夜摩天授記品第十五
Chapter Fifteen: The Devas of the Yāma Heaven Prediction of Enlightenment
爾時復有四億夜摩天眾，見阿修羅、伽樓羅、龍女、龍王、鳩槃茶、乾闥婆、夜叉、緊那羅、虛空行天、四天王天、忉利天等，供養如來并聞授記，皆大欣喜踊躍無量。爾時夜摩天眾知佛如來以無礙智授彼記已，即於佛法起信樂心。起信樂已即作是念：「如是佛法甚奇微妙。若證佛法者，無有不知、無有不見、無不簡擇、無有不證，於已生、未生、現生，或已滅、當滅、現滅，若業及報，皆如實知。甚奇如來能知世諦及第一義，善知此二更無有餘。彼佛世尊於其空法善能知見、善知簡擇、善證相應，故名薩波若。何謂世諦？一切世俗生死所行，於此諸法悉能曉知。第一義者，無有言說、無有知者、非心所行。以無知故，無能說者、無顯示者、無開說者、無有聞者。以無說故，亦無知者。無生無示，無有見者。無有施設、無有取著、無有覺知、無有能到亦無所到、無能親近、無能惻量、無有建立、無有棄捨、無有所作亦無能作、無譽無毀無利無衰無稱無譏無苦無樂。非色非非色、非數非非數、非明非非明、非有煩惱非離煩惱、非世間非涅槃、非覺非觀、非進非退、無動無作。無有戲論，過諸戲論。所說色相不可得，受想行識亦不可得。眼相不可得，耳鼻舌身意諸相亦復如是。色相不可得，聲香味觸法相不可得。眼識相不可得，耳鼻舌身意識亦不可得。眼觸相不可得，耳鼻舌身及意觸相亦復如是。眼觸生受亦不可得，耳鼻舌身意觸生受亦復如是。色思覺相亦不可得，乃至法思覺相亦復如是。意相不可得，空相不可得，地界水界火界風界識界亦不可得。欲界相不可得，色界相不可得，無色界相不可得。有為相不可得，無為相不可得。如是等若彼彼法言說無能說者，如是如是法名不可說法也。佛法最勝，無聞愚癡凡夫眾生不能知故。聞已驚怖，彼於佛法心生怖畏，於一切智智便即退失。諸天世人應當憐愍，如此眾生常處生死恒為苦切。」
At that time, there were also four hundred million devas from the Yama Heaven. They saw the asuras, garudas, naga maidens, naga kings, kumbhandas, gandharvas, yakshas, kinnaras, space-dwelling devas, Four Heavenly Kings, and devas of the Thirty-Three Heavens making offerings to the Tathagata and hearing predictions. They all became immensely joyful and exuberant.
Then, the devas of the Yama Heaven, knowing that the Buddha Tathagata had given predictions with his unobstructed wisdom, developed faith and delight in the Buddha's Dharma. Having developed this faith and delight, they thought: "This Buddha Dharma is truly wondrous and profound. One who realizes the Buddha Dharma knows all, sees all, discerns all, and realizes all. Whether concerning past, future, or present births, or past, future, or present cessations, or karma and its results, they know all as it truly is. How marvelous that the Tathagata knows both conventional truth and ultimate truth, understanding these two completely without remainder.
The Buddha World-Honored One thoroughly sees, knows, discerns, and realizes the emptiness of phenomena, and is thus called omniscient. What is conventional truth? It is all the practices of worldly birth and death, which he fully comprehends. The ultimate truth is beyond words, beyond knowers, beyond the realm of mind. Because there is no knowing, there is no speaker, no revealer, no expounder, and no listener. Because there is no speaking, there is also no knower. There is no arising, no demonstration, and no seer. There is no establishment, no grasping, no awareness, no ability to reach or destination, no ability to approach, no ability to measure, no establishment, no abandonment, no action and no actor, no praise or blame, no gain or loss, no fame or infamy, no suffering or pleasure.
