The Bodhisattvas Emerging Out of the Ground

從地涌出的菩薩們

14.1Then the bodhisattvas who had arrived from other world realms, who were as numerous as the grains of sand in eight Ganges Rivers, stood up in the circle of the assembly, bowed to the Bhagavān with hands together in homage, and said these words:

14.1那時，從其他世界來到的菩薩們，其數量如同八條恆河中的沙粒那麼眾多，在集會的圓圈中站起身來，用雙手合掌向薄伽梵禮敬，並說出這樣的話語：

“Bhagavān, if the Bhagavān will permit us, [F.111.a] after the Tathāgata has passed into nirvāṇa, we too will teach this Dharma teaching in the Sahā world realm. We will read it, write it, and make offerings to it. We shall be dedicated to this Dharma teaching. Bhagavān, teach well this Dharma teaching to us.”

「薄伽梵，如果薄伽梵允許我們，如來涅槃後，我們也將在娑婆世界弘揚這部法教。我們將誦讀它、書寫它，並向它供養。我們將致力於弘揚這部法教。薄伽梵，請好好教導我們這部法教。」

14.2The Bhagavān then asked all those bodhisattvas, “Noble ones, why would you need to do this? In this Sahā world realm there are my thousands of bodhisattvas who are as numerous as the grains of sand in sixty Ganges Rivers. Each one of those bodhisattvas has, as followers, thousands of bodhisattvas who are themselves as numerous as the grains of sand in sixty Ganges Rivers, and each of those bodhisattvas has that many followers, too. In the future times, after I have passed into nirvāṇa, they will possess this Dharma teaching and they will teach it.”

14.2薄伽梵於是問那些菩薩們說：「各位尊者，你們為什麼需要做這件事呢？在這個娑婆世界裡，我有數千位菩薩，他們多如六十條恆河的沙粒。每一位菩薩都有數千位追隨者，他們本身也多如六十條恆河的沙粒，而這些菩薩中的每一位也都有同樣數量的追隨者。在未來的時代裡，在我進入涅槃之後，他們將會擁有這部法教，並將宣揚它。」

14.3As soon as the Bhagavān had uttered those words, this entire Sahā world realm cracked apart completely, was rent with fissures, and there came out from within those fissures the bodhisattvas who lived in the Sahā world realm, the many hundreds of thousands of quintillions of bodhisattvas, with their golden bodies and their thirty-two signs of a great being, who dwelled in the element of space beneath the great earth. They had heard the Bhagavān’s words, and came out from under the ground. Each one of these bodhisattvas had a following of bodhisattvas as numerous as the grains of sand in sixty Ganges Rivers, in groups, great groups, along with the teachers of those groups.

14.3薄伽梵一說出這些話，整個娑婆世界完全裂開，出現了許多裂隙，從那些裂隙中湧出了住在娑婆世界的菩薩摩訶薩們。這些菩薩摩訶薩有著數百萬億之多，身體金色，具足三十二相，他們原本住在大地之下的虛空界中。他們聽到了薄伽梵的言語，便從地下出現。這些菩薩摩訶薩中的每一位，都有眷屬菩薩們在跟隨，其數量如同恆河沙粒般眾多，他們分成各個大的群體，每個群體都有各自的導師。

14.4Thus it was that there appeared from out of the ground of this Sahā world realm bodhisattva mahāsattvas in groups, great groups, along with the teachers of those groups‍—hundreds of thousands of quintillions of bodhisattvas as numerous as the grains of sand in sixty Ganges Rivers, [F.111.b] let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with bodhisattva followers as numerous as the grains of sand in fifty Ganges Rivers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with bodhisattva followers as numerous as the grains of sand in forty Ganges Rivers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with bodhisattva followers as numerous as the grains of sand in thirty Ganges Rivers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with bodhisattva followers as numerous as the grains of sand in twenty Ganges Rivers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with bodhisattva followers as numerous as the grains of sand in ten Ganges Rivers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with bodhisattva followers as numerous as the grains of sand in five Ganges Rivers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with bodhisattva followers as numerous as the grains of sand in one Ganges River, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with bodhisattva followers as numerous as the grains of sand in half a Ganges River, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with bodhisattva followers as numerous as the grains of sand in a quarter of a Ganges River, or in a sixth, or in an eighth, or in a twentieth, or in a fiftieth, or in a hundredth, or in a thousandth, or in a ten millionth, or in a billionth, or in a trillionth, or in a quintillionth, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with many quintillions of bodhisattva followers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with ten million bodhisattva followers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with a hundred thousand bodhisattva followers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with a thousand bodhisattva followers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with five hundred bodhisattva followers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas [F.112.a] with four hundred or three hundred or two hundred bodhisattva followers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with a hundred bodhisattva followers, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with fifty bodhisattva followers, and likewise, let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with forty bodhisattva followers, or thirty, or twenty, or ten, or five, or four, or three, or two, and let alone bodhisattva mahāsattvas with one bodhisattva follower.

