摩訶般若波羅蜜

明呪品第四

爾時釋提桓因與四萬天子在會中者，語釋提桓因言：「憍尸迦！應受持讀誦般若波羅蜜。」

At that time, the forty thousand heavenly beings in the assembly of Śakra-devānāmindra said to Śakra-devānāmindra, "Kauśika! You should uphold, read, and recite the Prajñāpāramitā."

佛告釋提桓因：「憍尸迦！汝受持讀誦般若波羅蜜，若阿修羅生念：『欲與忉利諸天共鬪。』爾時汝當誦念般若波羅蜜。以是因緣故，阿修羅惡心即滅。」

The Buddha said to Śakra-devānāmindra, "Kauśika! You should uphold, read, and recite the Prajñāpāramitā. If the Asuras have thoughts of wanting to fight with the gods of Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, at that time you should recite and contemplate the Prajñāpāramitā. For this reason, the evil intentions of the Asuras will immediately disappear."

釋提桓因白佛言：「世尊！般若波羅蜜是大明呪，般若波羅蜜是無上呪，般若波羅蜜是無等等呪。」

Śakra-devānāmindra said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! The Prajñāpāramitā is the great illuminating mantra, the Prajñāpāramitā is the unsurpassed mantra, the Prajñāpāramitā is the unequaled mantra."

佛言：「如是，如是！憍尸迦！般若波羅蜜是大明呪，般若波羅蜜是無上呪，般若波羅蜜是無等等呪。何以故？憍尸迦！過去諸佛，因是明呪，得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。未來諸佛，亦因是呪，當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。今十方現在諸佛，亦因是呪，得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。

The Buddha said: "So it is, so it is! Kauśika! The Prajñāpāramitā is the great illuminating mantra, the Prajñāpāramitā is the unsurpassed mantra, the Prajñāpāramitā is the unequaled mantra. Why is this so? Kauśika! The Buddhas of the past attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi because of this illuminating mantra. The Buddhas of the future will also attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi because of this mantra. The present Buddhas in the ten directions have also attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi because of this mantra."

「憍尸迦！因是明呪，十善道出現於世，四禪、四無量心、四無色定、五神通出現於世。因菩薩故，十善道出現於世，四禪、四無量心、四無色定、五神通出現於世。若諸佛不出於世，但因菩薩故，十善道、四禪、四無量心、四無色定、五神通出現於世。譬如月不出時，星宿光明，照於世間。如是，憍尸迦！世無佛時，所有善行正行，皆從菩薩出生。菩薩方便力，皆從般若波羅蜜生。

"Kauśika! Because of this illuminating mantra, the ten wholesome ways of action appear in the world, the four dhyānas, the four immeasurables, the four formless attainments, and the five supernatural powers appear in the world. Because of the bodhisattvas, the ten wholesome ways of action appear in the world, the four dhyānas, the four immeasurables, the four formless attainments, and the five supernatural powers appear in the world. If the Buddhas do not appear in the world, it is only because of the bodhisattvas that the ten wholesome ways of action, the four dhyānas, the four immeasurables, the four formless attainments, and the five supernatural powers appear in the world. It is like when the moon does not appear, the light of the stars illuminates the world. Similarly, Kauśika! When there is no Buddha in the world, all good and righteous actions are born from the bodhisattvas. The upāya of the bodhisattvas all arise from the Prajñāpāramitā."

「復次，憍尸迦！若善男子、善女人，供養般若波羅蜜經卷，恭敬尊重讚歎，得是現世福德。」釋提桓因白佛言：「世尊！得何等現世福德？」「憍尸迦！是善男子、善女人，毒不能傷，火不能燒，終不橫死。又善男子、善女人，若官事起，誦念般若波羅蜜，官事即滅，諸求短者皆不得便。何以故？般若波羅蜜所護故。

"Furthermore, Kauśika! If good men and good women make offerings to the Prajñāpāramitā scripture, revere, honor, and praise it, they will obtain worldly merits." Śakra-devānāmindra said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! What kind of worldly merits will they obtain?" "Kauśika! These good men and good women cannot be harmed by poison, cannot be burned by fire, and will not die untimely deaths. Moreover, if these good men and good women encounter legal troubles, by reciting and contemplating the Prajñāpāramitā, the legal troubles will dissipate, and those who seek to harm them will not succeed. Why is this so? Because they are protected by the Prajñāpāramitā."