It is neither form nor non-form, neither enumerable nor non-enumerable, neither illumination nor non-illumination, neither with afflictions nor free from afflictions, neither worldly nor nirvana, neither observation nor non-observation, neither progress nor regress, without movement or action. It is beyond conceptual elaboration, transcending all conceptual elaboration. The characteristics of form cannot be grasped; feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness also cannot be grasped. The characteristics of the eye cannot be grasped; the characteristics of the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind are also like this. The characteristics of form cannot be grasped; the characteristics of sound, smell, taste, touch, and mental objects cannot be grasped. The characteristics of eye-consciousness cannot be grasped; ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind-consciousness also cannot be grasped. The characteristics of eye-contact cannot be grasped; ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind-contact are also like this. The sensations arising from eye-contact cannot be grasped; the sensations arising from ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind-contact are also like this. The characteristics of mental formations related to form cannot be grasped, up to the characteristics of mental formations related to mental objects, which also cannot be grasped. The characteristics of mind cannot be grasped, the characteristics of space cannot be grasped, and the earth, water, fire, wind, and consciousness elements also cannot be grasped. The characteristics of the desire realm cannot be grasped, the characteristics of the form realm cannot be grasped, and the characteristics of the formless realm cannot be grasped. The characteristics of the conditioned cannot be grasped, and the characteristics of the unconditioned cannot be grasped.
Thus, if there is no one who can speak of these various phenomena, such phenomena are called inexpressible phenomena. The Buddha's Dharma is supreme, but ignorant ordinary beings who have not heard it cannot understand it. Upon hearing it, they become frightened and fearful of the Buddha's Dharma, retreating from the wisdom of omniscience. Devas and humans should have compassion for such beings, who constantly dwell in the cycle of birth and death, always afflicted by suffering."
爾時夜摩天觀諸世間煩惱眾生已，為得佛法故、為供養如來故，起勇猛心，所設供具過忉利天，而供養佛。供養佛已頂禮佛足，右遶三匝，却住一面。爾時夜摩天即以偈頌而歎佛言：
At that time, the devas of the Yāma Heaven, having observed the afflicted beings in the world, aroused a courageous mind to attain the Buddha's Dharma and to make offerings to the Tathāgata. They prepared offerings surpassing those of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven and presented them to the Buddha. After making the offerings, they bowed their heads to the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and stood to one side. Then, the devas of the Yāma Heaven praised the Buddha with these verses:
佛見諸陰皆空寂， 於其界入亦復然， 諸根聚積皆離相， 如來如實悉了知。
The Buddha sees all aggregates as empty and tranquil, The same applies to the realms and sense bases, All the accumulated faculties are devoid of characteristics, The Tathagata knows this as it truly is.
世間智者於實法， 不從他聞自然解， 所謂世諦及真諦， 離此更無第三法。
The wise ones in the world, regarding the true dharma, Understand naturally without hearing from others, Namely the conventional truth and the ultimate truth, Besides these two, there is no third dharma.
如來悲愍於一切， 為利世間說俗諦， 如來宣說於世間， 為諸眾生顯六趣。
The Tathagata, out of compassion for all, Expounds the conventional truth for the benefit of the world, The Tathagata proclaims to the world, Revealing the six realms of existence for all beings.
地獄畜生及餓鬼， 人天之道及修羅， 下劣之家及勝家， 所有貧家及富家，
Hell beings, animals, and hungry ghosts, The paths of humans, gods, and asuras, Lowly families and noble families, Poor households and wealthy households,
奴僕之屬及婢使， 男女等類及二根， 所有世間諸六道， 佛無比身悉已說。
Slaves, servants, and attendants, Males, females, and those of both genders, All the six realms of the world, The incomparable Buddha has explained them all.
觀於世諦諸法已， 佛為利世故宣說， 眾生樂著於生死， 不能離於世八法，
Having observed the conventional truths of all dharmas, The Buddha expounds them for the benefit of the world, Beings are attached to birth and death, Unable to depart from the eight worldly dharmas,
所謂利衰及毀譽， 所有稱譏及苦樂， 得利便即生欣喜， 失利心即生瞋惱，
Namely gain and loss, disgrace and honor, Praise and blame, pleasure and pain, When gaining, they become joyful, When losing, their hearts become angry and afflicted,
餘如所說應當知。 世間皆隨此八法， 於俗諦中說真者， 彼顛倒慧應當知。
The rest should be known as explained. The world follows these eight dharmas, Those who speak of truth within conventional truth, Should be known as having inverted wisdom.