14.4就這樣，從這個娑婆世界的地面湧現出成組成批的菩薩摩訶薩，連同那些團體的導師——多達六十條恆河沙數那麼多的百千億兆菩薩，更何況那些擁有恆河沙數五十倍那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有恆河沙數四十倍那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有恆河沙數三十倍那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有恆河沙數二十倍那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有恆河沙數十倍那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有恆河沙數五倍那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有一條恆河沙數那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有半條恆河沙數那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有四分之一恆河沙數那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，或六分之一、八分之一、二十分之一、五十分之一、百分之一、千分之一、千萬分之一、十億分之一、兆分之一、百兆分之一的那麼多菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有許多百兆菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有一千萬菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有十萬菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有一千菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有五百菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有四百、三百、二百菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有一百菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些擁有五十菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，同樣地，更何況那些擁有四十菩薩眷屬、三十、二十、十、五、四、三、二菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩，更何況那些只擁有一位菩薩眷屬的菩薩摩訶薩。

14.5Those bodhisattva mahāsattvas who were beyond number, calculation, simile, or comparison emerged from the ground of the Sahā world realm. When they had emerged they went toward the precious stūpa suspended in the air within which the bhagavān tathāgata Prabhūtaratna, who had passed into nirvāṇa, and the bhagavān tathāgata Śākyamuni were sitting together upon a lion throne. When they arrived there, they bowed their heads to the feet of both tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly enlightened buddhas.

14.5那些無數、無量、無可比喻、無可比較的菩薩摩訶薩從娑婆世界的地面湧出。他們湧出後，朝著懸浮在空中的七寶塔走去，塔內安坐著已經入涅槃的薄伽梵如來多寶和薄伽梵如來釋迦牟尼，兩位如來坐在同一獅子座上。當他們抵達那裡時，他們向兩位如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺佛的足下頂禮。

They bowed down and paid homage to the emanations of the bhagavān tathāgata Śākyamuni, the bodies of the tathāgatas who had gathered from the other world realms in the ten directions, the bhagavāns who were seated on lion thrones at the foot of trees made of various precious materials.

他們向薄伽梵如來釋迦牟尼的化身頂禮，向從十方其他世界聚集而來的如來眾身禮敬，向坐在以各種七寶樹為根基的獅子座上的薄伽梵們頂禮。

14.6They circumambulated those tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly enlightened buddhas hundreds of thousands of times and they praised them with many kinds of bodhisattva praises, and then they stood to one side with their hands together in homage and they paid homage to the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Śākyamuni [F.112.b] and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Prabhūtaratna.

14.6他們繞行那些如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺佛數百千次，用各種菩薩讚頌來讚歎他們，然後合掌站立一旁恭敬禮拜，禮敬如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺佛釋迦牟尼，以及如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺佛多寶如來。

14.7At that time those bodhisattva mahāsattvas who had emerged from the ground paid homage to the tathāgatas and praised them with various bodhisattva praises for fifty intermediate eons. During those fifty intermediate eons Bhagavān Śākyamuni remained silent, and the fourfold assembly also remained silent for those fifty intermediate eons.

14.7此時，從地涌出的菩薩摩訶薩向如來禮敬，以各種菩薩讚頌向他們稱讚，共持續了五十個中劫。在這五十個中劫期間，薄伽梵釋迦牟尼保持沉默，四眾弟子也在這五十個中劫期間保持沉默。

14.8The Bhagavān now brought about a miracle, such that through that miracle the fourfold assembly thought those eons were just one afternoon. They saw this Sahā world realm became the size of a hundred thousand world realms and filled with bodhisattvas.

14.8薄伽梵現在展現了一個神跡，透過這個神跡，四眾弟子認為那些劫只是一個下午。他們看見這個娑婆世界變成了百千個世界那麼大，充滿了菩薩們。

14.9There were four bodhisattva mahāsattvas who were the principal ones among that great gathering of bodhisattvas, that great aggregation of bodhisattvas. They were the bodhisattva mahāsattva named Viśiṣṭacāritra, the bodhisattva mahāsattva named Anantacāritra, the bodhisattva mahāsattva named Viśuddhacāritra, and the bodhisattva mahāsattva named Supratiṣṭhitacāritra. Those four bodhisattva mahāsattvas were the principal figures among that great gathering of bodhisattvas, that great aggregation of bodhisattvas.

14.9在那個菩薩大眾、菩薩大聚集中，有四位菩薩摩訶薩是主要的領導者。他們分別是名叫常精進菩薩摩訶薩、無邊行菩薩摩訶薩、淨行菩薩摩訶薩和上行菩薩摩訶薩。這四位菩薩摩訶薩是那個菩薩大眾、菩薩大聚集中的主要人物。

14.10Those four bodhisattva mahāsattvas now stood before that great gathering of bodhisattvas, that great aggregation of bodhisattvas, and in front of the Bhagavān, with hands placed together in homage, they inquired of the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, do you have few troubles, do you have little illness, are you happy? Bhagavān, are the beings in your care of good character? [F.113.a] Do they have good understanding? Are they easy to guide? Are they easy to purify? Are they not a cause of sadness for the Bhagavān?”

14.10那四位菩薩摩訶薩現在站在那個菩薩大眾、那個菩薩大聚集的前面，以及薄伽梵的面前，雙手合掌表示禮敬，他們向薄伽梵詢問說：「薄伽梵，您煩惱少嗎，您有疾病少嗎，您快樂嗎？薄伽梵，您所照顧的眾生品德好嗎？他們有好的理解力嗎？他們容易被引導嗎？他們容易被淨化嗎？他們不會讓薄伽梵感到悲傷嗎？」

14.11Those four bodhisattvas then spoke these verses to the Bhagavān:

14.11那四位菩薩摩訶薩隨即向薄伽梵說出這些偈頌：

“Lord of the World, who shines with light,

世間導師，光明照耀，

Are you dwelling in happiness?