「復次，憍尸迦！善男子、善女人，誦念般若波羅蜜，若至國王，若王子大臣所，皆歡喜問訊，與共語言。何以故？憍尸迦！般若波羅蜜為慈悲一切眾生故出。是故，憍尸迦！諸求短者，皆不得便。」

"Furthermore, Kauśika! When good men and good women recite and contemplate the Prajñāpāramitā, if they go before kings, princes, or ministers, they will all be greeted with joy and spoken to. Why is this so? Kauśika! The Prajñāpāramitā appears out of compassion for all sentient beings. Therefore, Kauśika! Those who seek to harm them will not succeed."

爾時外道出家百人，欲求佛短，來向佛所。釋提桓因作是念：「是諸外道出家百人，欲求佛短，來向佛所。我從佛所受般若波羅蜜，今當誦念。是諸外道來至佛所，或能斷說般若波羅蜜。」如是思惟已，即誦念從佛所受般若波羅蜜。

At that time, one hundred non-Buddhist renunciants, wanting to find fault with the Buddha, came to where the Buddha was. Śakra-devānāmindra thought: "These one hundred non-Buddhist renunciants, wanting to find fault with the Buddha, are coming to where the Buddha is. I have received the Prajñāpāramitā from the Buddha, and now I should recite it. When these non-Buddhists come to where the Buddha is, they might interrupt the teaching of the Prajñāpāramitā." Having thought this, he immediately began to recite the Prajñāpāramitā he had received from the Buddha.

時諸外道，遙遶佛，復道而去。舍利弗作是念：「何因緣故，是諸外道遶佛而去？」佛知舍利弗心所念，告舍利弗：「是釋提桓因誦念般若波羅蜜。如是外道，乃無一人有善心者，皆持惡意來求佛短，是故外道各各復道而去。」

At that time, the non-Buddhist renunciants circled the Buddha from afar and then left. Śāriputra thought, "For what reason did these non-Buddhists circle the Buddha and leave?" The Buddha, knowing Śāriputra's thoughts, told him, "It is because Śakra-devānāmindra was reciting the Prajñāpāramitā. These non-Buddhists, not a single one of them having a good intention, all came with evil intentions to find fault with the Buddha. That is why the non-Buddhists each turned back and left."

爾時惡魔作是念：「今是四眾，及欲、色界諸天子在佛前坐，其中必有菩薩受阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記者，我當壞亂。」即化作四種兵，向佛所。爾時釋提桓因作是念：「魔嚴四兵來至佛所。四種兵相，摩伽陀國頻婆娑羅王之所無有，憍薩羅國波斯匿王亦所無有，諸釋子所無有，諸黎車所無有。今是兵相，必是惡魔所作。是魔長夜欲求佛短，惱亂眾生，我當誦念般若波羅蜜。」釋提桓因即默誦般若波羅蜜，隨其所誦，惡魔稍稍復道而去。

At that time, the evil Māra thought: "Now the four assemblies and the heavenly beings of the desire and form realms are sitting before the Buddha. Among them, there must be bodhisattvas who have received the prediction of attaining anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. I should disrupt them." He then transformed into four types of armies and approached the Buddha's location.

At that time, Śakra-devānāmindra thought: "Māra has brought four armies to the Buddha's location. These four types of armies are not possessed by King Bimbisāra of Magadha, nor by King Prasenajit of Kośala, nor by the Śākyas, nor by the Licchavis. These armies must be the work of the evil Māra. This Māra has long sought to find fault with the Buddha and disturb sentient beings. I should recite the Prajñāpāramitā."

Śakra-devānāmindra then silently recited the Prajñāpāramitā. As he recited, the evil Māra gradually retreated and left.

爾時忉利諸天，化作天華，在於空中散佛上，作是念：「願般若波羅蜜久住閻浮提，閻浮提人當得誦習。」是時諸天，復以天花散佛上，作是言：「世尊！若有眾生行般若波羅蜜，修習般若波羅蜜，魔若魔天不得其便。」

At that time, the gods of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven created celestial flowers and scattered them over the Buddha from the sky, thinking, "May the Prajñāpāramitā long remain in Jambudvīpa, and may the people of Jambudvīpa be able to recite and practice it." At this time, the gods again scattered celestial flowers over the Buddha and said: "World-Honored One! If sentient beings practice the Prajñāpāramitā and cultivate the Prajñāpāramitā, Māra or the gods of Māra will not be able to take advantage of them."