不淨樂中說樂淨， 於無我中說為我， 無常法中說為常， 住此相中而取著。
Speaking of purity and pleasure in what is impure and painful, Speaking of self in what is non-self, Speaking of permanence in what is impermanent, Dwelling in these characteristics and becoming attached.
聞於如來所說教， 恐怖誹謗不信受， 誹謗如來實教已， 墜墮極苦地獄中，
Hearing the teachings spoken by the Tathagata, They become frightened, slander, and do not accept, Having slandered the Tathagata's true teachings, They fall into the most painful hell realms,
凡愚貪求世樂故， 轉受無邊百種苦。 若有於其佛法中， 如實觀察不顛倒，
Because foolish ordinary beings seek worldly pleasures, They undergo countless hundreds of sufferings in turn. If there are those who, within the Buddha's Dharma, Observe truly without inversion,
棄捨諸有入涅槃， 猶如蛇脫其故皮。 一切諸法體性無， 空無有相第一義，
Abandoning all existence to enter nirvana, Like a snake shedding its old skin. All dharmas are without inherent nature, Empty, without characteristics, this is the ultimate truth,
若聞此法生愛樂， 必得無上勝菩提。 如來如實說此法， 除斷天眾諸疑惑，
If one hears this teaching and develops joy and love for it, They will certainly attain the supreme bodhi. The Tathagata truly expounds this Dharma, Removing all doubts of the heavenly hosts,
悉發無上菩提心， 為度一切眾生故。 如此天眾發心已， 皆悉欣喜心清淨，
All give rise to the supreme bodhicitta, For the sake of liberating all sentient beings. These heavenly hosts, having given rise to this aspiration, All become joyful with purified minds,
得聞最勝佛法已， 此諸天眾皆成佛。」
Having heard the supreme Buddha Dharma, All these heavenly hosts will become Buddhas.
爾時世尊知彼四億夜摩天眾深心信樂，即便微笑。爾時馬勝即以偈頌問如來曰：
At that time, the World-Honored One, knowing that the four hundred million devas of the Yama Heaven had deep faith and delight, displayed a smile. Then Horse-Victory (Aśvajit) immediately asked the Tathagata in verse:
佛為世間故現笑， 一切時眾皆生疑。 唯願世尊說笑因， 令此眾會皆欣喜。
The Buddha smiles for the sake of the world, All the assembly at that time becomes doubtful. We only wish the World-Honored One would explain the reason for the smile, To make this assembly joyful.
聞於諸天授記已， 一切皆悉大踊躍， 有智慧者發勇猛， 於佛法中如說行。
Having heard the predictions given to the devas, All are greatly exultant, Those with wisdom become courageous, And practice in the Buddha's teachings as instructed.
此佛如來諸勝眾， 具足有佛功德器， 善哉宣說美妙言， 為攝如是大眾故。
These excellent assemblies of the Buddha Tathagata, Are fully endowed with the vessel of Buddha's merits, How wonderful it is to proclaim such beautiful words, In order to embrace such a great assembly.
聞佛功德心喜樂， 此諸大眾必當得， 聞於如來授記已， 如法當勤修精進。
Hearing of the Buddha's merits, their hearts are joyful and delighted, These great assemblies will surely attain them, Having heard the Tathagata's prediction, They should diligently practice according to the Dharma.
善哉人尊說中勝， 於疑惑眾二心者， 唯願世尊速為說， 時眾一心樂欲聞。
Excellent is the Supreme Person, best among speakers, For those in the assembly who are doubtful and of two minds, We only wish the World-Honored One would quickly explain, The assembly listens with one mind, eager to hear.