你是否安住於樂境？

Are you free from illness?

您身無病苦嗎？

Is your sinless body well? {1}

你那無罪的身體安好嗎？

“Are the beings in your care of good character?

「你所照顧的眾生品格良好嗎？」

Are they easy to guide and easy to purify?

他們容易被導師引導，容易被淨化嗎？

Do they not cause you sadness

他們沒有令你感到悲傷嗎？

When the Lord of the World teaches?” {2}

當世界的導師教導時？

14.13In reply, the Bhagavān answered those four bodhisattva mahāsattvas who were the principal figures among that great gathering of bodhisattvas, that great aggregation of bodhisattvas, “Noble ones, it is like this: I dwell in happiness; I have little harm, little illness. The beings in my care are of good character, have good understanding, are easily guided, and are easily purified. They do not cause me sadness while they are being purified. Why is that? Noble ones, it is because these beings of mine have trained during the time of previous perfectly enlightened buddhas. Noble ones, they become devoted just on seeing me and hearing me, and they enter and remain in the wisdom of the buddhas, except for those who are engaged in the practice of the level of the śrāvakas. But I have also now brought them into the wisdom of the buddhas, and caused them to hear the ultimate truth.”

14.13薄伽梵對那四位菩薩摩訶薩做出回答。這四位菩薩摩訶薩是菩薩大眾、菩薩們的主要人物。薄伽梵說：「諸位貴人，情況是這樣的：我住在快樂中；我的傷害很少，病痛很少。我所照顧的眾生品行良好，理解良好，容易被引導，容易被淨化。他們在被淨化的時候不會使我傷心。為什麼呢？諸位貴人，這是因為我的這些眾生在過去正等正覺佛的時代就已經修習過了。諸位貴人，他們只要見到我、聽到我，就會變得虔誠，並進入並住於諸佛的智慧中，除了那些專門從事聲聞修行的人。但我現在也已經把他們帶入了諸佛的智慧中，並使他們聽聞了究竟真理。」

14.14At this those bodhisattva mahāsattvas responded with these verses:

14.14於此，那些菩薩摩訶薩用偈頌作出了回應：

“Excellent! Excellent, great hero!

「善哉！善哉，大英雄！

We are overjoyed

我們歡喜無量

That the beings under your care have good character,

您所照顧的眾生都具有善良的品格，

Are easy to guide, easy to purify, {3}

容易被引導，容易被淨化，

“And, Guide, that those who listen

「導師，那些聆聽的人

To this your profound wisdom,

對於你這深遠的智慧，

Give rise to devotion on hearing it

聞之而生恭敬心

And become those who are guided.” {4}

而成為被引導者。{4}

14.16The Bhagavān said to those four bodhisattva mahāsattvas who were the principal figures among that great gathering of bodhisattvas, that great aggregation of bodhisattvas, [F.113.b] “Excellent, noble ones, excellent! Noble ones, your praise of the Tathāgata is excellent, excellent!”

14.16薄伽梵對那個菩薩大眾中的四位菩薩摩訶薩說，這四位菩薩摩訶薩是那個菩薩大眾的主要人物，「善哉，諸位善男子，善哉！諸位善男子，你們對如來的讚歎真是太好了，太好了！」

14.17At that moment, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya and hundreds of thousands of quintillions of other bodhisattvas, as numerous as the grains of sand in eight Ganges Rivers, thought, “A great gathering of bodhisattvas, a great aggregation of bodhisattvas has emerged from the ground, and standing before the Bhagavān has honored, revered, and pleased the Bhagavān. This is something we have never seen and never heard of before. Where did these bodhisattva mahāsattvas come from?”

14.17在那個時刻，菩薩摩訶薩彌勒菩薩和其他數百千億那由他的菩薩們，多如八恆河的沙粒，心想：「一支菩薩大眾，一個龐大的菩薩聚集從地面涌現出來，在薄伽梵面前恭敬、尊重並讓薄伽梵歡喜。這是我們從未見過、從未聽聞過的事情。這些菩薩摩訶薩是從哪裡來的呢？」

14.18The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was aware of his own doubt and uncertainty and knew in his own mind the thoughts that were in the minds of hundreds of thousands of quintillions of other bodhisattvas, as numerous as the grains of sand in eight Ganges Rivers. He placed his hands together in homage, and to the Bhagavān he expressed these thoughts in verses:

14.18彌勒菩薩摩訶薩了知自己的疑惑和不確定，也知道在其他無數菩薩的心中所懷著的念頭，那些菩薩多得如八條恆河的沙粒一樣。他合掌禮敬薄伽梵，並用偈頌向薄伽梵表達這些念頭：

“Supreme human, tell us

「至尊的人，請告訴我們

About these many hundreds of thousands

關於這許多數百萬

Of quintillions of infinite bodhisattvas

無量億那由他菩薩

Who have never appeared before. {5}

從未出現過的。{5}

“They who have great miraculous powers,

他們具有偉大的神通，

From where did they come, and how?