爾時釋提桓因白佛言：「世尊！若人得聞般若波羅蜜者，已曾親近諸佛，不從小功德來。何況受持讀誦，如所說學，如所說行。何以故？世尊！諸菩薩薩婆若，當於般若波羅蜜中求。世尊！譬如大寶，當於大海中求。世尊！諸佛薩婆若大寶，應於般若波羅蜜中求。」佛言：「如是，如是！憍尸迦！諸佛薩婆若皆於般若波羅蜜中生。」

At that time, Śakra-devānāmindra addressed the Buddha, saying, "World-Honored One! Those who hear the Prajñāpāramitā must have been close to Buddhas in the past and have not come from small merits. How much more so for those who uphold, read, recite, study, and practice as it is taught. Why is this so? World-Honored One! The bodhisattvas should seek sarvajñatā (all-knowing wisdom) in the Prajñāpāramitā. World-Honored One! It is like seeking great treasures in the great ocean. World-Honored One! The great treasure of the Buddhas' sarvajñatā should be sought in the Prajñāpāramitā."

The Buddha said: "So it is, so it is! Kauśika! All Buddhas' sarvajñatā is born from the Prajñāpāramitā."

爾時阿難白佛言：「世尊！世尊不讚說檀波羅蜜名，不讚說尸羅波羅蜜、羼提波羅蜜、毘梨耶波羅蜜、禪波羅蜜名，何以故但讚說般若波羅蜜名？」

At that time, Ānanda said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! The World-Honored One has not praised the names of dāna pāramitā, śīla pāramitā, kṣānti pāramitā, vīrya pāramitā, and dhyāna pāramitā. Why do you only praise the name of prajñā pāramitā?"

佛告阿難：「般若波羅蜜導五波羅蜜。阿難！於意云何？若布施不迴向薩婆若，成檀波羅蜜不？」阿難言：「不也！世尊！」

The Buddha told Ānanda: "The Prajñāpāramitā guides the five pāramitās. Ānanda, what do you think? If one practices giving without transferring [the merit] to sarvajñatā, does it become the pāramitā of giving?" Ānanda said: "No, World-Honored One!"

「若持戒、忍辱、精進、禪定、智慧，不迴向薩婆若，成般若波羅蜜不？」阿難言：「不也！世尊！」

"If one practices morality, patience, determination, meditation, and wisdom without transferring [the merit] to sarvajñatā, does it become the prajñā pāramitā?"

Ānanda said: "No, World-Honored One!

「阿難！是故般若波羅蜜為五波羅蜜導。阿難！譬如大地種散其中，因緣和合即得生長，不依此地終不得生。阿難！如是五波羅蜜，住般若波羅蜜中而得增長，為般若波羅蜜所護故，得向薩婆若。是故，阿難！般若波羅蜜為五波羅蜜作導。」

"Ānanda! Therefore, the Prajñāpāramitā guides the five pāramitās. Ānanda! It is like seeds scattered on the earth; when conditions come together, they grow, but without depending on this earth, they could never grow. Ānanda! Similarly, the five pāramitās dwell within the Prajñāpāramitā and are able to increase. Because they are protected by the Prajñāpāramitā, they are able to move towards sarvajñatā (all-knowing wisdom). Therefore, Ānanda! The Prajñāpāramitā acts as a guide for the five pāramitās."

爾時釋提桓因白佛言：「世尊！是善男子、善女人，受持讀誦般若波羅蜜，如所說行，所得功德，如來說之猶亦未盡。」佛告憍尸迦：「我不但說是人受持讀誦般若波羅蜜，如所說行功德。憍尸迦！若有善男子、善女人，供養般若波羅蜜經卷，恭敬尊重讚歎，以好華香乃至幢幡，我亦說其所得功德。」

At that time, Śakra-devānāmindra said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! The merits obtained by good men and good women who uphold, read, and recite the Prajñāpāramitā, and practice as it is taught, have not been fully described by the Tathāgata."

The Buddha told Kauśika: "I do not only speak of the merits of those who uphold, read, and recite the Prajñāpāramitā, and practice as it is taught. Kauśika! If there are good men and good women who make offerings to the Prajñāpāramitā scripture, revere, honor, praise, and present fine flowers, incense, and even banners, I also speak of the merits they obtain."

釋提桓因白佛言：「世尊！我亦當護念是善男子、善女人，供養般若波羅蜜經卷，恭敬尊重讚歎，以好華香乃至幢幡者。」

Śakra-devānāmindra said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! I will also protect and remember those good men and good women who make offerings to the Prajñāpāramitā scripture, revere, honor, praise, and present fine flowers, incense, and even banners."

