龍女授記品第六
Chapter Six: The Nāga Girl’s Prediction of Enlightenment
爾時九億六千萬龍女，見諸阿修羅伽樓羅供養世尊及授記已，心生欣喜。彼得欣喜踊悅稱心，於世尊所起心供養，化作九億六千萬蓋，皆七寶成。毘琉璃網以覆其上，赤真珠寶以為網緣，金為蓋莖，毘琉璃寶以為蓋子，數有百千，雜寶旒蘇垂下四面。化作九億六千萬馬，青馬青色青形青光，諸莊嚴具一切皆青，毘琉璃寶以為繮鞚。於上虛空中化作大威德摩尼寶車，於其車上復有寶殿，縱廣正等六十由旬，其殿遍覆諸來大眾。其殿四面化作九億六千萬眾寶旒蘇，周遍垂下甚奇微妙，其諸光彩奪人心目。化作寶網彌覆殿上，復有寶鈴懸殿四廂。化作七寶鶬鵠白鴿，以次飛行遶殿四面。又復化作九億六千萬種諸龍音樂。時諸龍女乘彼青馬各擲寶蓋，於虛空中自然遊行。是諸龍女各取樂器奏諸音聲，遶佛三匝，以天旃檀末、天沈水末、多摩羅葉末、天真金末及諸龍花，并復化作種種之花而散佛上。復以優波羅花旒蘇、種種雜色眾花旒蘇、種種無量雜香旒蘇，種種無量雜色之衣，種種無量雜色瓔珞，以用散佛廣設供養，亦如彼諸阿修羅王。
At that time, nine hundred and sixty million nāga maidens, seeing the asuras and garudas making offerings to the World-Honored One and receiving predictions, became joyful in their hearts. Having attained this joy and delight to their hearts' content, they aroused the intention to make offerings to the World-Honored One. They magically created nine hundred and sixty million canopies, all made of the seven treasures. Lapis lazuli nets covered the top, with red pearl jewels as the net's edges. The canopy stems were made of gold, and lapis lazuli jewels formed the canopy's children, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Various jeweled tassels hung down on all four sides.
They magically created nine hundred and sixty million horses, blue in color, blue in form, and blue in radiance. All their ornaments were blue, with lapis lazuli jewels as their reins and bridles. In the sky above, they magically created a great and majestic mani jewel chariot. On top of the chariot was a jeweled palace, measuring sixty yojanas in length and width, its canopy covering all the assembled multitudes.
On the four sides of the palace, they magically created nine hundred and sixty million jeweled tassels, hanging down all around, extraordinarily wonderful, their brilliant colors captivating the eyes and hearts of people. They created a jeweled net covering the top of the palace, with jeweled bells hanging from the four corners. They magically created seven-jeweled herons and white doves, flying in sequence around the four sides of the palace. They also magically created nine hundred and sixty million types of dragon music.
At that time, the nāga maidens, riding those blue horses, each tossed a jeweled canopy, naturally moving through the sky. These dragon maidens each took musical instruments and played various sounds, circling the Buddha three times. They scattered over the Buddha heavenly sandalwood powder, heavenly agaru wood powder, tamala leaf powder, heavenly pure gold powder, and various dragon flowers. They also magically created various kinds of flowers to scatter over the Buddha.
Furthermore, they used utpala flower tassels, various multicolored flower tassels, various innumerable fragrant tassels, various innumerable multicolored clothes, and various innumerable multicolored necklaces to scatter over the Buddha, making extensive offerings, just like those asura kings had done.
