小品般若波羅蜜經卷第三
後秦龜茲國三藏鳩摩羅什譯
佐助品第六
佛告釋提桓因言：「憍尸迦！若有善男子、善女人，教閻浮提人令行十善道。於意云何？是人以是因緣，得福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與他人令得書寫讀誦，其福甚多。
The Buddha said to Śakra-devānāmindra, "Kauśika! If there are good men and good women who teach the people of Jambudvīpa to practice the ten good deeds, what do you think? Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to others, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it. Their merit is far greater."
「憍尸迦！置是閻浮提眾生，若復有人教四天下眾生，令行十善道。置是四天下，若周梨迦小千世界、若二千中世界、若三千大千世界眾生，若教十方如恒河沙等世界眾生，令行十善道。於意云何？是人以是因緣，故得福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與他人令得書寫讀誦，其福甚多。
"Kauśika! Setting aside the beings of Jambudvīpa, if there were someone who taught the beings of the four continents to practice the ten good deeds. Setting aside these four continents, if they taught the beings of a small chiliocosm, or a medium dichiliocosm, or a great trichiliocosm, or even taught the beings of worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions to practice the ten good deeds. What do you think? Would this person, by these causes and conditions, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to others, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it. Their merit is far greater."
「復次，憍尸迦！若有善男子、善女人，教閻浮提眾生，令行四禪、四無量心、四無色定、五神通。是人以是因緣，得福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與他人令得書寫讀誦，其福甚多。
"Furthermore, Kauśika! If there are good men and good women who teach the beings of Jambudvīpa to practice the four dhyānas, the four immeasurables, the four formless absorptions, and the five supernatural powers. Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra to others, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it. Their merit is far greater."
「憍尸迦！置是閻浮提，及三千大千世界眾生，乃至教十方如恒河沙等世界眾生，令行四禪、四無量心、四無色定、五神通。於意云何？是人以是因緣，得福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與他人令得書寫讀誦，其福甚多。
"Kauśika! Setting aside the beings of Jambudvīpa and the beings of the three thousand great thousand world-system, up to teaching beings in worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River in the ten directions to practice the four dhyānas, the four immeasurables, the four formless absorptions, and the five supernatural powers. What do you think? Would this person, by these causes and conditions, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to others, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it. Their merit is far greater."
「復次，憍尸迦！若有善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與他人令得書寫讀誦；不如善男子、善女人，自為他人讀誦，其福甚多。復次，憍尸迦！若善男子、善女人，自為他人讀誦般若波羅蜜；不如善男子、善女人，自為他人解說其義，其福甚多。」
Furthermore, Kauśika! If good men and good women give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to others, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it; it is not as meritorious as good men and good women who themselves read and recite it for others, their merit is far greater. Furthermore, Kauśika! If good men and good women themselves read and recite the Prajñāpāramitā for others; it is not as meritorious as good men and good women who themselves explain its meaning to others, their merit is far greater.
是時釋提桓因白佛言：「世尊！應為何等人解說般若波羅蜜義？」佛言：「憍尸迦！若有善男子、善女人，不知般若波羅蜜義故，應為解說其義。何以故？憍尸迦！未來世，當有相似般若波羅蜜。善男子、善女人，於是中欲得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，聞是相似般若波羅蜜，則有違錯。」
At that time, Śakra-devānāmindra said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! For whom should one explain the meaning of the Prajñāpāramitā?"
The Buddha said: "Kauśika! If there are good men and good women who do not understand the meaning of the Prajñāpāramitā, one should explain its meaning to them. Why? Kauśika! In the future, there will be something resembling the Prajñāpāramitā. Good men and good women who wish to attain anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi, upon hearing this resemblance of the Prajñāpāramitā, will have errors and deviations."
釋提桓因言：「世尊！何等是相似般若波羅蜜？」「憍尸迦！當來世有比丘，欲說般若波羅蜜，而說相似般若波羅蜜。」「世尊！云何諸比丘說相似般若波羅蜜？」
Śakra-devānāmindra said: "World-Honored One! What is this resemblance of the Prajñāpāramitā?"
"Kauśika! In the future world, there will be bhikṣus who wish to teach the Prajñāpāramitā, but will instead teach something resembling the Prajñāpāramitā."
"World-Honored One! How do these bhikṣus teach something resembling the Prajñāpāramitā?"
佛言：「諸比丘說言：『色是無常，若如是求，是為行般若波羅蜜；受、想、行、識是無常，若如是求，是為行般若波羅蜜。』憍尸迦！是名說相似般若波羅蜜。憍尸迦！不壞色故，觀色無常；不壞受、想、行、識故，觀識無常。不作如是觀者，是名行相似般若波羅蜜。憍尸迦！以是因緣故，菩薩說般若波羅蜜義，其福甚多。
The Buddha said: "The bhikṣus say, 'Form is impermanent. If one seeks thus, this is practicing the Prajñāpāramitā. Sensation, perception, conditioning, and consciousness are impermanent. If one seeks thus, this is practicing the Prajñāpāramitā.' Kauśika! This is called teaching a resemblance of Prajñāpāramitā.
