乾闥婆授記品第九
Chapter Nine: The Gandharvas' Prediction of Enlightenment
爾時復有三億六千萬乾闥婆眾，見諸阿修羅、迦樓羅、龍女、龍王、鳩槃茶等，供養世尊聞受記已，稱其心意欣喜踊悅，生希有心得未曾有，歎言：「希有未曾有事。乃至如來所說法界無有變異而示有作善根增長，雖無作者而示作業。」彼乾闥婆等於此法中如是知已，於如來所心生尊重，發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。彼欣喜已為供佛故，化作三億六千萬頭㖶羅婆那大龍象王，皆有六牙。一一牙上化作七池，一一池中化七蓮花，一一蓮花化作千葉，一一葉上化七玉女，一一葉間化七侍女，以天諸寶為莊嚴具而用莊飾，復執天香而用供養。復於一一㖶羅婆那象王頭上化作三億六千萬蓋，七寶旒蘇懸蓋四邊，七寶羅網以覆蓋上。復於一一㖶羅婆那象王頭上化作三億六千萬帳，皆是諸天妙香所成，繒綵旒蘇懸帳四邊。化作三億六千萬頭㖶羅婆那大象王已，彼乾闥婆等各乘其象鼓天音樂，於虛空中旋遶如來三十六匝，以天旃檀末、天沈水末、天多摩羅葉末、天真金末、曼陀羅花、摩訶曼陀羅花、曼殊沙花、摩訶曼殊沙花、波樓沙花、摩訶波樓沙花、迦迦羅婆花、摩訶迦迦羅婆花，又復化作七寶之花而散佛上。彼乾闥婆等散香花時，是香花氣逆風順風縱橫皆去。復雨種種天妙香水，雨香水時於迦毘羅城縱廣正等六十由旬皆成香泥。其香泥氣，充滿三千大千世界，其中眾生聞香氣者，皆悉不退阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。奏音樂時，其諸音聲遍滿三千大千世界，其中眾生聞此聲者亦得不退阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。如是一一諸乾闥婆，各於三億六千萬象王頭上設其供養，令諸玉女有作樂者、有作歌者、有作舞者。彼諸玉女作歌舞時，令諸大眾一心觀望。復有玉女動身手者、散旃檀末者、散沈水末者，廣作供養如阿修羅所設之事等無異也。
At that time, there were also 360 million gandharvas who, upon seeing the asuras, garudas, naga maidens, naga kings, kumbhandas and others making offerings to the World-Honored One and receiving predictions, were filled with joy and delight according to their hearts' desires. They gave rise to thoughts of wonder and experienced something unprecedented, exclaiming: "How extraordinary and unprecedented! Even though the Dharma realm explained by the Tathagata is unchanging, it demonstrates the growth of good roots and displays actions though there is no actor."
Having understood this about the Dharma, those gandharvas developed deep reverence for the Tathagata and gave rise to the aspiration for anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (supreme perfect enlightenment). In their joy, to make offerings to the Buddha, they magically created 360 million great naga elephant kings named Airavana, each with six tusks. On each tusk they created seven pools, in each pool seven lotus flowers, on each lotus flower a thousand petals, on each petal seven jade maidens, and between each petal seven attendant maidens. They adorned them with various heavenly treasures and had them hold heavenly incense as offerings.
On the head of each Airavana elephant king, they further created 360 million canopies, with precious tassels hanging from all four sides and jeweled nets covering the top. They also created 360 million curtains on each elephant king's head, all made of celestial fragrances, with colorful silk tassels hanging on all four sides.
Having created these 360 million great Airavana elephant kings, the gandharvas each mounted an elephant and played celestial music. They circled the Tathagata thirty-six times in the sky, scattering celestial sandalwood powder, aloewood powder, tamala leaf powder, true gold powder, mandara flowers, maha-mandara flowers, manjusha flowers, maha-manjusha flowers, parusha flowers, maha-parusha flowers, kakkolaka flowers, maha-kakkolaka flowers, and also magically created flowers of the seven treasures over the Buddha.
When the gandharvas scattered these fragrant flowers, their scent spread in all directions regardless of the wind. They also rained down various kinds of celestial fragrant waters. When this fragrant rain fell, it turned into fragrant mud covering an area of sixty yojanas in length and width in the city of Kapilavastu. The fragrance of this mud filled the entire trichiliocosm. All beings who smelled this fragrance became irreversible in their progress towards anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
When they played music, the sound filled the entire trichiliocosm. All beings who heard this sound also became irreversible in their progress towards anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
In this way, each of the gandharvas made offerings on the heads of 360 million elephant kings. Some jade maidens played music, some sang, and some danced. When these jade maidens sang and danced, they captivated the attention of the entire assembly. There were also jade maidens who moved their bodies and hands, scattered sandalwood powder, and scattered aloewood powder, making extensive offerings just like those made by the asuras.