他們從何處而來，又是如何而來？

They who have massive bodies,

他們擁有巨大的身體，

Where did they come from? {6}

他們是從哪裡來的？

“All of these steadfast ones,

「這些所有堅定不移的人，

Great rishis who have mindfulness

具有念的大仙人

And have extremely beautiful bodies,

且擁有極為美妙的身體，

Where did they come from? {7}

他們從哪裡來？{7}

“Lord of the World, there have arrived

「世界之主，已經到來

These wise bodhisattvas, each of whom

這些智慧的菩薩們，每一位

Has an incalculable following

擁有難以計數的追隨者

As numerous as the sands of the Ganges. {8}

多如恆河沙粒。{8}

“The followers of the bodhisattvas,

「菩薩們的追隨者，

Who are renowned and are as numerous

聞名遐邇數量眾多

As the sands of sixty complete Ganges Rivers,

如六十恆河沙數般多的

Have all become fixed upon enlightenment. {9}

都已經確定成就菩提。

“The number of such heroes as these,

「像這樣的英雄的數量，

These protectors and their followers, [F.114.a]

這些護法和他們的眷屬，

Is the number of sand grains

是恆河沙數

In sixty Ganges Rivers. {10}

在六十條恆河的沙粒數量之多。{10}

“And there are even more than that:

「而且還有更多的：

Others with endless followers

其他擁有無盡眷屬的

As numerous as the grains of sand

如恆河沙粒般的數量眾多

in fifty, in forty, in thirty, {11}

在五十、在四十、在三十，{11}

“And in twenty Ganges Rivers.

「在二十條恆河的沙粒數那麼多的眾生中。

There are such numbers of assemblies of followers,

有這樣眾多的追隨者的集會，

And there are even more than that,

而且還有更多超過這些的。

As numerous as sands in ten and five Ganges Rivers. {12}

如十五恆河之沙數般眾多。{12}

“The assemblies of each of those protectors

各個那些保護者的眾會

Those sons of the buddhas‍—

那些諸佛的兒子——

Guide, assemblies such as these,

導師，像這樣的眾人，

Where have they come from? {13}

他們從何處來？{13}

“In the assemblies of the bodhisattvas

「在菩薩們的集會中

There are accompanying students

有隨學的弟子們

Who are as numerous as the sands

眾多如恆河沙粒一般

In four, three, or two Ganges, {14}

在四條、三條或二條恆河的數量中，

“And there are others far more numerous.

還有更多的眾生數量極其龐大。

There is no end to their numbers.

他們的數量無窮無盡。

It would not be possible to count them

即使在一億萬劫中，也無法計數他們。

Even in ten thousand million eons. {15}

即使經過千萬億劫也不能數完。

“There are also retinues

「還有眷屬們

Of the bodhisattvas, heroes, protectors,

菩薩們、英雄、保護者們，

That equal a half, a third, a tenth,

相等於一半、三分之一、十分之一，

Or a twentieth of the Ganges sands. {16}

或是恆河沙粒的二十分之一。{16}

“And there are others far more numerous,

「而且還有其他的菩薩們，數量遠遠更多，

And if one were to count them one by one

如果一個人逐一去計算它們

One would not be able to calculate the number of them

即使在千百萬劫中，也算不出他們的數量

Even in a thousand million eons. {17}

即使經歷千百萬劫也計算不了。{17}

“And there are others far more numerous,

「還有其他更為眾多的，

With assemblies that are numerous:

聚集著眾多的大眾：

A hundred trillion, and ten million,

百兆，再加上一千萬，

And also those that are five million. {18}

還有那些五百萬的。{18}

“There are also great rishis

還有許多大仙人

Who are bodhisattvas with great wisdom.

他們是具有偉大智慧的菩薩。

They are beyond number,

他們數量無法計算，

And all are present showing reverence. {19}

他們都在場表示恭敬。{19}

“Their followers number a thousand,

「他們的追隨者有一千人，

Or similarly a hundred, or fifty‍—

或是一百人，或是五十人——

One could not count them all

無法全部計算他們

Even in a thousand million eons. {20}

即使經過千百萬劫。{20}

“The followers of those heroes

那些英雄的追隨者

Also number twenty, or ten, or five,

也可以是二十位、十位或五位，

Or similarly four, or three, or two‍—

或者同樣是四個、三個、兩個——

One cannot count them all. {21}

無法一一計數。

“There are those who travel alone,

「有些人獨自行走，

Who find peace on their own.

獨自尋得寂靜的人。

They who have come here on this day,

那些今日來到這裡的眾生，

They also are beyond enumeration. {22}

他們也是無法計數的。{22}

“If someone were to count them for eons

「如果有人要計算他們經過多劫

As numerous as the Ganges sands

如恆河沙粒一樣眾多

Using a stick held in their hand, [F.114.b]

用手中所持的棒，

They would still not come to an end. {23}

他們仍然無法數完。{23}

“All of these great beings,

「這些偉大的眾生，

Protectors with dedication,

具有奉獻精神的保護者，

These bodhisattva heroes,

這些菩薩英雄，

Where did they come from? {24}

他們從何處而來？{24}

“Who has taught them the Dharma?

「誰為他們傳授了法？

Who has brought them to enlightenment?

