第四分天主品第二十三
Chapter 23: Lord of the Devas
爾時，天帝釋白佛言：「世尊！如是般若波羅蜜多最為甚深難見難覺。」
At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha, “World‑Honored One, this Prajñā‑pāramitā is supremely profound, hard to see, and hard to comprehend.”
爾時，佛告天帝釋言：「如是！如是！如汝所說。憍尸迦！如是般若波羅蜜多最為甚深，如是般若波羅蜜多難見難覺。憍尸迦！虛空甚深故，如是般若波羅蜜多最為甚深，虛空難見難覺故，如是般若波羅蜜多難見難覺。何以故？憍尸迦！如是般若波羅蜜多自性遠離都無所有，如虛空故。」
The Buddha said to Śakra, “So it is, so it is, just as you have said, Kauśika. This Prajñā‑pāramitā is supremely profound; this Prajñā‑pāramitā is hard to see and hard to comprehend. Kauśika, because space is exceedingly profound, this Prajñā‑pāramitā is supremely profound; and because space is hard to see and hard to comprehend, this Prajñā‑pāramitā is hard to see and hard to comprehend. Why is that? Kauśika, because the very nature of this Prajñā‑pāramitā is remote and entirely without anything at all, like space.”
時，天帝釋復白佛言：「非少善根諸有情類，能於如是甚深難見難覺般若波羅蜜多，至心聽聞、受持、讀誦、精勤修學、如理思惟、廣為有情分別解說。」
Then Śakra again said to the Buddha, “It is not with few roots of goodness that beings are able, with utmost sincerity, to hear, receive and uphold, read and recite, diligently cultivate, contemplate in accordance with right principle, and broadly explain to beings this Prajñā‑pāramitā that is so profound, hard to see, and hard to comprehend.”
爾時，佛告天帝釋言：「如是！如是！如汝所說。憍尸迦！非少善根諸有情類，能於如是甚深難見難覺般若波羅蜜多，至心聽聞、受持、讀誦、精勤修學、如理思惟、廣為有情分別解說，或能書寫廣令流布，是諸有情功德無量。
The Buddha said to Śakra, “So it is, so it is, just as you have said, Kauśika. It is not with few roots of goodness that beings are able, with utmost sincerity, to hear, receive and uphold, read and recite, diligently cultivate, contemplate in accordance with right principle, and broadly explain to beings this Prajñā‑pāramitā that is so profound, hard to see, and hard to comprehend, or to write it out and widely circulate it. The merit of such beings is immeasurable.
「憍尸迦！假使於此贍部洲中，一切有情悉皆成就十善業道。於意云何？是諸有情功德多不？」
“Kauśika, suppose that here in Jambudvīpa all beings without exception fully accomplished the ten wholesome courses of action. What do you think: would the merit of those beings be great?”
天帝釋曰：「甚多！世尊！甚多！善逝！」
Śakra said, “Very great, World‑Honored One! Very great, Well‑Gone One!”
佛言：「憍尸迦！有善男子、善女人等，於此般若波羅蜜多甚深經典，至心聽聞、受持、讀誦、精勤修學、如理思惟、廣為有情分別解說，或能書寫廣令流布，是善男子、善女人等所獲福聚於前功德，百倍為勝，千倍為勝，乃至鄔波尼殺曇倍亦復為勝。」
The Buddha said, “Kauśika, if there are good men and good women who, with regard to this profound scripture of the Prajñā‑pāramitā, with utmost sincerity hear, receive and uphold, read and recite, diligently cultivate, contemplate in accordance with right principle, and broadly explain it to beings, or write it out and widely circulate it, then the mass of merit they obtain surpasses the former merit a hundredfold, a thousandfold—indeed, even by an upaniṣad‑fold it is still superior.”
爾時，會中有一苾芻告天帝釋：「憍尸迦！若善男子、善女人等，於此般若波羅蜜多甚深經典，至心聽聞、受持、讀誦、精勤修學、如理思惟、廣為有情分別解說，或復書寫廣令流布，是善男子、善女人等所獲福聚勝於仁者。」
At that time, a bhikṣu in the assembly said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas, “Kauśika, if good men and good women, with respect to this profound scripture of the Prajñā‑pāramitā, hear it with utmost sincerity, receive and uphold it, read and recite it, diligently cultivate it, contemplate it in accordance with right principle, and extensively explain it to beings, or else write it out and widely disseminate it, then the mass of merit they obtain surpasses yours.”
天帝釋言：「是善男子、善女人等初一發心尚勝於我，況於般若波羅蜜多甚深經典，至心聽聞、受持、讀誦、精勤修學、如理思惟、廣為有情分別解說，或復書寫廣令流布！
Śakra said, “The very first arousing of the thought by such good men and good women already surpasses me; how much more so when, with respect to this profound scripture of the Prajñā‑pāramitā, they hear it with utmost sincerity, receive and uphold it, read and recite it, diligently cultivate it, contemplate it in accordance with right principle, extensively explain it to beings, or write it out and widely disseminate it!