Kauśika! Without destroying form, one observes form as impermanent; without destroying sensation, perception, conditioning, and consciousness, one observes consciousness as impermanent. One who does not observe in this way is practicing a resemblance of Prajñāpāramitā.
Kauśika! For this reason, when a bodhisattva explains the meaning of Prajñāpāramitā, their merit is extremely great."
「復次，憍尸迦！若有善男子、善女人，教閻浮提眾生，令得須陀洹果。於意云何？是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與他人令得書寫讀誦，作是言：『汝當得是應般若波羅蜜功德。』其福甚多。何以故？須陀洹果從般若波羅蜜出故。
"Furthermore, Kauśika! If there are good men and good women who teach the beings of Jambudvīpa to attain the fruit of a srotāpanna (’stream-entry’). What do you think? Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to others, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it, saying: 'You should obtain the merits of the Prajñāpāramitā.' Their merit is far greater. Why? Because the fruit of stream-entry arises from the Prajñāpāramitā."
「憍尸迦！置是閻浮提，及三千大千世界，乃至教十方如恒河沙等世界眾生，令得須陀洹果。於意云何？是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與他人令得書寫讀誦，作是言：『汝當得是應般若波羅蜜功德。』其福甚多。何以故？須陀洹果從般若波羅蜜出故。
"Kauśika! Setting aside Jambudvīpa and the three thousand great thousand world-system, up to teaching beings in worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges Rivers in the ten directions to attain the fruit of stream-entry. What do you think? Would this person, by these causes and conditions, gain much merit?"
Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!"
The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra to others, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it, saying: 'You should obtain the merits of the Prajñāpāramitā.' Their merit is far greater. Why? Because the fruit of stream-entry arises from the Prajñāpāramitā."
「復次，憍尸迦！若有善男子、善女人，教閻浮提眾生，令得斯陀含果、阿那含果、阿羅漢果、辟支佛道。於意云何？是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與他人令得書寫讀誦，作是言：『汝當得是應般若波羅蜜功德。』其福甚多。何以故？汝隨學是法，當得薩婆若法；隨得薩婆若法，當隨得斯陀含果、阿那含果、阿羅漢果、辟支佛道。
"Furthermore, Kauśika! If there are good men and good women who teach the beings of Jambudvīpa to attain the fruits of a sakradāgāmin (’once-returner’), anāgāmin (’non-returner’), arhats, and the path of pratyekabuddha. What do you think? Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?"
Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!"
The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to others, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it, saying: 'You should obtain the merits of the Prajñāpāramitā.' Their merit is far greater. Why? By following and studying this teaching, you will attain the dharma of sarvajñā; and by attaining the dharma of sarvajñā, you will consequently attain the fruits of once-returner, non-returner, arhatship, and the path of pratyekabuddha."
「憍尸迦！置是閻浮提，及三千大千世界眾生，乃至教十方如恒河沙等世界眾生，令得斯陀含果、阿那含果、阿羅漢果、辟支佛道。於意云何？是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與他人令得書寫讀誦，作是言：『汝當得是應般若波羅蜜功德。』其福甚多。何以故？汝隨學是法，當得薩婆若法；隨得薩婆若法，當隨得斯陀含果、阿那含果、阿羅漢果、辟支佛道。
"Kauśika! Setting aside Jambudvīpa and the beings of the three thousand great thousand world-system, up to teaching beings in worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges Rivers in the ten directions to attain the fruits of once-returner, non-returner, arhatship, and the path of pratyekabuddha. What do you think? Would this person, by these causes and conditions, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to others, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it, saying: 'You should obtain the merits of the Prajñāpāramitā.' Their merit is far greater. Why? By following and studying this teaching, you will attain the dharma of sarvajñā; and by attaining the dharma of sarvajñā, you will consequently attain the fruits of once-returner, non-returner, arhatship, and the path of pratyekabuddha."
「復次，憍尸迦！若滿閻浮提眾生，皆發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。若有善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與之令得書寫讀誦。是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與一阿毘跋致菩薩，作是念：『是菩薩於是中學，當能修習般若波羅蜜。』以是因緣，般若波羅蜜增廣流布，福多於彼。
"Furthermore, Kauśika! If all the beings in Jambudvīpa were to generate the aspiration for anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi, and if there were good men and good women who gave them the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it. Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?"
Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!"
The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra to a single avaivartika (’irreversible’) bodhisattva, thinking: 'This bodhisattva, by studying this, will be able to cultivate Prajñāpāramitā.' For this reason, Prajñāpāramitā will be more widely spread and circulated, and the merit will be greater than the former."