誰將他們引向菩提？

Whose teaching do they delight in?

他們喜歡接受誰的教法？

Whose teachings do they hold? {25}

他們遵循誰的教法？

“This entire ground having broken open,

「這整片大地已經裂開，

Throughout all the four directions

遍滿四方

There have emerged those with great wisdom

出現了具有大智慧的人

Who are sagacious, and have miraculous powers. {26}

他們都是有智慧、具備神通的聖者。

“Muni, this world realm

牟尼，這個世界

Has been completely broken apart

已經完全破裂了

And in that way have emerged

並就這樣而出現

These fearless bodhisattvas. {27}

這些無畏的菩薩們。{27}

“What has occurred here

「這裡發生了什麼事

We have never seen before.

我們從未見過的。

Guide of the World, tell us

世界導師，請告訴我們

The name of that realm. {28}

那個界的名字。{28}

“We have been again and again

我們一次又一次地

Throughout the ten directions,

遍滿十方，

But we have never seen

但我們從未見過 </paragraph>

Such bodhisattvas as these. {29}

這樣的菩薩們。{29}

“We have never before seen

我們從前從未見過

A single one of these offspring of yours.

你們其中任何一個的孩子。

But today we have suddenly seen them.

但是今天我們突然看到了他們。

Muni, tell us of their activities. {30}

牟尼，請為我們講述他們的活動。{30}

“Tens of thousands

"數萬

Of trillions of bodhisattvas,

無數兆億的菩薩們，

All filled with astonishment,

都充滿了驚訝。

Are looking at the supreme human. {31}

正在注視著至高無上的人。{31}

“Immeasurable one, devoid of the skandhas,

「無量者，離諸蘊，

Great hero, we ask you to reveal to us,

偉大的英雄，我們懇求您向我們揭示，

Courageous one, from where have come

勇敢者，你從何處而來

These bodhisattvas who have no fear?” {32}

這些沒有恐懼的菩薩們？{32}

14.47At that time, the bhagavān tathāgata Śākyamuni’s emanations as other tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly enlightened buddhas who had arrived from a hundred thousand quintillion world realms were teaching beings in other worlds. They were sitting cross-legged on lion thrones made of precious materials at the foot of trees made of precious materials in all eight directions from the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Śākyamuni. The followers of those tathāgatas also saw a great gathering of bodhisattva mahāsattvas, [F.115.a] a great aggregation of bodhisattvas emerge from the ground, and remain suspended in the sky. They were astonished and amazed. They asked their own tathāgatas, “Bhagavān, from where did these countless, innumerable bodhisattva mahāsattvas come?”

14.47此時，薄伽梵如來釋迦牟尼的化身，那些從百千億兆個世界而來的如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺佛，正在其他世界教化眾生。他們盤坐在薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺佛釋迦牟尼四周八方用七寶製作的樹下的獅子座上。那些如來眾的弟子們也看到了大量菩薩摩訶薩的大聚集，一個龐大的菩薩聚合從地面湧出，懸浮在空中。他們非常驚訝和驚嘆。他們問自己的如來說：「薄伽梵，這無數無量的菩薩摩訶薩是從哪裡來的？」

14.48Each of those tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly enlightened buddhas said to their own followers, “Noble ones, wait a little while, because the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, whose highest, complete enlightenment has been prophesied by Bhagavān Śākyamuni, has asked Bhagavān Śākyamuni that same question. Buddha Śākyamuni is going to answer, so you should listen to him.”

14.48那些如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺佛各自對自己的眷眾說道：「諸位尊者，請稍候一下。菩薩摩訶薩彌勒菩薩已經獲得了薄伽梵釋迦牟尼的無上正等正覺授記，他向薄伽梵釋迦牟尼提出了同樣的問題。釋迦牟尼佛即將為他解答，所以你們應當傾聽。」

14.49The Bhagavān then said to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, “Ajita, this question you have asked me concerning this vast subject is excellent, Ajita, excellent!”

14.49薄伽梵隨後對菩薩摩訶薩彌勒說道：「無勝，你所問我關於這個廣大主題的問題非常出色，無勝，非常出色！」

14.50The Bhagavān now turned to the entire assembly of bodhisattvas and announced to them, “Noble ones, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha is going to teach the Tathāgata’s wisdom insight, the Tathāgata’s leadership, the Tathāgata’s activity, the Tathāgata’s displays, the Tathāgata’s expanding power, and the Tathāgata’s heroism. Therefore, noble ones, this entire assembly of bodhisattvas should be attentive, focused, and stable.”

14.50薄伽梵此時轉向整個菩薩摩訶薩的大眾，向他們宣佈說：「諸位仁者，如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺佛將要教導如來的智慧眼、如來的領導、如來的活動、如來的展現、如來的廣大力量和如來的英勇無畏。因此，諸位仁者，這整個菩薩摩訶薩的大眾應當專注、集中心意，保持穩定。」

14.51Thereupon the Bhagavān pronounced these verses:

14.51於是薄伽梵宣說偈頌：

“All you noble ones, be attentive:

「諸位尊貴的菩薩們，請注意聆聽：

I am going to speak infallible words.

我將說不謬之言。

Wise ones, do not become disheartened.