爾時九億六千萬龍女作音樂時，以佛神力，其聲遍滿三千大千佛之世界。其中眾生聞是聲者，於阿耨多羅三藐三菩提得不退轉。於大威德眾寶殿中，及寶旒蘇眾鳥行間，諸寶鈴網微風吹擊出妙音聲，其聲和雅甚可愛樂。譬如百伎音樂善巧學人之所擊作，所出音聲和雅可愛。於彼大威德殿乃至鈴網所出之聲，亦復如是。此聲亦遍三千大千佛之世界，其中眾生若聞聲者，於阿耨多羅三藐三菩提亦不退轉。
At that time, when 960 million nāga maidens played music, by the Buddha's supernatural power, the sound filled the entire three thousand great thousand world systems of the Buddha. The beings in those worlds who heard this sound attained non-retrogression from anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (supreme perfect enlightenment).
In the great majestic jeweled palace and among the jeweled tassels and birds, the jeweled bell-nets were gently blown by the wind, producing wonderful sounds that were harmonious and delightful. It was like the sound produced by a hundred skillfully played musical instruments, harmonious and lovely. The sounds coming from the great majestic palace up to the bell-nets were just like this.
This sound also pervaded the three thousand great thousand world systems of the Buddha. The beings in those worlds who heard this sound also attained non-retrogression from anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
爾時彼諸龍女復更雨於種種天花、種種天香，與水俱下，其香花氣順風、逆風、不順不逆皆悉能去。以香水故，於迦毘羅城縱廣正等六十由旬皆成香泥。其香泥氣遍滿三千大千世界，其中眾生聞是香氣，亦於阿耨多羅三藐三菩提得不退轉。
At that time, those dragon maidens again rained down various celestial flowers and various celestial fragrances, which fell together with water. The scent of these fragrant flowers could travel with the wind, against the wind, or neither with nor against the wind. Due to this fragrant water, the area within and around Kapilavastu city, extending sixty yojanas in all directions, became fragrant mud. The fragrance of this mud pervaded the entire three thousand great thousand world systems. The beings in these worlds who smelled this fragrance also attained non-retrogression from anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
爾時彼諸龍女供養佛已，及九億六千萬蓋、九億六千萬馬、九億六千萬音樂、一切眾寶莊嚴供具，於虛空中頭面禮佛，右遶三匝，却住一面，曲躬合掌以偈讚曰：
At that time, after those nāga maidens had made offerings to the Buddha, including nine hundred and sixty million canopies, nine hundred and sixty million horses, nine hundred and sixty million musical instruments, and all kinds of precious ornaments and offering items, they bowed their heads to the Buddha in the air, circumambulated him three times to the right, then stood to one side. With bent bodies and palms joined, they praised him in verse, saying:
諸龍婦等有智慧， 心意踊悅生欣喜， 供養釋迦牟尼佛， 願求安隱大菩提。
The wise nāga wives, With hearts leaping in joy and delight, Make offerings to Śākyamuni Buddha, Wishing for the peace of great bodhi.
化作九億六千萬， 寶蓋及與妙莊嚴， 供養善逝善調心， 出離一切諸障礙。
They magically create nine hundred and sixty million Jeweled canopies with wondrous adornments, Offering to the Well-Gone One of well-tamed mind, To depart from all obstacles.
復化九億六千萬， 妙馬及與莊飾具， 馬與莊嚴皆青色， 亦復更有青色幢。
They magically created nine hundred and sixty million, Wondrous horses with ornaments and decorations, The horses and ornaments were all blue in color, And there were also blue banners.
彼馬一切空中行， 詣於佛所作供養， 龍婦咸有信敬心， 頭面頂禮如來足。
All those horses traveled through the sky, Going to the Buddha's place to make offerings. The dragon wives all had hearts full of faith and respect, Bowing their heads to the feet of the Tathagata.
於龍宮中化音樂， 為供養故而持來， 來已奉上釋迦文， 應受供養大導師。
In the nāga palace they created magical music, Bringing it to make offerings. Having arrived, they presented it to Shakyamuni, The great teacher worthy of offerings.
善逝令彼音樂聲， 遍滿三千大千界， 無量眾生得聞已， 皆悉不退菩提心。」
The Well-Gone One caused that music To fill the three thousand great thousand worlds. Countless beings who heard it All became irreversible in their bodhicitta.
