The Parable
譬喻
3.1Then at that time, Śāriputra felt contented, delighted, elated, and joyful. With happiness and gladness he bowed with palms together toward the Bhagavān. Facing the Bhagavān, gazing solely upon the Bhagavān, he said to the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, I am astonished and amazed. I am overjoyed to have heard this kind of speech from the Bhagavān.
3.1那時，舍利弗心中感到滿足，喜悅，歡欣，和快樂。他歡喜雀躍，合掌向薄伽梵頂禮。面向薄伽梵，一心專注地凝視著薄伽梵，對薄伽梵說道：「薄伽梵，我感到驚奇和驚嘆。能夠聽聞薄伽梵說出這樣的言語，我感到無比喜樂。
3.2“Why is that? Bhagavān, it is because I have never heard this kind of Dharma from the Bhagavān. When I saw other bodhisattvas and heard the names of the buddhas that those bodhisattvas will become in the future, and yet, still had not heard this kind of Dharma teaching from the Bhagavān, I imagined that I was deprived of that kind of vision of the tathāgatas’ wisdom, and was extremely grieved and extremely distressed. [F.25.a]
3.2"為什麼呢？薄伽梵，那是因為我從未從薄伽梵那裡聽聞過這樣的法。當我看到其他菩薩，聽到那些菩薩將來會成為的諸佛的名號，可是仍然沒有從薄伽梵那裡聽聞過這樣的法教時，我就想像自己被剝奪了那種見到如來眾智慧的機會，感到極其悲傷和極其痛苦。"
“Bhagavān, whenever I went to stay alone in mountains, caves, forests, groves, river banks, or the foot of trees, and many other places for my daytime rest, I thought, ‘Everyone enters the nature of the Dharma equally, but we are being liberated by the Bhagavān through the Hīnayāna.’
「薄伽梵，我無論何時獨自前往山地、洞穴、森林、樹林、河邊或樹根下等許多地方進行白天的休息，我就會想到，『眾生都平等地進入法的本性，但我們卻被薄伽梵通過小乘而解脫。』
3.3“At that time I thought, ‘The fault is ours, the fault is not the Bhagavān’s.’ Why is that? If we had stayed when the Bhagavān was teaching the excellent Dharma, commencing with the highest, complete enlightenment, then, Bhagavān, we also would have been liberated in that Dharma. Also, Bhagavān, when the bodhisattvas were not present, we did not understand the Bhagavān’s teaching that had an implied meaning. We immediately heard, retained, meditated on, contemplated, and focused upon the first Dharma teaching given by the Tathāgata. Bhagavān, I have reprimanded myself for that day and night.
3.3「那時我想：『這是我們的過失，不是薄伽梵的過失。』為什麼呢？如果我們當時停留在薄伽梵宣說殊勝的法教，始於無上正等正覺的地方，那麼，薄伽梵啊，我們也會在那個法中得到解脫。另外，薄伽梵啊，當菩薩們不在場時，我們沒有理解薄伽梵那具有隱含意義的教法。我們立即聽聞、受持、思惟、觀察並專注於如來最初給予的法教。薄伽梵啊，我為了那一天一夜而責備自己。」
3.4“Bhagavān, I have heard from the Bhagavān this marvelous Dharma that I have never heard before. Bhagavān, today I have attained nirvāṇa. Bhagavān, today I have become calmed. Bhagavān, today I have attained complete nirvāṇa. Bhagavān, today I have attained arhathood. Bhagavān, today I have become the Bhagavān’s principal son, born from his heart and mouth, born from the Dharma, emanated from the Dharma, descended from the Dharma, and created from the Dharma. [F.25.b] Today I have become freed from sorrow.”
3.4「薄伽梵，我從薄伽梵這裡聽到了我從未聽聞過的妙妙法。薄伽梵，今天我已證得涅槃。薄伽梵，今天我已得到寂靜。薄伽梵，今天我已證得圓滿涅槃。薄伽梵，今天我已證得阿羅漢果。薄伽梵，今天我已成為薄伽梵的上首弟子，生自其心口，生自法，由法流出，由法而下，由法造就。今天我已得到解脫憂苦。」
3.5Then at that time Brother Śāriputra addressed these verses to the Bhagavān:
3.5那時舍利弗尊者向薄伽梵說出這些偈頌：
3.27In response to these words from Brother Śāriputra, the Bhagavān said to him, “Śāriputra, before the world and its devas, with its Māra and Brahmā, its mendicants and brahmins, I declare to you, and reveal to you, Śāriputra, in the presence of twenty hundred thousand quintillion buddhas, that I have ripened you for complete enlightenment.
3.27薄伽梵對舍利弗說：「舍利弗，我在世界和天眾、魔王和梵天、沙門和婆羅門面前，向你宣說、向你顯示，舍利弗，在二十百千億那由他佛的面前，我已經讓你成熟於無上正等正覺。」
“Śāriputra, you have been my follower for a long time. Śāriputra, it is through the bodhisattva instructions and the great secret of the bodhisattvas that you have appeared here within my teaching.
「舍利弗，你長久以來一直是我的弟子。舍利弗，正是通過菩薩的教誨和菩薩們的大祕密，你才在我的教法中顯現於此。」
3.28“Śāriputra, you do not remember your past conduct, prayers, bodhisattva instructions, and great bodhisattva secret, formed through your firm bodhisattva resolve. You have thus thought, ‘I have attained nirvāṇa.’
