議， 諸佛世尊、 時說是經。
Only after billions of kalpas, Inconceivable in number, Did the World-Honored Buddhas Expound this sutra.
是故行者， 於佛滅後， 聞如是經， 勿生疑惑。
Therefore, practitioners, After the Buddha's extinction, On hearing a sutra such as this, Should not give rise to doubts.
應當一心、 廣說此經， 世世值佛， 疾成佛道。」
They should with single mind Widely expound this sutra, So that life after life they will meet Buddhas And quickly realize the Buddha Way.