智慧的人們，不要灰心。

The wisdom of the tathāgatas is inconceivable. {33} [F.115.b]

如來的智慧是不可思議的。

“You should all be stable and mindful.

「你們都應該保持穩定和正念。」

You should all remain in a state of concentration.

你們都應該保持在禪定的狀態中。

Listen to a Dharma that has not appeared before

聽聞一個前所未有的法

And which is a marvel of the tathāgatas. {34}

這是如來眾的奇跡。{34}

“I shall establish you well in this.

我將使你們在此處獲得安穩。

None of you should have any doubt.

你們都不應該有任何懷疑。

I, the Guide, speak infallibly.

我這位導師說出的話不會有錯。

My wisdom remains forever incalculable. {35}

我的智慧永遠難以衡量。{35}

“The Sugata has realized profound dharmas,

「善逝已經證悟了深妙的法，

Which are unexaminable and unquantifiable.

是不可思議、不可量的。

I am going to teach those dharmas;

我將教導這些法；

Listen to me as to what they are and how they are.” {36}

你們要聽我說它們是什麼，以及它們是如何的。

14.55Having pronounced those verses, Bhagavān said to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, “Ajita, I declare to you, I proclaim to you, Ajita, as for these innumerable, numberless, inconceivable, unequaled, uncountable bodhisattvas whom you have never seen before, who emerged from the ground, after I had attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood in this Sahā world realm, Ajita, I inspired and developed all these bodhisattva mahāsattvas toward the highest, complete enlightenment. Noble ones, I ripened them for this bodhisattva Dharma, established them in it, and caused them to follow it, remain in it, and understand it.

14.55薄伽梵說完了這些偈頌後，對菩薩摩訶薩彌勒菩薩說道：「無勝，我向你宣說，我向你宣示，無勝，這些你從未見過的無數、無量、不可思議、無與倫比、無法計算的菩薩們，他們從地中涌出。我在這娑婆世界證得無上正等正覺圓滿佛果後，就激勵並發展了所有這些菩薩摩訶薩趨向無上正等正覺。諸位聖者，我成熟了他們對這菩薩法的認識，在這個法中建立了他們，並使他們跟隨它、安住於它，並理解它。」

14.56“Ajita, these bodhisattva mahāsattvas live in this Sahā world realm by occupying the realm of space below, where they are engaged in reciting and receiving the teachings, and correctly contemplating them.

14.56「無勝，這些菩薩摩訶薩住在這個娑婆世界，他們佔據下方的虛空之界，在那裡專心誦持和受持教法，並且正確地思惟觀察它們。

“These noble ones do not delight in the activities of society, they delight in the absence of society. Their diligence does not weaken, they apply themselves with diligence. Ajita, these noble ones delight in solitude and find pleasure in solitude. These noble ones do not live by relying upon either devas or humans. These noble ones delight in activities that are devoid of worldly gatherings, delight in the pleasure of the Dharma, and are dedicated to the wisdom of buddhahood.”

「這些高尚的人不樂於社會的活動，他們樂於遠離社會。他們的精進不會衰退，他們以精進自勉。無勝啊，這些高尚的人樂於獨處，在獨處中得到快樂。這些高尚的人不依靠天眾或人類而生活。這些高尚的人樂於遠離世俗聚集的活動，樂於法的快樂，並致力於佛智。」

14.57The Bhagavān then spoke these verses: [F.116.a]

14.57薄伽梵隨後說出了這些偈頌：

“These bodhisattvas are innumerable.

"這些菩薩無量無邊。

They are countless and beyond measure.

他們數量無邊，無法計量。

They possess miracles, wisdom, and learning,

他們具備神變、智慧和學問。

And for many millions of eons have practiced with knowledge. {37}

並在數百萬個劫以來，以智慧而修習。

“I have ripened them all for enlightenment

「我已經讓他們都證得菩提

And they dwell within my own realm.

他們都住在我的界中。

All of these I have ripened‍—

這些我都已經使他們成熟—

These bodhisattvas are my offspring. {38}

這些菩薩們是我的弟子。{38}

“They all are dedicated to solitude

「他們都致力於獨處

And reject the level of worldly gatherings.

並且遠離世俗聚集的境界。

They follow the example of my supreme conduct;

他們跟隨我殊勝的行的示範；

These children of mine practice free from worldly gatherings. {39}

這些我的孩子們修行遠離世俗集會。{39}

“They dwell in space as their habitation.

「他們以虛空為住所。

These heroes live below this realm.

這些英雄住在這個界的下方。

They perfect this supreme enlightenment,

他們圓滿了無上菩提，

Attentively dedicated day and night. {40}

日夜精勤而專注。{40}

“They are all mindful and practice diligently,

他們都念念不忘，精進修行，

And established in the immeasurable strength of wisdom.

並且證得無量的智慧力量。

All of these luminous offspring of mine

這些都是我光明的子嗣

Are teaching the Dharma fearlessly. {41}

正在無畏地宣說法。{41}

“After I attained this highest enlightenment

「我證得這無上菩提以後

At the foot of a tree by the city of Gayā,

在伽耶城附近的樹下，

I turned the unsurpassable wheel of the Dharma

我轉動了無上的法輪。

And I ripened all to this supreme enlightenment. {42}

我使所有眾生都成熟到這無上菩提。{42}

“You should all have faith when you hear

「你們都應當在聽聞時生起信心

These immaculate words of mine.