3.28「舍利弗，你不記得你過去的行、願、菩薩教法，以及透過你堅定的菩薩誓願所形成的偉大菩薩秘密。因此你認為『我已經證得涅槃』。
“Śāriputra, I wish to make you remember and understand your past conduct, prayers, and wisdom. So I will teach to the śrāvakas this great, extensive sūtra, the Dharma teaching of The White Lotus of the Good Dharma, which is an instruction for bodhisattvas, and is possessed by all the buddhas.
「舍利弗，我要使你想起並理解你過去的行為、願力和智慧。因此，我將為聲聞眾講述這部偉大、廣大的經典《妙法蓮華經》，這是菩薩的教法，也是一切諸佛所具足的法教。」
3.29“Śāriputra, in this way in the future, during countless, innumerable, incalculable eons, you will be the holder of the Dharma of many hundred thousand quintillions of tathāgatas, make all kinds of offerings to them, and perfectly complete these practices of the bodhisattva, and then you will appear in the world as the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha, the one with perfect wisdom and conduct, the sugata, the knower of the world, the unsurpassable guide who tames beings, the teacher of gods and humans, the buddha, the bhagavān named Padmaprabha.
3.29舍利弗，你在未來無數無量無邊的劫裡，將會是許多百千億兆如來的法教的持有者，對他們做各種供養，圓滿完成菩薩的這些修行，然後你將在世間出現為如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士調御丈夫、天人師、佛、薄伽梵，名號為蓮華光。
3.30“Śāriputra, at that time, the bhagavān tathāgata Padmaprabha will have a realm named Virajā, [F.27.a] which will be level, delightful, good, beautiful, pure, prosperous, wealthy, peaceful, with an abundance of food, and filled with many humans and maruts. The ground will be beryl, divided eightfold like a checkerboard by golden cords, and within each square there will be jewel trees, which will always be adorned by flowers and fruits made of the seven precious materials.
3.30「舍利弗，那時薄伽梵如來蓮華光佛將有一個名為無垢的國界，平坦、令人喜悅、良善、美麗、清淨、繁榮、富饒、寂靜，食物豐富，充滿了許多人類和風天。大地是琉璃所成，被黃金繩索分成八等份，如棋盤一般排列，每個方格中都有寶樹，常常以由七寶製成的花朵和果實所莊嚴。」
3.31“Śāriputra, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Padmaprabha will teach the Dharma beginning with the three yānas. Moreover, Śāriputra, although that tathāgata will not appear during an eon of degeneration, he will nevertheless teach the Dharma in accordance with his previous prayers.
3.31「舍利弗，如來、阿羅漢、正等覺蓮華光佛將以三乘開始教授法。再者，舍利弗，雖然那位如來不會在劫濁的時代出現，但他仍然將根據他過去的願力而教授法。」
“Śāriputra, the name of that eon will be Adorned by Great Jewels. Śāriputra, why do you think that eon will be called Adorned by Great Jewels? Śāriputra, in that realm the bodhisattvas will be called great jewels (mahāratna), and at that time, in that era, in the realm Virajā there will appear so many bodhisattvas that they will be countless, incalculable, innumerable; only a tathāgata will be able to count them. That is why that eon will be called Adorned by Great Jewels.
「舍利弗，那個劫的名字將被稱為『大寶莊嚴』。舍利弗，你認為那個劫為什麼被稱為『大寶莊嚴』呢？舍利弗，在那個佛國中，菩薩們將被稱為大寶，而且那時，在那個時代，在無垢界中將出現極多的菩薩，數量無窮無盡，難以計算，難以估量；只有如來才能夠計數他們。這就是為什麼那個劫被稱為『大寶莊嚴』。」
3.32“Śāriputra, at that time the bodhisattvas in that buddha realm will be stepping upon jewel lotuses when they walk. Those bodhisattvas will not be novices, but will have practiced the roots of merit for a long time, practiced celibacy with many hundreds of thousands of buddhas, been praised by the tathāgatas, been dedicated to the wisdom of buddhahood, given rise to the development of the great higher knowledges, become skilled in all the ways of the Dharma, and will be kind and mindful.
3.32「舍利弗，那時在那個佛國中的菩薩們，行走時都踏在珍寶蓮華上。那些菩薩們不會是初學者，而是長期修習善根、跟隨數百千萬尊佛修持梵行、受到如來的稱讚、志向於佛的智慧、發起了殊勝神通的修行、精通一切佛法的方式，且具有慈悲和正念。」
3.33“Śāriputra, that buddha realm will be filled by that kind of bodhisattva. [F.27.b]
3.33「舍利弗，那個佛國將會充滿了這樣的菩薩。
“Śāriputra, the lifespan of Tathāgata Padmaprabha will be twelve intermediate eons, not counting his youth. The lifespan of the beings there will be eight intermediate eons.
「舍利弗，蓮華光如來的壽命為十二中劫，不計其年少之時。那裡眾生的壽命為八中劫。
3.34“Śāriputra, when those twelve intermediate eons have passed, Tathāgata Padmaprabha will say, ‘Bhikṣus, this bodhisattva mahāsattva named Dhṛtiparipūrṇa will be next to attain the highest, complete enlightenment of buddhahood and will appear in the world as the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha, the one with perfect wisdom and conduct, the sugata, the knower of the world, the unsurpassable guide who tames beings, the teacher of gods and humans, the buddha, the bhagavān named Padmavṛṣabhavikrāmin.’ After he gives to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Dhṛtiparipūrṇa the prophecy of his highest, complete enlightenment, he will then pass into nirvāṇa.