彼諸龍女於空中， 化作一大眾寶殿， 縱廣由旬有六十， 遍覆十方一切眾。
Those nāga women in the sky Magically created a great jeweled palace, Sixty yojanas in length and width, Covering all the assemblies in the ten directions.
寶名威德熾然光， 普照十方大千界， 彼諸龍女大眾前， 淨心欣喜供養佛。
The jeweled name of glorious power, Illuminates the ten directions and great thousand worlds. Before the assembly of dragon maidens, With pure hearts and joy they make offerings to the Buddha.
生於踊悅無等心， 為求安隱菩提果： 「願令我等當作佛， 利益一切眾生故。
Giving rise to unequaled joyful hearts, Seeking the peaceful fruit of bodhi: "May we all become Buddhas, To benefit all sentient beings.
我等願於無量眾， 說法度諸煩惱纏， 亦如十力大導師， 現救苦惱眾生等。
We wish to teach the Dharma to countless beings, Liberating them from the bonds of afflictions, Just like the great guide with ten powers, Appearing to save suffering beings.
一切諸法如幻焰， 亦如水沫不堅實， 又如注雨所起泡， 當知諸法無有主。
All phenomena are like illusory flames, Also like bubbles, insubstantial, And like bubbles arising from falling rain, Know that all phenomena have no owner.
眾生如像亦如影， 如是觀察世間已， 唯願我等為眾說， 法性真如及實際。
Beings are like reflections and shadows, Having observed the world thus, We only wish to teach the multitudes About the true nature, suchness, and ultimate reality."
如佛無過善見法， 虛偽妄相誑愚者， 如幻莊嚴無有實， 唯能惑亂諸凡夫。
As the Buddha faultlessly sees the truth, False and deceptive appearances deceive the foolish. Like illusory adornments without substance, They only confuse ordinary people.
眾生於法迷無智， 不知諸法如實性， 導師已見彼彼法， 復能令他眾生解。
Beings are deluded and ignorant of the Dharma, Not knowing the true nature of all things. The Teacher has seen all these phenomena, And can help other beings understand.
虛空興雲遍覆地， 見彼空雲猶如影， 彼無體實無所依， 亦復如影無有實。
Clouds arise in the sky covering the earth, Seeing those sky clouds like shadows, They have no real substance or support, And like shadows, have no reality.
如是眾生無體性， 唯能誑惑諸根門， 佛智如是見有趣， 但能誑惑無智者。
Thus beings have no inherent nature, Only able to deceive the sense faculties. The Buddha's wisdom sees the realms of existence, But they only deceive those without wisdom.
世間尊重以此業， 於智慧人作利益， 如來示現無體性， 一切眾生真實故。
The world honors this karma, Benefiting those with wisdom. The Tathagata demonstrates no inherent nature, For the sake of all beings' true reality.
唯以實法悅預子， 生死泥中作橋梁， 愚癡實法非境界， 由於著聲不求義。
Only with true Dharma delighting disciples, Making a bridge in the mire of birth and death. The true Dharma is not the realm of the foolish, Due to attachment to words, not seeking meaning.
以佛無邊我歸依， 具足示現真實者， 能與愚夫作親救， 歸趣舍宅善知識。
I take refuge in the boundless Buddha, Who fully demonstrates the truth, Able to be a close savior to the foolish, A refuge and virtuous friend to turn to.
如是為求大菩提， 我等供養尊導師， 願得作佛覺寤他， 我益世間猶如佛。」
Thus, seeking great enlightenment, We make offerings to the honored Teacher, Wishing to become Buddhas and awaken others, Benefiting the world just like the Buddha.
爾時世尊知諸龍女得深信已，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 nāga maidens had gained deep faith, showed a subtle smile. Then the venerable Aśvajit asked in verse:
於世智中勝智者， 最勝導師現微笑， 尊重堅固德如山， 今現微笑非無因。
O Wisest among the wise in the world, The Supreme Guide has shown a smile. Honored One, with virtue firm as a mountain, This smile is not without cause.