這些我純淨無垢的言語。

I have, in that way, ripened all of these

我以那種方式，使這一切都圓滿成熟

Since I attained supreme enlightenment.” {43}

自從我證得無上菩提以來。{43}

14.64The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya and the many hundred thousands of quintillions of bodhisattvas were then astonished and amazed. How could the Buddha in a moment‍—in such a short time‍—inspire and ripen for the highest, complete enlightenment all these countless bodhisattvas?

14.64菩薩摩訶薩彌勒菩薩與許多百千萬億的菩薩們當時感到驚訝和讚嘆。佛怎麼能在一瞬間——在如此短的時間內——啟發並成熟所有這些無數的菩薩們，使他們得證無上正等正覺呢？

14.65So the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya inquired of the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, when the Tathāgata was a young man, you left the Śākya town of Kapilavastu for homelessness. You went to the supreme Bodhimaṇḍa that is not very far from the city of Gayā. You attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. [F.116.b] Bhagavān, since that time until today more than forty years have passed. Bhagavān, how could the Tathāgata in such a short time as this accomplish such countless tathāgata activities as these? How did you attain the preeminence of a tathāgata, and the heroism of a tathāgata? Bhagavān, you have inspired and ripened for the highest, complete enlightenment this great gathering of bodhisattva mahāsattvas, this great aggregation of bodhisattvas, in just that amount of time. Bhagavān, one would not be able to count this great gathering of bodhisattva mahāsattvas, this great aggregation of bodhisattvas, even in a hundred thousand quintillion eons. Bhagavān, such innumerable, countless bodhisattvas have practiced celibacy for a long time, creating roots of merit under many hundreds of thousands of buddhas, and perfecting themselves over many hundreds of thousands of eons.

14.65菩薩摩訶薩彌勒菩薩於是向薄伽梵提出詢問：「薄伽梵，當如來還是年輕人時，您離開了釋迦族的迦毗羅衛城而出家。您前往距離伽耶城不遠的至高菩提座。您證得了圓滿佛果的無上正等正覺。薄伽梵，從那個時候到今日，已經過了四十多年。薄伽梵，如來怎麼可能在這麼短的時間內完成這麼多無量的如來事業呢？您怎麼證得了如來的卓越地位和如來的大力呢？薄伽梵，您在這樣短的時間裡，就啟發並引導了這個菩薩摩訶薩的大集會，這個菩薩的巨大聚集，證得了無上正等正覺。薄伽梵，即使經歷了十萬億劫，人也無法數清這個菩薩摩訶薩的大集會，這個菩薩的巨大聚集。薄伽梵，這些無量、難以計數的菩薩們已經長期修習梵行，在許多十萬諸佛之下種植了善根，並在許多十萬億劫中使自己達到了圓滿。」

14.66“Bhagavān, it is as if there were a young man, a lad of twenty-five years of age, with black hair, in the first phase of his adulthood, who revealed that he has sons that are a hundred years old. He says, ‘These noble ones are my sons; they are my sons,’ and they say, ‘This man is our father.’ Bhagavān, what they say would not be believed. It would be difficult for the world to believe them.

14.66「薄伽梵，譬如有一個年輕人，才二十五歲，烏黑的頭髮，正在青年時期，卻說他有一百歲的兒子。他說『這些高貴的人是我的兒子，是我的兒子』，他們也說『這個人是我們的父親』。薄伽梵，他們所說的話是不會被相信的。世間很難相信他們的說法。

“Bhagavān, similarly, it is not very long since you, Tathāgata, attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. These countless, innumerable bodhisattva mahāsattvas have practiced celibacy for many hundreds of thousands of eons; they have gained certainty in the wisdom of buddhahood during a long period of time; they are skilled in resting in hundreds of thousands of samādhis; [F.117.a] they have developed the great higher knowledges; they are wise in the level of buddhahood; they are skilled in teaching the dharmas of the Tathāgata; they are an amazement and wonder in this world; and they have attained great diligence, strength, and might.

「薄伽梵，同樣地，如來您獲得圓滿佛果無上正等正覺的時間並不很長。而這些無數無量的菩薩摩訶薩們已經修習梵行許多千萬億劫；他們在漫長的時期內獲得了對佛智的確定性；他們精通數千萬種三昧的安住；他們已經發展了偉大的神通；他們在佛道層次上具有智慧；他們擅長教導如來的法；他們在這個世界中是驚人和奇異的；他們已經獲得了偉大的精進、力量和威力。」

14.67“The Bhagavān has said of them, ‘I am the one who first established them on the level of being a bodhisattva; I am the one who has ripened and developed them. It is through my attainment of the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood that I have accomplished all this diligence and heroism.’

14.67「薄伽梵說過關於他們的事：『我是最初將他們安立在菩薩境地上的那一位；我是成熟和發展他們的那一位。正是通過我對無上正等正覺圓滿佛果的證悟，我才成就了這一切精進和英勇無畏。』」

“Bhagavān, we will have faith in whatever the Tathāgata says, thinking, ‘The Tathāgata speaks infallibly. The Tathāgata knows the truth.’ However, Bhagavān, those newly following in the Bodhisattvayāna will have doubts. After the Tathāgata has passed into nirvāṇa, they will hear this Dharma teaching and they will not believe it, will not have faith in it, and will not be attracted to it. Therefore, Bhagavān, they will accrue the karma of rejecting the Dharma.