3.34舍利弗，當那十二個中劫過去後，蓮華光如來將對比丘眾說：「比丘們，這位菩薩摩訶薩名叫堅滿，將於次第獲得無上正等正覺的佛道，並作為如來、阿羅漢、正等覺、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士調御丈夫、天人師、佛、薄伽梵，名叫蓮華牛勇猛行者出現於世間。」蓮華光如來對菩薩摩訶薩堅滿給予無上正等正覺的授記之後，將趣入涅槃。
3.35“Śāriputra, the buddha realm of Tathāgata Padmavṛṣabhavikrāmin will have the same appearance as that of Padmaprabha.
3.35「舍利弗，如來蓮華牛王奮迅的佛國，其外觀將與蓮華光如來的佛國相同。」
“Śāriputra, after Tathāgata Padmaprabha passes into nirvāṇa the Dharma will remain for thirty-two intermediate eons, and then the outer form of the Dharma will remain for another thirty-two intermediate eons.”
「舍利弗，如來蓮華光入涅槃後，正法住世三十二中劫，像法住世又三十二中劫。」
3.36Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:
3.36薄伽梵於是說偈頌：
3.46Then the fourfold assembly of bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās, as well as devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, having heard directly from the Bhagavān this prophecy of Brother Śāriputra’s highest, complete enlightenment, were contented, delighted, elated, and joyful. With happiness and gladness they presented the Bhagavān’s body with their own clothing. Śakra, the lord of devas, and Brahmā, the lord of Sahā, and another trillion devas also presented the Bhagavān’s body with divine clothing. They scattered divine coral tree and great coral tree flowers. [F.28.b] They waved divine cloths in the sky above him. They played a hundred thousand divine musical instruments and beat drums in the sky. A great rain of flowers fell and they proclaimed, “The Bhagavān previously turned the wheel of Dharma in the Ṛṣipatana deer forest in the land of Vārāṇasī, and on this day the Bhagavān has turned the highest Dharma wheel.”
3.46當時四眾弟子——比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，以及天眾、龍眾、藥叉眾、乾闥婆眾、阿修羅眾、迦樓羅眾、緊那羅眾、摩睺羅伽眾、人及非人，從薄伽梵那裡直接聽聞舍利弗兄長將證得無上正等正覺的授記，都心滿意足，欣喜雀躍，無比快樂。他們懷著歡樂和欣慶的心情，用自己的衣著供養薄伽梵的身體。釋提桓因、諸天之主，以及梵天、娑婆之主，還有另外一萬億天眾，也用天衣供養薄伽梵的身體。他們灑下天柘樹花和大柘樹花。他們在他上空揮舞著天布。他們在空中演奏了十萬種天樂器，擊打起天鼓。花雨紛紛落下，他們宣告說：「薄伽梵從前曾在波羅奈斯國的仙人住處鹿野苑轉過法輪，到了今天，薄伽梵已經轉了最殊勝的法輪。」
3.47At that time those devas recited these verses:
3.47那時那些天眾詠誦了這些偈頌：
3.53Then Brother Śāriputra said to the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, I have directly heard from the Bhagavān the prophecy of my attaining the highest, complete enlightenment. Bhagavān, I have no doubt. I am free of uncertainty.
3.53那時舍利弗尊者對薄伽梵說道：「薄伽梵，我親從薄伽梵那裡聽聞了我將證得無上正等正覺的授記。薄伽梵，我沒有任何疑惑。我已經解脫了一切不確定性。」
“Bhagavān, these one thousand two hundred who have gained self-control were previously established as students by the Bhagavān, and were instructed thus, were taught thus: ‘Bhikṣus, the ultimate conclusion of the discipline of the Dharma is the transcendence of birth, aging, sickness, and death, the goal of nirvāṇa, being absorbed in nirvāṇa.’ [F.29.a] Bhagavān, these bhikṣus, both those training and trained, have renounced the view of self, the view of production, the view of destruction, and all views. All of these two thousand śrāvakas of the Bhagavān think, ‘I reside on the level of nirvāṇa.’
「薄伽梵，這一千二百位已得自在的人，從前被薄伽梵立為學生，並如此教導、如此訓練：『比丘們，修習法的紀律最終的結論是超越生、老、病、死，涅槃的目標，安住於涅槃。』薄伽梵，這些比丘，包括正在修學的和已經修成的，都捨棄了自我的見解、生成的見解、滅去的見解，以及一切見解。薄伽梵的所有這兩千位聲聞眾都認為：『我安住在涅槃的境界中。』」
3.54“Having heard from the Bhagavān this kind of Dharma, which they have never heard before, they are puzzled. Bhagavān, so that the fourfold assembly will be without doubt, and without uncertainty, and so that these bhikṣus will have their worries dispelled, I beseech the Bhagavān to teach them well.”
3.54「聲聞眾聽聞薄伽梵說這樣的法，是從前未曾聽聞過的，因此感到困惑。薄伽梵啊，為了使四眾弟子沒有疑惑，沒有不確定，使這些比丘的憂慮得到消除，我懇請薄伽梵為他們好好宣說教法。」
The Bhagavān said to Brother Śāriputra, “Śāriputra, knowing the different aspirations and different thoughts and natures of beings, a tathāgata, arhat, perfectly enlightened buddha teaches the Dharma through various accomplishments, causes, reasons, parables, supports, definitions, and skillful methods in this way. Commencing with the highest, complete enlightenment, through all the teaching of the Dharma he inspires them to enter into this very Bodhisattvayāna. Have I not already taught you this earlier?