佛言：「憍尸迦！是善男子、善女人，受持讀誦般若波羅蜜。若干百千諸天大眾，為聽法故，來至其所。是法師為諸天說法時，非人益其氣力。若法師疲極，不樂說法，諸天恭敬法故，令其樂說。憍尸迦！是亦善男子、善女人得是現世功德。

The Buddha said: "Kauśika! These good men and good women uphold, read, and recite the Prajñāpāramitā. Hundreds of thousands of celestial beings come to their place to hear the Dharma. When these Dharma teachers expound the Dharma to the celestial beings, non-human beings increase their vitality. If the Dharma teachers become tired and do not wish to expound the Dharma, the celestial beings, out of respect for the Dharma, cause them to enjoy expounding it. Kauśika! This is also a worldly merit that these good men and good women obtain."

「復次，憍尸迦！是善男子、善女人，於四眾中說般若波羅蜜時，其心不畏有來難問及詰責者。何以故？是人為般若波羅蜜護念故，不見有人得般若波羅蜜短者，般若波羅蜜亦無短可得。是人如是為般若波羅蜜護念故，無畏有來難問詰責者。憍尸迦！是亦善男子、善女人現世功德。

Furthermore, Kauśika! When these good men and good women expound the Prajñāpāramitā among the four assemblies, their hearts are not afraid of those who come to question or criticize them. Why is this so? Because these people are protected by the Prajñāpāramitā, they do not see anyone who can find fault with the Prajñāpāramitā, and there is no fault to be found in the Prajñāpāramitā. Because these people are thus protected by the Prajñāpāramitā, they are not afraid of those who come to question or criticize them. Kauśika! This is also a worldly merit of these good men and good women.”

「復次，憍尸迦！是善男子、善女人，讀誦般若波羅蜜故，為父母所愛，為宗親、知識、沙門、婆羅門所敬，衰惱鬪訟，如法能度。憍尸迦！是亦善男子、善女人現世功德。

"Furthermore, Kauśika! These good men and good women, because they read and recite the Prajñāpāramitā, are loved by their parents and respected by their relatives, friends, śramaṇas, and brahmins. They can overcome decline, afflictions, and disputes in accordance with the Dharma. Kauśika! This is also a worldly merit of these good men and good women."

「復次，憍尸迦！般若波羅蜜經卷所住處，四天王天上諸天，發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心者，皆來至般若波羅蜜所，受持讀誦，供養作禮而去。忉利天、夜摩天、兜率陀天、化樂天、他化自在天上諸天，發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心者，皆來至般若波羅蜜所，受持讀誦，供養作禮而去。梵天、梵世天、梵輔天、梵眾天、大梵天、光天、少光天、無量光天、光音天、淨天、少淨天、無量淨天、遍淨天、無陰行天、福生天、廣果天、無廣天、無熱天、妙見天、善見天、無小天上諸天，發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心者，皆來至般若波羅蜜所，受持讀誦，供養作禮而去。憍尸迦。汝勿謂但有無小天為供養般若波羅蜜故來。三千大千世界中欲、色界諸天，發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心者，皆來至般若波羅蜜所，受持讀誦，供養作禮而去。善男子、善女人，應作是念：『十方無量阿僧祇國土中，所有諸天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽、人、非人，是等來至般若波羅蜜所，受持、讀誦、供養、作禮時，我當以般若波羅蜜法施。』善男子、善女人，般若波羅蜜經卷所住處，若殿堂、若房舍，無能毀壞，除先行業必應受者。憍尸迦！亦是善男子、善女人現世功德。」

"Furthermore, Kauśika! At the place where the Prajñāpāramitā scripture resides, the gods of the Four Heavenly Kings who have aroused the aspiration for anuttara-samyak-sambodhi all come to the Prajñāpāramitā, uphold, read, recite, make offerings, pay homage, and then leave. The gods of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, Yāma Heaven, Tuṣita Heaven, Nirmāṇarati Heaven, and Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven who have aroused the aspiration for anuttara-samyak-sambodhi all come to the Prajñāpāramitā, uphold, read, recite, make offerings, pay homage, and then leave.

The gods of the Brahma Heaven, Brahma-pāriṣadya Heaven, Brahma-purohita Heaven, Mahābrahma Heaven, Ābhāsvara Heaven, Parīttābha Heaven, Apramāṇābha Heaven, Ābhāsvara Heaven, Śubhakṛtsna Heaven, Parīttaśubha Heaven, Apramāṇaśubha Heaven, Śubhakṛtsna Heaven, Anabhraka Heaven, Puṇyaprasava Heaven, Bṛhatphala Heaven, Asaṃjñisattva Heaven, Avṛha Heaven, Atapa Heaven, Sudṛśa Heaven, Sudarśana Heaven, and Akaniṣṭha Heaven who have aroused the aspiration for anuttara-samyak-sambodhi all come to the Prajñāpāramitā, uphold, read, recite, make offerings, pay homage, and then leave.