人中最上勝尊主， 願為說此笑因緣， 天人龍鬼若得聞， 於佛皆生大欣喜。
Most Excellent Lord among humans, Please explain the reason for this smile. If gods, humans, nāgas, and spirits hear it, They will all feel great joy towards the Buddha.
世間導師於世聞， 常知一切因緣法， 無有一法佛不解， 因緣種類佛悉知。
The World-Guide is renowned in the world, Always knowing all causes and conditions. There is no dharma the Buddha does not understand, The Buddha knows all types of causes and conditions.
唯願善逝見為說， 如佛所知笑因緣， 一切大眾若得聞， 皆生欣喜除疑網。
May the Well-Gone One please explain, As the Buddha knows, the reason for the smile. If all the great assembly could hear, All would rejoice and remove their net of doubts.
如來妙法有大利， 此等大眾必當獲， 大眾若得寂定心， 由味妙法利益故。
The Buddha's wondrous Dharma has great benefit, This great assembly will surely attain it. If the great assembly attains a tranquil mind, It's due to tasting the benefit of the wondrous Dharma.
佛力令斷分別已， 唯樂菩提聽佛說， 若得聞於笑因緣， 當必成就於佛道。
The Buddha's power has already cut off discriminations, Only delighting in bodhi, listening to the Buddha speak. If one gets to hear the reason for the smile, One will surely accomplish the Buddha's path.
若人於法情有疑， 其心掉動生苦惱， 現今此會大眾是， 不知微笑因緣故。
If someone has doubts about the Dharma, Their mind becomes agitated and gives rise to suffering. This present assembly is like this, Not knowing the reason for the subtle smile.
大眾堪能斷疑網， 唯願導師令除滅， 速為眾說度我等， 以何因緣現微笑？
The great assembly is capable of cutting off the net of doubts, May the Guide please eliminate them. Quickly explain to the assembly and liberate us, For what reason did you display a subtle smile?
誰於今日心清淨？ 誰於今日降魔怨？ 誰於佛所生敬信？ 誰於今日供養佛？
Who today has a pure mind? Who today has conquered Mara's armies? Who has given rise to reverent faith in the Buddha? Who today has made offerings to the Buddha?
唯願導師大眾前， 演說誰有如是力， 我等聞已生喜心， 生喜心已得安樂。
May the Guide before the great assembly, Explain who has such power. When we hear it we will give rise to joyful minds, Having given rise to joyful minds, we will attain peace.
此諸大眾咸敬禮， 一切皆有疑網心， 願說笑因生喜故， 唯願世尊斷眾疑。
This great assembly all pays homage, All have minds with nets of doubt. Wishing you to explain the reason for the smile to bring joy, May the World-Honored One cut off the assembly's doubts.
此諸天人得聞已， 大眾當得無疑網， 若得聞於如來說， 一切當得欣喜心。」
When these gods and humans get to hear it, The great assembly will be without nets of doubt. If they get to hear the Tathagata's explanation, All will attain joyful minds.
爾時世尊以偈答慧命馬勝言：
At that time, the World-Honored One answered the venerable Aśvajit in verse:
善哉善哉慧馬勝， 能問如來笑因緣， 見諸龍女供養已， 我愍世間故微笑。
Excellent, excellent, wise Aśvajit, You are able to ask about the reason for the Tathāgata's smile. Seeing the nāga maidens make offerings, I smiled out of compassion for the world.
我今為汝說彼果， 離諸過惡至心聽， 我今所為現微笑， 汝馬勝等聽我語。
I will now tell you the result of this, Listen attentively, free from faults. The reason I now displayed a smile, You, Aśvajit and others, listen to my words.