薄伽梵對舍利弗說：「舍利弗，如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛了知眾生的不同志向和不同思想及本性，就通過各種成就、因、理由、譬喻、支持、定義和方便來這樣教授法。從無上正等正覺開始，通過對法的所有教導，他啟發他們進入菩薩乘。我不是已經早先教過你這些嗎？」
3.55“However, Śāriputra, in order to teach that meaning extensively I shall teach you parables. Why is that? Some wise individuals will understand through parables the meaning of what has been said.
3.55「然而，舍利弗，為了廣大地闡述那個意義，我將為你講述譬喻。為什麼呢？有些智慧的人將會通過譬喻來理解已經說過的意義。」
“As a parable, Śāriputra, in a village, a town, a market town, a district, a region, a country, or a capital, there was a householder who was old, an elder, advanced in years, aged, and was rich, wealthy, and had many possessions. His home was tall and extensive. It had been built a long time ago and had deteriorated. A hundred, two hundred, three, four, or five hundred people lived in it. It had only one entranceway. It was roofed with hay. Its terrace was crumbling. [F.29.b] The bases of its pillars were rotten. The walls and doors were disintegrating. A great fire started suddenly throughout the house from all sides. The man had many sons—five, ten, or twenty—and the man came out from the house. Śāriputra, the man then saw the great fire burning everywhere throughout his house. He was frightened and dismayed. He thought, ‘I have not been touched, I have not been burned by this great fire. I was able to quickly escape from the burning house through the door. But my sons, who are young, who are children, are engaged in enjoying themselves playing games inside the burning house. They are not aware that the house is burning, they have not understood it, do not know it, have not realized it, and so they will be burned in this great fire, and will experience great suffering. But they are not dismayed at the thought of being touched by that great fire, they do not think of that suffering, and do not think of escaping from the house.’
「舍利弗，譬如有一村落、城鎮、市集、地區、領地、國家或首都，住著一位老年的居士，是個長者，年紀已高，年邁蒼老，且家財萬貫，擁有眾多財產。他的家宅高大寬敞，建造於很久之前，已經殘破不堪。裡面住著一百、二百、三百、四百或五百人。房子只有一個出入口。屋頂用稻草覆蓋，露台正在崩裂。支柱的基礎已經腐爛。牆壁和門戶正在瓦解。突然間，一場大火從四面八方熊熊燃燒起來，蔓延整個房子。這個人有很多兒子——五個、十個或二十個——這個人從房子裡跑了出來。舍利弗，這個人看到熊熊大火在整個房子裡到處燃燒，他感到害怕和驚恐。他想到：『我沒有被這場大火燒傷，我能夠迅速地從燃燒的房子逃出來。但是我的兒子們，年紀還小，都是小孩子，他們正在燃燒的房子裡沉迷於遊戲和娛樂。他們沒有察覺到房子在燃燒，沒有理解，不知道，沒有意識到，所以他們會在這場大火中被燒傷，會經歷巨大的痛苦。但是他們對於被大火燒傷的想法並不害怕，他們不想著那種痛苦，也不想著逃離房子。』」
3.56“Śāriputra, the man was very strong and had very strong arms. He thought, ‘I am strong and I have strong arms. I shall gather all the children together and carry them on my hips out from the house.’ Then he thought, ‘The house has only one door and that door is narrow. These young ones don’t stay still, are always running around, so I won’t be able to bring them out, and there will be the disaster of their agony in the great fire. So I should call out to them.’
3.56「舍利弗，那個人力氣很大，兩臂非常有力。他想道：『我力量強大，雙臂有力。我應該把所有的孩子聚集在一起，抱著他們坐在我的臀部上，從房子裡帶出來。』隨後他又想道：『房子只有一扇門，那扇門又很狹窄。這些小孩子不肯靜靜地坐著，總是四處亂跑，所以我沒辦法把他們都帶出來，而且還會有他們在大火中遭受苦難的危險。所以我應該大聲呼喚他們。』」
3.57“Then he called out to the children, ‘There is a massive fire burning the house! Everything inside is going to be burned in this great fire! You will suffer disastrously! Children, come here! Come out!’
3.57「那時他對孩子們喊道：『有一場大火在燒房子！裡面的一切都要被這場大火燒掉了！你們會遭受極大的苦難！孩子們，到這裡來！趕快出來！』」
“The man gave that command wishing to help them, but the children, not knowing what ‘burning’ meant were not dismayed, not frightened, and not terrified. [F.30.a] They did not think about it and did not come out, but ran and scampered around here and there, repeatedly looking out at their father. Why was that? They were like that because they were children.
"那個人發出了這個命令，想要幫助他們。但是孩子們不知道『燃燒』是什麼意思，所以沒有感到驚慌，沒有害怕，也沒有恐懼。他們沒有想到這件事，也沒有出來，反而四處跑來跑去，一再地看著他們的父親。這是為什麼呢？他們會這樣是因為他們還是孩子。"
3.58“Then the man thought, ‘A great fire is burning this house. My children and I are going to be afflicted disastrously by this great fire. But if I use a skillful method I will be able to bring the children out of the house.’
3.58「那時，這個人想：『一場大火正在燒這所房子。我和我的孩子們將要被這場大火所折磨。但是，如果我使用方便，我就能夠把孩子們帶出房子。』」
“The man knew what his children thought. He understood that they would wish for many different kinds of amusements, and many different kinds of things: a variety of delightful, desirable, pleasing, beautiful, and charming and pleasant things, which would be difficult to find.