「薄伽梵，我們會對如來所說的一切有信心，心想『如來說話無誤，如來知道真實』。然而，薄伽梵，那些新近追隨菩薩乘的人會有疑惑。在如來進入涅槃以後，他們聽到這個法教，就不會相信它，不會對它有信心，也不會被它吸引。因此，薄伽梵，他們將積累拒絕法教的業。」

14.68“Therefore, Bhagavān, explain the meaning of this well, so that we will not have any kind of doubt in this Dharma, and so that in the future time, when noble men and noble women who are on the Bodhisattvayāna hear it, they will not doubt it.”

14.68「因此，薄伽梵，請為我們解釋這個譬喻的意義，使我們對這個法教不會有任何疑惑，並且在未來的時代，當那些在菩薩乘上的善男子和善女人聽聞時，他們也不會產生疑惑。」

14.69The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya then addressed these verses to the Bhagavān:

14.69菩薩摩訶薩彌勒菩薩於是向薄伽梵說出了這些偈頌：

“You were born in Kapilāhvaya,

「您出生在迦毗羅衛，

But then you renounced the residence of the Śākyas,

但是你後來捨棄了釋迦族人的住處，

And attained enlightenment by the city of Gayā.

並在伽耶城獲得了菩提。

Lord of the World, it has not been long since then. {44}

世界之主，從那時以來還沒有很久。

“These fearless ones and many others in this great crowd

「這些無所畏懼的眾生以及這大眾中的許多其他眾生

Have practiced for millions of eons.

已經修行了數百萬劫。

They are unwaveringly established in miraculous powers.

他們在神通中堅定不移地確立了自己。

Excellently learned, they have realized the power of wisdom. {45}

他們學問淵博，已經證得智慧的力。

“Like lotuses on water that are unstained, [F.117.b]

「猶如水中蓮華，不為水所染，

Today they have arrived when the earth split apart.

今日他們在大地裂開時到達。

They all stand respectfully with hands together in homage,

他們都恭敬地站立，雙手合十禮敬。

These mindful offspring of the Lord of the World. {46}

這些念誦世界主宰之子孫的菩薩們。{46}

“How can the bodhisattvas believe

"菩薩們怎樣才能相信

In such a marvel of yours as this?

怎能相信這樣的奇蹟呢？

Tell us so that doubts will be overcome.

告訴我們，這樣疑惑就能消除了。

Teach the meaning of this exactly as it is. {47}

請依照原本的道理詳細教導。{47}

“It is as if there were a person,

「譬如有一個人，

A youth, a young lad with black hair

一位年輕人，一個長著黑髮的少年

Who was born just over twenty years before,

才剛出生二十多年的人，

Who introduces hundred-year-old men as his sons. {48}

他向人介紹百歲的老人是他的兒子。

“They are wrinkled, with white hair, and they say,

「他們滿臉皺紋，頭髮花白，他們說道，

‘This is the one who has fathered us.’

「這是生育我們的人。」

Lord of the World, it would be difficult to believe

世界的主人，這很難令人相信

That such men as those could be the youth’s sons. {49}

這樣的人怎麼可能是那個年輕人的兒子呢。{49}

“In the same way, the Bhagavān is like that young man,

「同樣地，薄伽梵就像那個年輕人，

While these numerous bodhisattvas who have knowledge,

這些無數具有智慧的菩薩們，

And are mindful, fearless, and endowed with wisdom,

他們是有念、無畏、具足智慧的。

Have trained excellently for billions of eons. {50}

已經在數十億劫中修習得非常圓滿。{50}

“They have stability, skill in wisdom,

他們具有穩定性，精通智慧的技巧，

Are all good looking and beautiful,

都長得美貌端莊。

Have certainty in the Dharma, are fearless,

對法有確信，無所恐懼，

And are praised by the guides of the worlds. {51}

並且受到各世界的導師們讚揚。{51}

“They travel around unimpeded like the wind.

他們像風一樣暢通無阻地到處遊行。

They dwell constantly in the realm of space.

他們常住在虛空界中。

These progeny of the Sugata are diligent

善逝的子孫們都很精進

In seeking this enlightenment of buddhahood. {52}

在追求佛道的菩提中。

“We do not give rise to any doubts whatsoever,

「我們不會產生任何疑惑，」

We who hear these words directly from the Lord of the World,

我們這些直接聽聞世界之王說法的人，

But after the Guide of the World has entered nirvāṇa

但在世界的導師涅槃之後

How will beings be able to believe in this? {53}

眾生怎樣才能相信這一切呢？{53}

“Bodhisattvas will go to the lower realms

菩薩們將前往下界

Through having doubts about this matter.

因為對此事有疑惑。

Bhagavān, elucidate for us

薄伽梵，請為我們闡明這一點。

In what way you ripened these bodhisattvas.” {54}

你以什麼方式使這些菩薩們成熟。{54}

14.80This concludes “The Bodhisattvas Emerging Out of the Ground,” the fourteenth chapter of the Dharma teaching of “The White Lotus of the Good Dharma.” [B10] [F.118.a]

14.80（結尾）