彼夜摩天授勝記， 願人師子速為說， 此諸大眾皆欣喜， 一切悉發菩提心。」
The excellent prediction given to the Yama devas, We wish the Lion of Men would quickly explain, All in this great assembly are joyful, And all give generate bodhicitta.
爾時世尊即以偈頌答馬勝曰：
At that time, the World-Honored One answered Aśvajit in verse, saying:
為利世間故現笑， 馬勝合時善諮問， 利益無量諸大眾， 聞佛如來功德故。
For the benefit of the world, I display a smile, Aśvajit, you ask well at the right time, Benefiting countless great assemblies, By hearing of the Tathāgata's merits.
樂著貪瞋諸眾生， 於佛功德無樂惠， 其心愚癡所惑亂， 當沒生死大海中。
Beings attached to greed and anger, Have no delight in the Buddha's merits, Their minds confused by ignorance, Will sink into the great sea of birth and death.
若於佛法深信樂， 曾於先佛已請問， 與大悲心相應者， 是人能得佛功德。
Those with deep faith and joy in the Buddha's Dharma, Who have asked questions of previous Buddhas, And are in accord with great compassion, These people can attain the Buddha's merits.
若人見彼衰惱逼， 勝人於彼起悲心， 彼諸眾生聞佛德， 頂受佛教如花鬘。
When one sees others oppressed by decline and affliction, Superior beings generate compassion for them, Those beings who hear of the Buddha's virtues, Accept the Buddha's teachings like a flower garland.
我諸眾會大清淨， 於先佛所曾修福， 彼於如來功德所， 頂受猶如婆師鬘。
My assemblies are greatly pure, Having cultivated merit with previous Buddhas, They accept the Tathāgata's merits, Like a garland of vārṣikī flowers.
夜摩天眾先佛所， 曾修持戒除貪著， 厭離煩惱心清淨， 於穢眾生起悲心。
The Yāma devas, in the presence of previous Buddhas, Have practiced precepts and removed attachments, With minds pure and weary of afflictions, They generate compassion for defiled beings.
於無量佛曾親近， 其數猶如恒河沙， 彼曾修習無量善， 為求無上菩提故。
They have been close to countless Buddhas, As numerous as the sands of the Ganges, They have practiced immeasurable good, For the sake of supreme bodhi.
知眾生沒煩惱已， 於苦眾生起悲心， 於人師子利世者， 問諸法門無有量。
Knowing beings are submerged in afflictions, They generate compassion for suffering beings, To the Lion of Men who benefits the world, They ask about countless Dharma gates.
我今導師為彼說， 聞者悉得成佛道， 知彼眾生煩惱鉤， 為說最上勝妙法。
Now I, the Teacher, explain for them, Those who hear will all attain Buddhahood, Knowing the hook of beings' afflictions, I teach the supreme and excellent Dharma.
彼勝丈夫大導師， 為彼眾生說空法， 彼聞諸佛所說已， 悉皆了知諸法空。
That superior person, the great guide, Teaches the emptiness Dharma for those beings, Having heard what all Buddhas teach, They all understand the emptiness of dharmas.
所謂空無諸法相， 說無自性無相法， 如是了知諸佛法， 悉皆安住佛功德。
This means emptiness is without characteristics of dharmas, Teaching selflessness and signlessness of dharmas, Thus understanding the Buddhas' Dharma, All abide in the Buddha's merits.
此等勝妙供養我， 如法各自受記莂， 當於來世星宿劫， 悉皆得成無上道。
These excellent ones make offerings to me, Each receiving predictions according to the Dharma, In the future Star Constellation Kalpa, They will all attain the unsurpassed Way.
如是如來無增減， 其數滿足四十億， 其佛同號淨智尊， 開悟無量諸眾生。」
Thus the Tathāgatas, without increase or decrease, Will number a full forty billion, All with the same title "Lord of Pure Wisdom", Awakening countless beings.
大仙降伏諸怨者， 答於馬勝所諮問， 滿夜摩天所願求， 大眾天人皆欣喜。
The Great Sage who conquers all foes, Answers Aśvajit's inquiries, Fulfilling the wishes of the Yāma devas, The great assembly of devas and humans all rejoice.