那個男人知道他的孩子們在想什麼。他理解到他們會希望得到很多不同種類的娛樂和東西：各式各樣令人喜愛、令人嚮往、令人滿意、美妙、迷人和快樂的東西，這些東西很難找到。
3.59“Then the man, knowing their thoughts, called to the children, ‘Those toys that you delight in and marvel at, and that you are unhappy not to have obtained, which have many different colors and shapes, such as an ox-drawn cart, a goat-drawn cart, and a deer-drawn cart, which you think are delightful, desirable, pleasing, beautiful, charming, and pleasant, those I have placed outside at the entrance door of the house outside so that you can play with them. So come, run outside, and I will give each of you whatever you want. So come quickly for that reason!’
3.59那時，那個人知道了孩子們的心思，就向他們大聲呼喚說：「你們喜歡的、驚奇的那些玩具，就是你們沒有得到時會感到不快樂的那些東西，這些東西有各種不同的顏色和形狀，比如牛車、羊車和鹿車，你們認為這些東西很令人高興、很令人渴望、很令人滿意、很美麗、很迷人、很舒適。我已經把這些都放在房子外面門口的地方了，讓你們能夠用來玩耍。來吧，跑到外面去，我會給你們每一個人你們想要的東西。所以你們趕快來吧！」
3.60“Those children, hearing that and the names of those things that they wished for, that they longed for, which they thought delightful, desirable, pleasing, beautiful, charming, and pleasant, in order to play with those things, quickly and zealously ran out from the burning house with great speed, calling out to each other, ‘Who will be first? Who will be first of all?’ And as one body they quickly came running out of the burning house.
3.60「那些孩子聽到了那些他們想要、渴望、認為喜悅、可欲、令人愉快、美麗、迷人和舒適的東西的名字，為了要玩那些東西，就迅速而熱切地以很快的速度從燃燒的房子裡跑了出來，彼此呼喊著：『誰會是第一個？誰會是最先的？』就這樣，他們如同一體般迅速地一起從燃燒的房子裡跑了出來。」
3.61“Then the man saw that they had come out safe and well, and were no longer in danger. Then they came to the village square, in the open air. He was delighted and joyful. He was free of sorrow, untroubled and unafraid. [F.30.b]
3.61「那時，那個人看到孩子們已經安全地走了出來，身體安康，不再處於危險之中。他們來到了村廣場，在空曠的地方。他感到歡喜和喜樂。他沒有憂愁，心無煩惱，也不害怕。」
“Then the children went to their father and said, ‘Father, give to us the various kinds of toys for playing with, such as an ox-drawn cart, a goat-drawn cart, and a deer-drawn cart.’
「那時孩子們來到父親面前說：『父親，請給我們各種各樣的玩具，比如牛車、羊車和鹿車。』」
3.62“Then, Śāriputra, the man gave all his sons carts drawn by powerful oxen that were as fast as the wind. The carts were made of the seven precious materials. They had seats. They had strings of small bells attached. They were high and stable. They were adorned with marvelous, amazing jewels. They were beautified by strings of jewels. They were decorated with flower garlands. They had cotton-filled cushions covered with calico and silk, and red backrests on both sides. Yoked to them were dazzling white oxen that were swift and that were held by many men. They had banners. He gave to each of his children an ox-drawn cart that was as fast as the wind.
3.62「舍利弗，那時那個人給了所有兒子們由強大的牛所拉動、速度如風一樣快的車。這些車是用七寶製成的。車上有座位。車上掛著一串串的小鈴鐺。車身高大穩固。用奇妙驚人的寶石裝飾。用寶珠串裝飾得很美麗。用花環裝飾。車上有棉花填充的坐墊，蓋著細布和絲綢，兩邊有紅色的靠背。拉車的是閃閃發光的白牛，動作迅速，由許多人牽引。車上有旗幟。他給每一個兒子都賜予了一輛由牛拉動、速度如風一樣快的車。」
3.63“Śāriputra, what was the reason for that? The man was rich, wealthy, and had many treasuries. He thought, ‘There is no reason why I should give inferior carts to my children. Why is that? All these children are my sons. All of them are dear and precious to me. If I have such great carts, I should treat them all equally, and not unequally. I have many treasuries, so not to speak of my own sons alone, I should give all beings this kind of great cart.’ Then at that time those children, astonished and amazed, climbed onto those great carts.
3.63「舍利弗，那個人為什麼要這樣做呢？這個人很富有，家財萬貫，擁有許多寶藏。他想：『我沒有理由給我的孩子們較差的車。為什麼呢？所有這些孩子都是我的兒子。他們對我來說都是珍貴和寶貴的。既然我擁有這樣偉大的車，我應該對他們一視同仁，而不是區別對待。我有許多寶藏，更何況只是我自己的兒子，我應該給所有眾生這樣的偉大車。』那時，這些孩子們驚訝萬分，爬上了那些偉大的車。」
“Śāriputra, what do you think? In that way, the man first promised three carts to those children, but afterward gave them all such great carts, magnificent carts. Does that mean that the man would be a liar?” [F.31.a]
「舍利弗，你認為如何？那個人起初對孩子們承諾了三種車，後來卻給了他們這樣的大車、殊勝的車。這是否意味著那個人會是說謊的人呢？」
3.64“No, Bhagavān, he would not be,” answered Śāriputra. “Sugata, it is not like that. The man through employing that skillful method brought those children out from the burning house in order to save their lives. That would not be a reason for his being a liar. Why is that? Bhagavān, it was only through saving their own bodies that they could obtain all those toys, and, Bhagavān, the man did not give just one cart to his children. Therefore, Bhagavān, the man was not a liar. Why is that? Bhagavān, first the man thought, ‘Using a skillful method I shall save the children from immense suffering.’ Because of that approach, the man would not be a liar. That man had many treasuries and he thought of his children with affection, and wished to delight them. Not to speak of just giving them a great cart, he gave each one a cart with the same colors. Therefore, Bhagavān, the man would not be a liar.”