Kauśika, do not think that only the gods of the Akaniṣṭha Heaven come to make offerings to the Prajñāpāramitā. All the gods of the desire realm and form realm in the three-thousand great thousand world systems who have aroused the aspiration for anuttara-samyak-sambodhi come to the Prajñāpāramitā, uphold, read, recite, make offerings, pay homage, and then leave.

Good men and good women should think thus: 'When the devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and non-humans from the immeasurable, incalculable lands in the ten directions come to the Prajñāpāramitā to uphold, read, recite, make offerings, and pay homage, I should give them the Dharma of the Prajñāpāramitā.'

Good men and good women, the place where the Prajñāpāramitā scripture resides, whether it be a palace hall or a dwelling, cannot be destroyed, except for those who must receive the results of their past karma. Kauśika! This is also a worldly merit of these good men and good women."

釋提桓因白佛言：「世尊！是善男子、善女人，云何知諸天來受持、讀誦、供養、禮敬般若波羅蜜時？」佛言：「憍尸迦！若善男子、善女人，見大光明，必知天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆等，來至其所。

Śakra-devānāmindra said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! How do these good men and good women know when the gods come to uphold, read, recite, make offerings, and pay homage to the Prajñāpāramitā?" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! If good men and good women see a great light, they should know that gods, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, and others have come to their place."

「復次，憍尸迦！善男子、善女人，若聞殊異之香，必知諸天來至其所。

"Furthermore, Kauśika! If good men and good women hear an extraordinary fragrance, they should know that the gods have come to their place."

「復次，憍尸迦！善男子、善女人，所住之處，應令淨潔；以淨潔故，非人皆大歡喜，來到其所。是中先住小鬼，不堪大力諸天威德故，皆悉避去；隨大力諸天數數來故，其心轉樂大法。是故所住處，四邊不應令有臭穢不淨。

"Furthermore, Kauśika! The place where good men and good women dwell should be kept clean and pure. Because of this cleanliness, non-human beings will be greatly delighted and come to that place. The small spirits who originally dwelled there, unable to withstand the majestic virtue of the powerful gods, will all depart. As the powerful gods come repeatedly, their minds will increasingly delight in the great Dharma. Therefore, the four sides of the dwelling place should not be allowed to have any foul odors or impurities."

[0545a08] 「復次，憍尸迦！善男子、善女人，身不疲極，臥起安隱，不見惡夢。若其夢時，但見諸佛、諸佛塔廟，阿羅漢眾、諸菩薩眾，修習六波羅蜜，學薩婆若，淨佛世界。又聞佛名，某甲佛於某方某國，與若干百千萬億眾，恭敬圍遶而為說法。憍尸迦！善男子、善女人，夢中所見如是，覺已安樂，氣力充足，身體輕便。是善男子、善女人，不貪飲食。譬如坐禪比丘，從三昧起，以學禪故，不貪飲食。何以故？憍尸迦！非人益其氣力故。善男子、善女人，欲得如是等現世功德，當受持讀誦般若波羅蜜，如所說行。憍尸迦！善男子、善女人若不能受持讀誦般若波羅蜜，如所說行，當書寫經卷，供養恭敬，尊重讚歎，以好華香、塗香、末香、燒香、雜香，衣服、幢幡、伎樂供養。」

"Furthermore, Kauśika! Good men and good women do not become physically exhausted, sleep and wake up peacefully, and do not see bad dreams. When they dream, they only see Buddhas, Buddha stupas, assemblies of Arhats, assemblies of Bodhisattvas, practicing the six pāramitās, learning sarvajñatā, and purifying Buddha lands. They also hear the names of Buddhas, such as a certain Buddha in a certain direction and country, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of millions of billions of beings, respectfully expounding the Dharma.

Kauśika! When good men and good women see such things in their dreams, upon waking they are at peace, full of energy, and their bodies feel light. These good men and good women do not crave food and drink. It is like a monk who practices meditation, who upon rising from samādhi, due to having practiced meditation, does not crave food and drink. Why is this so? Kauśika! It is because non-human beings increase their vitality.

Good men and good women who wish to obtain such worldly merits should uphold, read, and recite the Prajñāpāramitā, practicing as it is taught. Kauśika! If good men and good women are unable to uphold, read, and recite the Prajñāpāramitā, practicing as it is taught, they should write out the scripture, make offerings, revere, honor, praise, and present fine flowers, incense, perfumes, powdered incense, burning incense, mixed incense, clothing, banners, and music as offerings."⁠