此諸龍女心無著， 求大菩提修進行， 以智慧修世間空， 決定安住菩提道。
These nāga maidens with unattached hearts, Seek great bodhi and practice diligently, With wisdom they cultivate the emptiness of the world, Firmly abiding on bodhi path.
於此無作無受者， 亦無生者養育者， 但有諸法無餘事， 其法亦妄如焰像。
In this, there is no doer and no receiver, No one born and no one nurtured, There are only phenomena, nothing else, These phenomena are illusory like mirages.
以知恩故供養我， 能以智慧知真實， 善哉佛解諸世間， 所謂能見空無主。
Out of gratitude, they make offerings to me, Able to know the truth through wisdom. Excellent! The Buddha understands all worlds, Namely, seeing emptiness and non-self.
彼樂此空善修習， 雖設供養猶如幻， 於勝菩提所發願， 觀彼菩提亦無著。
They delight in and practice this emptiness well, Though making offerings, it's like an illusion. In their vows for supreme enlightenment, They see even bodhi as unattached.
此以無等供養佛， 亦觀眾生空寂已， 永離龍道惡趣身， 與彼帝釋天中住。
Making unequaled offerings to the Buddha, And observing beings as empty and tranquil, They'll forever leave the evil realms of nāgas, And dwell with Indra in the heavens.
在忉利天極受樂， 盡彼天子壽命已， 無能毀訾彼名稱， 復得生彼夜摩天。
In the Trāyastriṃśa heaven, they'll enjoy extreme bliss, Until the end of those gods' lifespans. None will be able to defame their reputation, And they'll be reborn in the Yāma heaven.
居止夜摩天宮時， 具受彼天勝妙樂， 諸佛子等住彼中， 乃至盡彼天壽量。
While residing in the Yāma heaven's palace, They'll fully enjoy that heaven's supreme pleasures. These children of the Buddha will dwell there, Until the end of that heaven's lifespan.
此諸佛子具受樂， 盡彼夜摩天壽已， 復得往生兜率天， 與彼處天同其類。
These children of the Buddha, having enjoyed pleasures, After exhausting the Yāma heaven's lifespan, Will again be reborn in Tuṣita heaven, Of the same class as the gods there.
為諸天女常圍遶， 具受彼天勝妙樂， 心無所著住善道， 譬如蓮花水不污。
Constantly surrounded by heavenly maidens, They'll enjoy that heaven's supreme pleasures. Their hearts unattached, they'll dwell on the good path, Like a lotus unstained by water.
彼天能以大智慧， 觀察一切世間空， 猶如畫石字不滅， 彼念不失亦如是。
Those gods, with their great wisdom, Will observe all worlds as empty, Like words carved in stone that don't fade, Their mindfulness will not be lost.
彼諸天子居彼天， 具受彼中勝妙樂， 於彼善道盡壽已， 當更往生化樂天。
Those gods dwelling in that heaven, Will fully enjoy its supreme pleasures. When their lifespan in that good realm ends, They'll next be reborn in the Nirmāṇarati heaven.
彼得善名無能毀， 為諸天女勝供養， 雖住天宮心無著， 乃至盡彼天壽限。
They will gain a good reputation that none can destroy, And receive supreme offerings from heavenly maidens. Though dwelling in celestial palaces, their hearts will remain unattached, Until the end of their heavenly lifespan.
於彼化樂天宮中， 具受彼天勝樂報， 彼智慧者命盡已， 於一切法得究竟。
In the palace of the Nirmāṇarati heaven, They will fully enjoy that heaven's supreme blissful rewards. When those wise ones' lives end there, They will attain perfection in all dharmas.
往生他化自在天， 作大商主信清淨， 住彼天中心無染， 如是住時愛樂法。
They are then reborn in the Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven, Becoming great merchant leaders with pure faith. Dwelling in that heaven, their hearts remain unstained, And while residing there, they delight in the Dharma.