3.64舍利弗回答說：「薄伽梵，不是這樣的。善逝，那個人用方便之法把那些孩子們從燃燒的房子裡救了出來，以拯救他們的生命。這不是他說謊的理由。為什麼呢？薄伽梵，只有通過拯救他們自己的生身，他們才能得到所有那些玩具。薄伽梵，那個人並不是只給他的孩子們一輛車。因此，薄伽梵，那個人不是說謊的人。為什麼呢？薄伽梵，那個人起初想：『我用方便之法來把孩子們從巨大的苦難中拯救出來。』因為有了這樣的想法，那個人就不會是說謊的人。那個人有很多的寶藏，他疼愛他的孩子們，想要讓他們高興。不僅僅是給他們一輛大車，他給每一個孩子都給了一輛顏色相同的車。因此，薄伽梵，那個人不是說謊的人。」
3.65When he had said that, the Bhagavān commended Śāriputra, “Excellent, excellent, Śāriputra! It is so, Śāriputra! It is exactly as you have said! In that same way a tathāgata, arhat, perfectly enlightened buddha saves from all dangers, all violence, troubles, harm, suffering, unhappiness, the darkness of ignorance, the obscuration of the dark of blindness, and being in bondage.
3.65佛讚歎舍利弗說："善哉，善哉，舍利弗！正是如此，舍利弗！完全如你所說！同樣地，如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛救度眾生脫離一切危險、一切暴力、煩惱、傷害、苦、不樂、無明的黑暗、盲障的遮蔽，以及束縛。"
3.66“A tathāgata has wisdom, strengths, fearlessnesses, and the unique qualities of a buddha. He has great power through miraculous powers. He is a father to the world. He has reached the perfection of the supreme wisdom of skill in great methods. [F.31.b] He has great compassion. He has an untiring mind. He wishes to benefit. He is compassionate. He appears in the three realms that are like a house with a ruined upper story and roof burning with a great mass of suffering, and he liberates from desire, anger, and ignorance those beings who undergo birth, aging, illness, death, misery, wailing, suffering, unhappiness, the darkness of ignorance, the obscuration of the dark of blindness, and being in bondage, in order to bring them to the highest, complete enlightenment.
3.66如來具有智慧、力、無畏和佛十力。他通過神通具有大力。他是世界的父親。他已經達到了大方便的無上智慧的圓滿。他具有大悲心。他心念不疲。他願意利益他人。他充滿悲心。他出現在三界，如同一座上層樓頂燃燒著大量苦難的敗壞房舍，他從貪欲、瞋怒和無明中解救那些經歷生、老、病、死、愁、悲、苦、憂，以及無明的黑暗、盲目的黑暗障礙和束縛的眾生，以便將他們帶向無上正等正覺。
3.67“As soon as he appears he sees the beings who are being burned, roasted, pained, and tormented by birth, aging, illness, death, misery, wailing, suffering, and unhappiness. For the sake of pleasures, with their desire as the cause and basis, they experience many forms of suffering. In this lifetime their grasping is the basis for experiencing in their next life many kinds of sufferings in the hells, as animals, and in the realm of Yama.
3.67「他一出現就看到那些眾生被生、老、病、死、憂悲、苦惱、不樂所燒烤、煎熬、痛苦、折磨。為了追求快樂，以貪欲為因緣和基礎，他們經歷許多種苦難。在今生他們的執取成為基礎，使他們在來世在地獄、畜生道和閻魔界經歷許多種苦難。」
3.68“The devas and humans experience the suffering of being poor, encountering what is unpleasant, and being separated from what is pleasant. While circling within a great mass of suffering, they take pleasure in amusements, are not afraid, are not terrified, and cannot be made to be terrified; they do not understand, are not aware, are not troubled, and do not wish to leave.
3.68「天眾和人類經歷貧窮的苦、遭遇不悅意的苦，以及與愉悅之物分離的苦。在龐大的苦難中輪迴，他們沉溺於娛樂之中，不感到害怕，不感到驚懼，也不能被驚懼；他們不理解，沒有覺知，不感到擾亂，也不希望離開。」
“They amuse themselves in the three realms, which are like a burning house, running back and forth. Even though they are afflicted by that great mass of suffering, they do not see it or identify it as suffering.