爾時乾闥婆等各乘㖶羅婆那大象王頭，於虛空中遶佛三十六匝已，各從象下復遶三匝，頭面禮佛曲躬合掌，在一面住，以偈讚曰：
At that time, the gandharvas each mounted the heads of the great Airavana elephant kings and circled the Buddha thirty-six times in the sky. Then they descended from the elephants, circled the Buddha three more times, prostrated themselves before the Buddha with palms joined, stood to one side, and praised him with these verses:
世尊勝慧出有頂， 自既出已復度他， 一切世間無如佛， 相好光顏極端正。
The World-Honored One's supreme wisdom surpasses the highest realms, Having transcended himself, he now liberates others. In all the world, none compare to the Buddha, His majestic features and radiant countenance are supremely perfect.
人中最妙無邊稱， 示現世間不思議， 不見一法性相異， 而令眾生住於善。
Among humans, he is the most wondrous, with limitless renown, Manifesting in the world in inconceivable ways. Not seeing a single dharma with different nature or characteristics, Yet he guides beings to abide in goodness.
無有變異真如法， 但有言說無餘義， 無有用事及用者， 雖然佛化諸群生。
The true suchness of dharmas is without change, There are only words spoken, with no other meaning. There is no user of things, nor things to be used, Yet the Buddha still transforms all sentient beings.
不來不去亦不生， 佛能演說如是法， 雖說諸法體性空， 世雄而令修習道。
Neither coming nor going, also not born, The Buddha can expound such dharmas. Though he teaches that all dharmas are empty in nature, The World Hero still instructs beings to cultivate the path.
無有一法能自作， 世間明者說有作， 諸法各各不覺知， 世尊示現一切作。
Not a single dharma can act on its own, The wise in the world speak of actions, Each dharma is unaware of the others, Yet the World-Honored One demonstrates all actions.
如車多集眾分支， 彼支不知自能作， 其車功用現可見， 佛說諸法亦如是。
Like a chariot assembled from many parts, Those parts do not know they can function, Yet the chariot's use is clearly seen, The Buddha says all dharmas are likewise.
諸法各各不相教， 亦不迭互相覺寤， 一切亦復不相依， 法本不生亦不死。
Dharmas do not instruct one another, Nor do they mutually awaken each other, All things are also not interdependent, Dharmas fundamentally are unborn and undying.
佛為世諦如是說， 世諦諸法不全無， 如世諦法體性住， 如是知已為眾說。
The Buddha speaks thus for the sake of worldly truth, Worldly truths are not entirely non-existent, As worldly truths abide in their nature, Understanding this, he teaches the multitudes.
世尊如是說諸法， 大悲所作甚奇特， 諸法體性不可見， 如來方便說其性。
The World-Honored One speaks of dharmas in this way, His great compassion performs wondrous deeds, The nature of dharmas cannot be seen, The Tathagata skillfully explains their nature.
我等願作無邊稱， 具百福相大導師， 大悲利益諸世間， 願作世親如今佛。
We wish to become those of limitless renown, Great teachers with the hundred marks of merit, With great compassion benefiting all worlds, May we become kin to the world, like the present Buddha.
我等願於闇障者， 隨順貪駃欲流者， 渴愛所纏百苦者， 救濟度脫如世尊。
We wish to help those in darkness, Those following the swift currents of craving and desire, Those bound by thirst and a hundred sufferings, To rescue and liberate them like the World-Honored One.
我等願於眾苦者， 不見彼岸魔縛者， 走如猨猴輕躁者， 救濟度脫如世尊。
We wish to aid those in manifold sufferings, Those who cannot see the other shore, bound by Mara, Those who run about like restless monkeys, To rescue and liberate them like the World-Honored One.
我等願於盲冥者， 六趣往來疲勞者， 於己自壞業果者， 救濟度脫如世尊。」
We wish to help those in blindness and delusion, Those weary from traversing the six realms, Those who destroy the fruits of their own karma, To rescue and liberate them like the World-Honored One.
爾時世尊知彼三億六千萬乾闥婆眾深生信已，現微笑相。爾時慧命馬勝比丘以偈問曰：
At that time, the World-Honored One, knowing that the 360 million gandharvas had developed deep faith, displayed a smile. Then the Venerable Horse-Victory (Aśvajit) Bhikṣu asked in verse:
無邊威德現微笑， 導師如是非無因。 願佛速說此因緣， 斷除眾生諸疑網。
The one of boundless majesty displays a smile, The Teacher does not do so without cause. I wish the Buddha would quickly explain this reason, To dispel the web of doubts for all beings.
今見世尊微笑已， 大眾皆悉為疑網， 一切願聞微笑義， 唯願大悲斷眾疑。
Now that we have seen the World-Honored One smile, The great assembly is caught in a net of doubt. All wish to hear the meaning of this smile, May the Great Compassionate One dispel our doubts.
誰於佛法生敬信？ 能得離於諸疑網？ 佛知眾生深信已， 人天勝者故現笑。
Who has developed reverent faith in the Buddha's Dharma? Who is able to be free from all doubts? The Buddha, knowing beings' deep faith, The Superior One of gods and humans thus smiles.