「憍尸迦！置是閻浮提及三千大千世界眾生，乃至十方如恒河沙等世界眾生，皆發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。若有善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與之令得書寫讀誦。於意云何？是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與一阿毘跋致菩薩，作是念：『是菩薩於是中學，當能修習般若波羅蜜。』以是因緣，般若波羅蜜增廣流布，福多於彼。
"Kauśika! Setting aside the beings of Jambudvīpa and the three thousand great thousand world-system, up to beings in worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, all generating the aspiration for anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi. If there were good men and good women who gave them the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra, enabling them to copy, read, and recite it. What do you think? Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?"
Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!"
The Buddha said: "It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to a single avaivartika bodhisattva, thinking: 'This bodhisattva, by studying this, will be able to cultivate the Prajñāpāramitā.' For this reason, the Prajñāpāramitā will be more widely spread and circulated, and the merit will be greater than the former."
「復次，憍尸迦！閻浮提所有眾生，皆發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。若有善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷與之，為解其義。於意云何？是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與一阿毘跋致菩薩，為解其義，福多於彼。
"Furthermore, Kauśika! If all the beings in Jambudvīpa were to generate the aspiration for anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi, and if there were good men and good women who gave them the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra and explained its meaning to them. What do you think? Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to a single avaivartika bodhisattva and explain its meaning to them. Their merit is far greater than the former."
「憍尸迦！置是閻浮提及三千大千世界眾生，乃至教十方如恒河沙等世界眾生，皆發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。若有善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷與之，為解其義。於意云何？是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「不如善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜經卷，與一阿毘跋致菩薩，為解其義，福多於彼。
"Kauśika! Setting aside the beings of Jambudvīpa and the three thousand great thousand world-system, up to beings in worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, all generating anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi citta. If there were good men and good women who gave them the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra and explained its meaning to them. What do you think? Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "It is not as meritorious as good men and good women who give the Prajñāpāramitā sūtra to a single avaivartika bodhisattva and explain its meaning to them. Their merit is far greater than the former."
「復次，憍尸迦！閻浮提所有眾生，皆是阿毘跋致菩薩。若有善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜義教之。於意云何？是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！於是中有一菩薩，疾得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。若有人以般若波羅蜜義教之，福多於彼。
"Furthermore, Kauśika! If all the beings in Jambudvīpa were avaivartika bodhisattvas, and if there were good men and good women who taught them the meaning of Prajñāpāramitā. What do you think? Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! If among them there is one bodhisattva who quickly attains anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi, and if someone teaches them the meaning of Prajñāpāramitā, their merit would be greater than the former.”
「憍尸迦！置是閻浮提及三千大千世界眾生，乃至十方如恒河沙等世界眾生，皆是阿毘跋致菩薩。若有善男子、善女人，以般若波羅蜜義教之。於意云何？是人以是因緣，其福多不？」釋提桓因言：「甚多，世尊！」佛言：「憍尸迦！於是中有一菩薩，疾得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。若有人以般若波羅蜜義教之，福多於彼。」
"Kauśika! Setting aside the beings of Jambudvīpa and the three thousand great thousand world-system, up to beings in worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, all being avaivartika bodhisattvas. If there were good men and good women who taught them the meaning of Prajñāpāramitā. What do you think? Would these people, by this cause and condition, gain much merit?" Śakra-devānāmindra said: "A great deal, World-Honored One!" The Buddha said: "Kauśika! If among them there is one bodhisattva who quickly attains anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi, and if someone teaches them the meaning of Prajñāpāramitā, their merit would be greater than the former."
爾時釋提桓因白佛言：「如是，如是！世尊！隨菩薩近阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，轉應以般若波羅蜜義教之，亦轉應以衣服、飲食、臥具、醫藥而供養之，其福甚多。何以故？世尊！法應爾，隨近阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，得福轉多。」
At that time, Śakra-devānāmindra said to the Buddha: "So it is, so it is! World-Honored One! As bodhisattvas draw near to anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi, one should increasingly teach them the meaning of Prajñāpāramitā, and also increasingly make offerings to them of clothing, food, bedding, and medicine. The merit of this is extremely great. Why? World-Honored One! It is in accordance with the Dharma that as one draws near to anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi, the merit obtained increases."
爾時須菩提讚釋提桓因言：「善哉，善哉！憍尸迦！汝是聖弟子，法應佐助諸菩薩，以阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，安慰護念。若佛初發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心時，過去諸佛及諸弟子，若不以六波羅蜜安慰佐助者，不能得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。憍尸迦！佛初發意時，過去諸佛及諸弟子，以六波羅蜜應安慰佐助故，得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。」
At that time, Subhūti praised Śakra-devānāmindra, saying: "Excellent, excellent! Kauśika! You are a noble disciple, and it is in accordance with the Dharma that you should assist the bodhisattvas, comforting and protecting them with anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi. When the Buddha first generated the aspiration for anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi, if the past Buddhas and their disciples had not comforted and assisted him with the six pāramitās, he would not have been able to attain anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi. Kauśika! When the Buddha first generated the aspiration, it was because the past Buddhas and their disciples comforted and assisted him with the six pāramitās that he was able to attain anuttarā samyak saṃbodhi."