「他們在三界中嬉樂，三界如同一座著火的房屋，眾生在其中奔跑往來。即使被那巨大的苦難所折磨，他們卻看不到它，也認不出那是苦。」
3.69“This, Śāriputra, is how a tathāgata sees: I am the father of these beings. I will liberate these beings from this mass of suffering. I shall give to these beings the inconceivable, incalculable bliss of the wisdom of buddhahood, which they will delight in, enjoy, take pleasure in, and amuse themselves with. [F.32.a]
3.69「舍利弗，如來是這樣觀看的：我是這些眾生的父親。我將把這些眾生從這巨大的苦難中解救出來。我將給予這些眾生不可思議、無法計量的佛智之樂，他們將在其中欣悅、享受、取樂和消遣。
“This, Śāriputra, is how a tathāgata sees: it is said I have the strength of wisdom, the strength of miraculous powers, but if I had no method and instructed these beings to attain a tathāgata’s wisdom, strengths, and fearlessnesses, those beings would not become liberated through those dharmas. Why is that? Those beings are attached to the five sensory pleasures, and delight in the three realms. They would not become liberated from birth, aging, illness, death, misery, wailing, suffering, unhappiness, and disturbance. They would not escape from the three realms, which are like a house with a dilapidated roof and rafters that are on fire, and in which they will be burned, roasted, pained, and tormented. So how could they enjoy the wisdom of buddhahood?
「舍利弗，如來是這樣觀察的：我具有智慧的力和神通的力，但是如果我沒有方便，直接教導這些眾生證得如來的智慧、力和無畏，那些眾生就不會通過這些法而得到解脫。為什麼呢？因為這些眾生執著於五欲，歡喜三界。他們不會從生、老、病、死、苦、悲、苦、憂和擾亂中得到解脫。他們不會逃脫那些像屋頂破損、椽子著火的三界，在其中他們將被燒、烤、痛苦和折磨。那麼他們怎樣才能享受佛道的智慧呢？
3.70“Śāriputra, the man with strong arms did not use the strength of his arms but used a skillful method to bring his children out from the burning house, and afterward gave them magnificent great carts. In the same way, Śāriputra, a tathāgata, arhat, perfectly enlightened buddha has the wisdom, strengths, and fearlessnesses of a tathāgata, but instead of using the tathāgata’s wisdom, strengths, and fearlessnesses, through the wisdom of skill in methods he teaches three yānas in order to free beings from the three realms, which are like a dilapidated house with its roof and rafters on fire. He guides beings through the three yānas, which are the Śrāvakayāna, the Pratyekabuddhayāna, and the Bodhisattvayāna.
3.70舍利弗，那位力士並非用自己的臂力，而是運用方便之法將他的孩子們從燃燒的房子中救出，之後又給了他們宏偉的大車。同樣地，舍利弗，如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛具有如來的智慧、力和無畏，但他並非運用如來的智慧、力和無畏，而是透過巧方便智傳授三乘，以便將眾生從如同頹敗房舍、屋頂和椽木都著火燃燒的三界中解救出來。他透過聲聞乘、辟支佛乘和菩薩乘這三乘來引導眾生。
3.71“He says to them, ‘Do not take pleasure in the forms, sounds, smells, [F.32.b] tastes, and physical sensations of the three realms, which are like a house on fire. Through taking pleasure in these three realms and through craving for the five sensory pleasures, you will be burned, roasted, pained, and tormented. This is how one escapes from the three realms: obtain the three yānas—the Śrāvakayāna, Pratyekabuddhayāna, and Bodhisattvayāna. This I promise you. I shall give you these three yānas. Dedicate yourself to them in order to escape from the three realms. Beings! These yānas are those of the āryas, they are praised by the āryas, and they bring great joy. Perfectly amuse yourself with them, enjoy them, and delight in them. Experience great joy through the powers, the strengths, the aspects of enlightenment, the dhyānas, the liberations, the samādhis, and the samāpattis. You will become possessed of perfect happiness of mind.
3.71「舍利弗，它告訴他們說：『不要在三界的色、聲、香、味、觸中取樂，三界就像一座著火的房子。通過在三界中取樂和貪愛五欲，你們會被燒、被烤、被痛苦折磨。這就是逃離三界的方式：獲得三乘——聲聞乘、辟支佛乘和菩薩乘。我向你們承諾這一點。我會給予你們這三乘。專注於它們以逃離三界。眾生啊！這些乘是聖者的乘，它們受到聖者的讚許，它們帶來大喜樂。完全享受它們，樂於它們，欣喜於它們。通過力、力量、菩提的方面、禪定、解脫、三昧和等至而體驗大喜樂。你們將擁有心的完全快樂。』」
3.72“Śāriputra, those beings who are wise will believe in the Tathāgata, the father of the world. Having that belief they will be dedicated to the teachings of the Tathāgata. Some beings long to follow the way of listening to what is spoken. They are dedicated to the teachings of the Tathāgata in order to realize the four truths of the āryas as the cause of attaining nirvāṇa for themselves. They are called those who long for the Śrāvakayāna and they escape from the three realms. They are like the children in the parable who come out of the burning house because of their longing for a deer-drawn cart.
3.72「舍利弗，那些有智慧的眾生將會相信如來，世界之父。具有這樣的信心，他們將會專心修行如來的教法。有些眾生渴望追隨聽聞聲音的道路。他們專心修行如來的教法，以期實現四聖諦作為自己達到涅槃的原因。他們被稱為渴望聲聞乘的眾生，他們將會從三界逃脫。他們就像譬喻中的孩子，因為對鹿車的渴望而從燃燒的房子中出來。
“There are others who long for wisdom, self-control, and tranquility without having a teacher. They are dedicated to the teachings of the Tathāgata in order to realize causes and conditions as the cause of attaining nirvāṇa for themselves. [F.33.a] They are called those who long for the Pratyekabuddhayāna and they escape from the three realms. They are like the children in the parable who come out of the burning house because of their longing for a goat-drawn cart.