誰有智慧能隨順， 如來所說真如法， 知其念慧解行已？ 在大眾中現微笑。
Who has the wisdom to follow The true suchness Dharma taught by the Tathāgata, Having understood its meaning, wisdom, and practice? He smiles in the midst of the great assembly.
一切大眾無異心， 唯欲樂聞雄猛說， 合十指掌在首頂， 一心瞻仰如來面。
The entire assembly is of one mind, Wishing only to hear the heroic teaching. With palms joined above their heads, They gaze single-mindedly at the Tathāgata's face.
離諸穢濁無憂慮， 世眼現在故欣喜， 為除一切心疑惑， 願大悲說笑因緣。」
Free from all defilements and without worry, They rejoice that the World's Eye is present. To remove all doubts from their hearts, May the Great Compassionate One explain the reason for his smile."
爾時世尊以偈答慧命馬勝言：
Here is the English translation of the verses spoken by the World-Honored One in response to Venerable Horse-Victory:
我所現笑為世故， 善哉汝問正是時， 大眾善根當增長， 為我微笑授記事。
I smile for the sake of the world, Excellent, your question comes at the right time. The good roots of the great assembly will increase, Due to my smile and this prediction.
馬勝諦聽我所說， 導師所現此微笑， 我今當正說彼義， 汝應欣喜聽我說。
Horse-Victory, listen carefully to what I say, The Teacher's smile that has appeared, I will now explain its meaning, You should joyfully listen to my words.
乾闥婆王敬信佛， 其心清淨生欣喜， 依於實法入法已， 於佛正法生希奇。
The Gandharva King has reverent faith in the Buddha, His mind is pure and gives rise to joy, Having entered the true Dharma based on reality, He marvels at the Buddha's true Dharma.
諸法寂滅安不動， 此等大眾趣實際， 如乾闥城如是入， 供養於我無有等。
All dharmas are tranquil, peaceful and unmoving, This great assembly tends towards the ultimate reality, Like entering a gandharva city, Their offerings to me are unequaled.
如是諸法無有生， 一切亦復不盡滅， 大眾思惟如幻住， 未能解了生疑惑。
Thus all dharmas are unborn, And also do not completely cease, The great assembly contemplates abiding like an illusion, Unable to fully understand, they give rise to doubts.
不可說法方便說， 我以真實故如是， 彼等入我正法已， 乘大龍象供養佛。
The ineffable Dharma is taught through skillful means, I do so in accordance with truth, They have entered my true Dharma, And make offerings to the Buddha riding great naga elephants.
觀察菩提無生滅， 乾闥婆王供養我， 悲愍愚迷眾生等， 是故求大一切智。
Observing that bodhi is without birth or cessation, The Gandharva King makes offerings to me, Out of compassion for deluded sentient beings, He thus seeks the great omniscient wisdom.
彼等發願當作佛， 令諸愚迷失智者， 入真實法安住已， 使得不死寂滅句。
They vow to become Buddhas in the future, To help the deluded who have lost wisdom, Enter and abide in the true Dharma, Attaining the deathless state of extinction.
此等作是供養已， 捨離鬼身心喜悅， 定得往生天宮中， 恒與帝釋相親近。
Having made these offerings, They abandon their ghost bodies with joyful hearts, Certainly to be reborn in heavenly palaces, Always in close company with Indra.
得值多億那由他， 供養無垢諸善逝， 從一佛剎至一剎， 於諸佛所得聞法。
They will encounter many billions of nayutas, And make offerings to the stainless Well-Gone Ones, From one Buddha land to another, Hearing the Dharma in the presence of all Buddhas.
彼等修淨佛行已， 所得佛土亦清淨， 化無量眾發道心， 令其增長佛種子。
Having cultivated the pure Buddha practices, The Buddha lands they attain will also be pure, They will transform countless beings to develop the bodhi mind, Causing the Buddha's lineage to grow.
知諸世間性空已， 亦以此法教導他， 令眾安住一切智， 住世無量那由劫。
Knowing the empty nature of all worlds, They will also use this Dharma to instruct others, Causing beings to abide in omniscience, Remaining in the world for countless nayuta kalpas.
彼佛同號無邊慧， 一一諸佛住於世， 皆悉無量那由劫， 演說佛道令他聞。」
Those Buddhas will share the same title, 'Boundless Wisdom', Each of those Buddhas will abide in the world, All for countless nayuta kalpas, Expounding the Buddha's path for others to hear."
如是釋迦牟尼佛， 說乾闥婆供養報， 與其授記令得聞， 馬勝所問笑因緣。
Thus did Shakyamuni Buddha Explain the karmic results of the Gandharvas' offerings, Giving them predictions for all to hear, In response to Horse-Victory's question about the reason for his smile.
大眾聞已皆欣喜， 知彼佛記甚可樂， 聞是無等佛記已， 皆悉歸依釋迦文。
The great assembly, having heard this, all rejoiced, Knowing the Buddha's prediction was most delightful, Having heard this unparalleled Buddha prediction, They all took refuge in Shakyamuni.
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大寶積經卷第六十四