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩所獲福聚，亦勝一切世間天、人、阿素洛等所有功德。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! The accumulation of merit obtained by those bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas also surpasses all the virtues possessed by the gods, humans, and asuras of the world.
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩所獲福聚，非唯普勝世間天、人、阿素洛等所有功德，亦勝一切預流、一來、不還、阿羅漢、獨覺所有功德。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! The accumulation of merit obtained by those bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas not only universally surpasses the virtues of the gods, humans, and asuras of the world, it also surpasses all the virtues of stream‑enterers, once‑returners, non‑returners, arhats, and pratyekabuddhas.
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩所獲福聚，非唯普勝一切預流、一來、不還、阿羅漢、獨覺所有功德，亦勝一切菩薩摩訶薩遠離般若波羅蜜多方便善巧，為大施主修行布施。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! The accumulation of merit obtained by those bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas not only surpasses all the virtues of stream‑enterers, once‑returners, non‑returners, arhats, and pratyekabuddhas; it also surpasses that of all bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas who, being apart from the skillful means of the Prajñā‑pāramitā, practice giving as great donors.
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩所獲福聚，亦勝一切菩薩摩訶薩遠離般若波羅蜜多方便善巧，常所修學清淨尸羅、無缺尸羅、無隙尸羅、無雜尸羅、無穢尸羅、圓滿戒蘊。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! The accumulation of merit obtained by those bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas also surpasses that of all bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas who, apart from the skillful means of the Prajñā‑pāramitā, constantly train in pure śīla: unbroken śīla, without gaps, without fissures, unmixed, undefiled, a consummate aggregate of precepts.
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩所獲福聚，亦勝一切菩薩摩訶薩遠離般若波羅蜜多方便善巧，常所修學圓滿安忍，圓滿寂靜、無瞋無恨乃至燋木亦無害心究竟安忍。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! The accumulation of merit obtained by those bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas also surpasses that of all bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas who, apart from the skillful means of the Prajñā‑pāramitā, constantly train in perfected patience: perfected calm, without anger or hatred, to the point that even when like scorched wood they harbor no intent to harm, ultimate patience.
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩所獲福聚，亦勝一切菩薩摩訶薩遠離般若波羅蜜多方便善巧，常所修學勇猛精進，不捨善軛、無怠無下，身、語、意業圓滿精進。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! The accumulation of merit obtained by those bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas also surpasses that of all bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas who, apart from the skillful means of the Prajñā‑pāramitā, constantly train in vigorous exertion: not abandoning the good yoke, without sloth or laxity, with body, speech, and mind karma perfectly diligent.
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩所獲福聚，亦勝一切菩薩摩訶薩遠離般若波羅蜜多方便善巧，常所修學可愛靜慮、可樂靜慮、勇健靜慮、安住靜慮、自在靜慮、圓滿靜慮。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! The accumulation of merit obtained by those bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas also surpasses that of all bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas who, apart from the skillful means of the Prajñā‑pāramitā, constantly train in agreeable concentration: delightful concentration, valiant concentration, well‑abiding concentration, autonomous concentration, consummate concentration.
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩所獲福聚，亦勝一切菩薩摩訶薩遠離般若波羅蜜多方便善巧，常所修學諸餘善根。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! The accumulation of merit obtained by those bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas also surpasses that of all bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas who, apart from the skillful means of the Prajñā‑pāramitā, constantly cultivate the other wholesome roots.”
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩如說修行甚深般若波羅蜜多，有方便善巧故，皆勝一切世間天、人、阿素洛等，亦勝一切聲聞、獨覺，亦勝一切遠離般若波羅蜜多方便善巧諸菩薩眾。所以者何？是菩薩摩訶薩如說修行甚深般若波羅蜜多，於深般若波羅蜜多究竟隨轉。是菩薩摩訶薩能紹一切智智種性令不斷絕，常不遠離諸佛、菩薩、真淨善友。是菩薩摩訶薩如是修行殊勝淨行，常不遠離妙菩提座，降伏眾魔制諸外道。是菩薩摩訶薩如是學時方便善巧，常能濟拔溺煩惱泥諸有情類。是菩薩摩訶薩如是學時方便善巧，常學菩薩摩訶薩眾所應學法，不學聲聞、獨覺乘等所應學法。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! When bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas practice the profound Prajñā‑pāramitā as taught, because they possess skillful means, they surpass all the virtues of the gods, humans, and asuras of the world; they also surpass all śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas; and they surpass all assemblies of bodhisattvas who are apart from the skillful means of the Prajñā‑pāramitā. Why is this? Because these bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas, practicing the profound Prajñā‑pāramitā as taught, follow it to ultimate accord. These bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas are able to continue the lineage of the knowledge of all aspects without letting it be cut off, and they never stray from Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and true, pure good friends. Practicing thus in this sublime and pure conduct, they never stray from the wondrous seat of enlightenment; they subdue the hosts of Māras and restrain the heterodox paths. While they are studying in this way, through skillful means they constantly rescue beings who are sinking in the mud of afflictions. While they are studying in this way, through skillful means they constantly study the dharmas that bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas ought to learn, and do not study the dharmas that belong to the śrāvaka and pratyekabuddha vehicles.