「還有其他眾生，渴望智慧、自我克制和寧靜，而不需要導師。他們致力於如來的教法，以便為自己證悟因緣作為獲得涅槃的因。他們被稱為渴望辟支佛乘的眾生，他們從三界逃脫。他們就像譬喻中的孩子一樣，因為渴望羊車而從燃燒的房子裡出來。」
3.73“Some beings long for omniscient buddhahood, for the wisdom of buddhahood, for self-arising wisdom, for wisdom without a teacher. They are dedicated to the teachings of the Tathāgata in order to benefit many beings, for the happiness of many beings, and—through great compassion for the world—for the sake of, the benefit of, and the happiness of devas, humans, and ordinary beings, as the cause for all beings attaining nirvāṇa, and in order to realize the wisdom, strengths, and fearlessnesses of a tathāgata. They are called those who long for the Mahāyāna and they escape from the three realms. That is why they are called bodhisattva mahāsattvas. They are like the children in the parable who come out of the burning house because of their longing for an ox-drawn cart.
3.73「有些眾生渴望一切智佛果、佛智、無師智、無師智。他們專心致力於如來的教法，為了利益眾多眾生、為了眾多眾生的幸福，並且——通過對世界的大悲——為了天眾、人和普通眾生的緣故、利益和幸福，作為所有眾生達到涅槃的原因，並為了實現如來的智慧、力和無畏。他們被稱為渴望大乘的人，他們從三界逃脫。這就是他們被稱為菩薩摩訶薩的原因。他們就像譬喻中的孩子因渴望牛車而從著火的房子裡走出來一樣。」
3.74“Śāriputra, in the parable the man sees that he has brought the children out from the burning house, and that they are happy, fortunate, and saved. He knows that he is very wealthy, and so he gives each of the children an identical magnificent cart.
3.74「舍利弗，在這個譬喻中，那個人看到他已經把孩子們從燃燒的房子裡帶了出來，他們很快樂、很幸運、得到了拯救。他知道自己非常富有，所以他給每個孩子都賜予了一輛相同的華麗車子。」
“Śāriputra, in that way the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha sees many millions of beings liberated from the three realms, which are filled with danger, fear, terror, and calamity. These beings come out through the doorway of the tathāgatas’ teachings, and are freed from danger, fear, terror, and calamity and attain the bliss of nirvāṇa.
「舍利弗，如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛以此方式看見數百萬的眾生從充滿危險、恐懼、驚駭和災難的三界中得到解脫。這些眾生通過如來的教法之門出離，從危險、恐懼、驚駭和災難中獲得自由，並證得涅槃的安樂。」
3.75“Śāriputra, at the time when he becomes a tathāgata, arhat, perfectly enlightened buddha, he knows that he possesses many treasuries of wisdom, strengths, and fearlessnesses, [F.33.b] he sees all beings as his children, and therefore brings all of them to complete nirvāṇa through the Buddhayāna. He does not teach any being to attain nirvāṇa for themselves. He brings all those beings to nirvāṇa through the great nirvāṇa, the tathāgatas’ nirvāṇa.
3.75「舍利弗，當他成為如來、阿羅漢、正等覺佛時，他知道自己擁有許多智慧、力和無畏的寶藏，他看到所有眾生都是他的孩子，因此透過佛乘將他們全部帶入完全的涅槃。他不教導任何眾生為自己而成就涅槃。他透過大涅槃——如來的涅槃——將所有這些眾生帶入涅槃。」
“Śāriputra, the Tathāgata gives to those beings that are liberated from the three realms the enjoyable, delightful dhyānas, liberations, samādhis, samāpattis, and the supreme bliss of the āryas. All of these are of the same kind.
「舍利弗，如來賜予那些從三界中解脫出來的眾生，令人歡喜、令人愉悅的禪定、解脫、三昧、等至，以及聖人最上樂。這些全都是同一種類的。
“Śāriputra, it is like the man who promised three kinds of carts to his children and then gave each of them an identical great cart. He gave them all carts that were better than any other, that were made of the seven precious materials, adorned by all adornments, of the same color, and magnificent. Therefore he was not a liar.
「舍利弗，就好像一個人曾經向他的孩子們承諾給予三種車子，後來卻給了每個孩子一輛相同的大車。他給他們的車子都比其他任何車子更好，都是由七寶製成的，用各種裝飾品裝飾，顏色相同，華麗壯觀。因此他並沒有說謊。」
3.76“In the same way, Śāriputra, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha, with this skill in methods, first teaches three yānas, and afterward brings beings to nirvāṇa through a single yāna. Therefore he is not a liar. Why is that? Śāriputra, the Tathāgata possesses many treasuries of wisdom, strengths, and fearlessnesses and he has the power to teach all beings the Dharma of omniscient wisdom.
3.76「舍利弗，如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛，以此方便，先教三乘，後以一乘而度眾生至涅槃，故不妄言。何以故？舍利弗，如來具有無量智慧寶藏、力與無畏，具有能力為一切眾生教導一切種智之法。
“Śāriputra, it should be known that it is through this teaching, through the accomplishment of the wisdom of various skillful methods, that the Tathāgata teaches the single Mahāyāna.”
「舍利弗，應當知道，如來就是通過這個教法，通過成就各種方便的智慧，來教導單一的大乘。」
3.77Then the Bhagavān at that time recited these verses: [F.34.a]
3.77那時薄伽梵說偈頌：
3.188This concludes “The Parable,” the third chapter of the Dharma teaching of “The White Lotus of the Good Dharma.” [B4]
3.188（結尾）