彼等居彼天宮殿， 受彼極妙五欲樂， 無愚癡者住善道， 乃至盡彼限壽量。
They will dwell in those heavenly palaces, Enjoying the most exquisite five sensual pleasures. Free from delusion, abiding on the good path, Until the end of their limited lifespan there.
雖受天欲見其過， 樂求寂定及涅槃， 修習獲得禪定已， 命終即生梵天中。
Though they enjoy celestial desires, they see their faults, And take pleasure in seeking tranquility and nirvana. Having practiced and attained meditative absorption, At the end of their lives they will be reborn in the Brahma heavens.
於梵宮中善知禪， 受彼禪果寂滅樂， 智慧無等住一劫， 願求無上大菩提。
In the Brahma palaces they are well-versed in meditation, Experiencing the tranquil bliss that is the fruit of meditation. With unequaled wisdom they dwell for an eon, Aspiring to supreme great enlightenment.
住彼梵宮一劫時， 善住威儀求智慧， 方便以利益世間， 廣作無邊無有量。
Dwelling in those Brahma palaces for a kalpa, They will abide well in dignified conduct, seeking wisdom. Using skillful means to benefit the world, Performing boundless and immeasurable good deeds.
智住梵宮樂在禪， 於禪不著而寂滅， 知著禪樂亦是過， 諸根寂定求菩提。
Wisely dwelling in Brahma palaces, delighting in meditation, They will be unattached to meditation while abiding in tranquility. Knowing attachment to meditative bliss is also a fault, With tranquil faculties they seek enlightenment.
於一切處心信解， 皆得安住菩薩行， 知諸禪定虛誑相， 唯求寂滅大涅槃。
Everywhere their hearts have faith and understanding, All abiding in the bodhisattva practices. Knowing the illusory nature of meditative states, They only seek the great nirvana of extinction.
彼諸佛子於彼中， 求於安隱菩提果， 在彼梵宮心清淨， 思利世間善調心。
Those children of the Buddha there Seek the peaceful fruit of enlightenment. In those Brahma palaces with pure hearts, They contemplate benefiting the world with well-tamed minds.
諸梵天等自然教， 彼說梵教非出世， 唯有諸佛菩提道， 究竟能得出世間。
The Brahma devas teach their natural doctrine, But that Brahma teaching is not transcendent. Only the enlightenment path of all Buddhas Can ultimately transcend the world.
梵天當時生信已， 發心安住於佛法， 知本梵天自然教， 非是究竟出世道。
When the Brahma devas give rise to faith, They resolve to abide in the Buddha's Dharma, Knowing the original natural teachings of the Brahma devas Are not the ultimate transcendent path.
於善逝法彼相應， 為於世間說是法， 如彼法眼所說果， 令彼聞者速能知。
They harmonize with the Well-Gone One's Dharma, To teach this Dharma to the world. As the Dharma-eye has explained the fruit, Causing those who hear to quickly understand.
彼等住彼梵宮時， 作諸利益世間已， 能令無量那由他， 億眾安住菩提道。
While dwelling in those Brahma palaces, Having benefited the world, They are able to establish countless nayutas Of billions of beings on the path of enlightenment.
彼於無量那由劫， 當得供養一切佛， 後於未來星宿劫， 諸根寂靜當作佛。
For countless nayutas of kalpas, They will make offerings to all Buddhas. Later, in the future Star Constellation Kalpa, With tranquil faculties, they will become Buddhas.
諸天人龍阿修羅， 金翅夜叉乾闥婆， 鳩槃茶鬼緊那羅， 一切大眾皆欣喜。
Gods, humans, nagas, asuras, Garudas, yakshas, gandharvas, Kumbhandas, and kinnaras - All the great assemblies rejoice.
彼等一切佛教化， 於佛法中得力已， 皆悉欣喜合指掌， 稽首頂禮於佛足。」
They are all taught by the Buddha, Having gained strength in the Buddha's Dharma. All rejoice with palms joined, Bowing their heads at the Buddha's feet.
大寶積經卷第六十三