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩於深般若波羅蜜多如是學時，諸天神眾皆大歡喜，護世四王各領天眾來至其所，供養恭敬、尊重讚歎，咸作是言：『善哉！大士！當勤精進學諸菩薩摩訶薩眾所應學法，勿學聲聞、獨覺乘等所應學法，若如是學疾當安坐妙菩提座，速證無上正等菩提。如先如來、應、正等覺受四天王所奉四鉢，汝亦當受；如昔護世四大天王奉上四鉢，我亦當奉。』
“Bhikṣu, you should know! When bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas study the profound Prajñā‑pāramitā in this way, the hosts of devas are all greatly delighted. The Four Great Kings, protectors of the world, each lead their celestial retinues to that place to make offerings, pay homage, respect, and praise, all saying: ‘Excellent, great being! You should diligently strive to learn the dharmas that bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas ought to learn; do not learn the dharmas of the śrāvaka and pratyekabuddha vehicles. If you study like this, you will quickly take your seat upon the wondrous seat of enlightenment and swiftly realize unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Just as the Tathāgatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past received the four bowls offered by the Four Great Kings, so too should you receive them; just as the Four Great Kings formerly presented the four bowls, so will I also present them.’
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩如是學時，我等天帝尚領天眾來至其所，供養恭敬、尊重讚歎，況餘天神不詣其所！
“Bhikṣu, you should know! When bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas study in this way, even we, the Lord of the Devas, lead the celestial hosts to that place to make offerings, pay homage, respect, and praise—how much more so would other gods come there!
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩如是學時，一切如來、應、正等覺及諸菩薩摩訶薩眾，并諸天、龍、阿素洛等，常隨護念。由此因緣，是菩薩摩訶薩一切世間險難、危厄、身心憂苦皆不侵害，世間所有四大相違種種疾病皆於身中永無所有，唯除重業轉現輕受。
“Bhikṣu, you should know! When bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas study in this way, all the Tathāgatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones and the assemblies of bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas, together with the devas, nāgas, and asuras, constantly protect and keep them in mind. Because of this, none of the world’s perils, dangers, or physical and mental sufferings can harm those bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas; the various illnesses stemming from disharmony of the four great elements never occur in their bodies—except that grave karmic deeds may be transformed and experienced lightly.
「苾芻當知！是菩薩摩訶薩如說修行甚深般若波羅蜜多方便善巧，獲如是等現世功德、後世功德無量無邊。」
“Bhikṣu, you should know! When bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas practice the profound Prajñā‑pāramitā with skillful means as taught, they obtain such immeasurable and boundless merits both in this life and in future lives.”
時，阿難陀竊作是念：「天主帝釋為自辯才讚說如是甚深般若波羅蜜多及諸菩薩功德勝利，為是如來威神之力？」
At that time, Ānanda privately thought, “Is it through his own eloquence that Śakra, Lord of the Devas, has praised in this way the profound Prajñā‑pāramitā and the superior virtues of the bodhisattvas, or is it through the Tathāgata’s majestic power?”
時，天帝釋承佛威神，知阿難陀心之所念，白言：「大德！我所讚說甚深般若波羅蜜多及諸菩薩功德勝利，皆是如來威神之力。」
Then Śakra, empowered by the Buddha, knowing what was in Ānanda’s mind, said, “Venerable One, the praises I have spoken regarding the profound Prajñā‑pāramitā and the superior virtues of the bodhisattvas are all due to the Tathāgata’s majestic power.”
爾時，佛告阿難陀言：「如是！如是！今天帝釋讚說如是甚深般若波羅蜜多及諸菩薩功德勝利，當知皆是如來神力非自辯才。所以者何？甚深般若波羅蜜多及諸菩薩摩訶薩眾功德勝利，定非一切世間天、人、阿素洛等所能讚說。」
Then the Buddha told Ānanda, “So it is, so it is. Today Śakra’s praise of the profound Prajñā‑pāramitā and the bodhisattvas’ superior virtues should be known as entirely the Buddha’s spiritual power and not his own eloquence. Why is this? Because the profound Prajñā‑pāramitā and the bodhisattva‑mahāsattvas’ superior virtues are certainly not something that the gods, humans, or asuras of the world are able to extol.”