The Past
過去
7.1“Bhikṣus, in the past, in a time gone by, beyond and even further beyond the most countless, innumerable, incalculable, unquantifiable, inconceivable asaṃkhyeya eons ago, at that time, in that era, in an eon named Mahārūpa, in a world named Saṃbhavā, there appeared in that world the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha, the one with perfect wisdom and conduct, the sugata, the one who knows the world, the unsurpassable guide who tames beings, the teacher of devas and humans, the buddha, the bhagavān named Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū.
7.1「比丘眾，在過去的時代，遠遠超過最無數、無量、不可計算、無法衡量、不可思議的阿僧祇劫之前，在那時，在那個時代，在一個名叫大相劫的劫中，在一個名叫眾相世界的世界裡，出現了這樣一位如來、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，名叫大通智勝佛。
7.2“Bhikṣus, how long has it been since that tathāgata appeared? Bhikṣus, it is like this: A man crushes all the earth of the worlds in this realm of a billion worlds into powder. Then that man takes a single smallest particle of dust from those worlds and goes beyond a thousand worlds in the eastern direction and puts it down. Then that man takes a second smallest particle of dust, and passing beyond an even further thousand worlds puts down that second smallest particle of dust. In that way the man removes the entire element of earth into the eastern direction.
7.2「比丘們，那位如來出現至今有多久了呢？比丘們，事情是這樣的：有一個人將十億世界這個界域內所有世界的泥土全部碾成粉末。然後那個人取出其中一粒最細微的塵埃，向東方越過一千個世界後放下它。然後那個人取出第二粒最細微的塵埃，越過更遠的一千個世界後放下第二粒塵埃。就這樣，那個人向東方把整個泥土元素一粒一粒地移除。」
7.3“Bhikṣus, what do you think? Is it possible to calculate the end, the furthest extent of those worlds?”
7.3「比丘們，你們認為如何？能否計算出那些世界的邊界、最遠的邊際？」
“Bhagavān, it’s impossible.” they answered. “Sugata, it’s impossible.”
「薄伽梵，不可能。」比丘眾回答說。「善逝，不可能。」
7.4“Bhikṣus,” continued the Bhagavān, “a mathematician, a great mathematician could calculate the number of the worlds in which particles were placed and the number of those in which a particle was not placed. [F.59.b] However, they could not through their enumeration know the number of the hundred thousands of quintillion of eons that have passed since the bhagavān tathāgata Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū passed into nirvāṇa.
7.4「比丘眾，」薄伽梵繼續說道，「一位數學家，一位偉大的數學家，可以計算出放置了微塵的世界的數量，以及沒有放置微塵的世界的數量。然而，他們無法通過他們的計算來知道自從薄伽梵如來大通智勝佛進入涅槃以來所經過的百千兆劫的數量。」
7.5“Bhikṣus, there has been such an inconceivable, such an immeasurable length of time since that tathāgata passed into nirvāṇa, but through possessing the power of the vision of a tathāgata’s wisdom, I remember that nirvāṇa as if it were yesterday or today.”
7.5比丘們，那位如來進入涅槃以來，已經過了難以想像、難以衡量的漫長時間，但我依靠著如來智慧的視見之力，記得那涅槃就像是昨天或今天發生的一樣。
7.6Thereupon the Bhagavān recited these verses:
7.6於是薄伽梵頌曰：
7.13“Bhikṣus, the lifespan of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū was fifty-four hundred thousand quintillion eons. Before that bhagavān attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, he went to the sublime, supreme Bodhimaṇḍa. He conquered and defeated the entire army of Māra. Having defeated and conquered it, he thought, ‘I shall attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.’
7.13「比丘眾，如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛的壽命是五十四億那由他劫。在這位薄伽梵還沒有證得無上正等正覺的圓滿佛果之前，他前往殊勝至上的菩提座。他戰勝並擊敗了魔的全部軍隊。在擊敗並戰勝它之後，他心想：『我將證得無上正等正覺的圓滿佛果。』」
7.14“While those qualities had not yet manifested, he sat on the Bodhimaṇḍa at the foot of the Bodhi tree for an entire intermediate eon. He sat there for a second intermediate eon but still did not attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. During a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, a seventh, an eighth, a ninth, and a tenth intermediate eon he sat on the Bodhimaṇḍa at the foot of the Bodhi tree, with legs always crossed, never standing up, with his mind unwavering and his body motionless, but even so, during that time those qualities did not manifest for him.
7.14「那些功德還沒有顯現時，他在菩提樹下的菩提座上坐著，歷經整個中劫。他坐著經歷了第二個中劫，但仍然沒有證得無上正等正覺的佛道。在第三、第四、第五、第六、第七、第八、第九和第十個中劫中，他在菩提樹下的菩提座上坐著，雙腿始終交叉盤坐，從不站起，心念不動搖，身體保持不動，但即使這樣，在那段時間裡，那些功德仍然沒有為他顯現。
7.15“Bhikṣus, the devas of Trāyastriṃśa erected for that bhagavān, who had come to the sublime, supreme Bodhimaṇḍa, a great lion throne, which was five hundred yojanas high, for the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. As soon as that bhagavān sat on the Bodhimaṇḍa, the Brahmakāyika devas sent down a rain of flowers up to ten yojanas around the Bodhimaṇḍa, and from the sky a breeze would come that removed all the withering flowers. In that way a rain of flowers fell and fell continuously on the Bhagavān sitting on the Bodhimaṇḍa. [F.60.b] They fell on that bhagavān throughout the entire ten intermediate eons. That rainfall of flowers continued to fall until the nirvāṇa of that bhagavān, being tossed down upon that bhagavān.
7.15「比丘眾，三十三天為那位來到殊勝至高菩提座的薄伽梵造立了一個偉大的獅子座，高五百由旬，用來迎接無上正等正覺的圓滿佛果。當那位薄伽梵坐上菩提座時，梵眾天降下花雨，範圍達到菩提座周圍十由旬，而從天空來的清風吹去了所有凋謝的花朵。如此花雨持續不斷地落在坐於菩提座上的薄伽梵身上。花雨在那位薄伽梵身上落了整整十個中劫。這場花雨的降落一直持續到那位薄伽梵的涅槃為止，不斷地灑落在那位薄伽梵身上。」
7.16“The devas of the paradises of the four mahārājas, in order to honor the Bhagavān seated at the sublime, supreme Bodhimaṇḍa, played the divine drums of paradise and played them throughout the entire ten intermediate eons. The delightful divine music continued until the time of the great nirvāṇa of the Bhagavān.
7.16「四大王天的天眾，為了恭敬坐在殊勝、至高菩提座上的薄伽梵，演奏天堂的天鼓，整個十中劫期間都不斷演奏。這美妙的天樂一直持續到薄伽梵大涅槃的時候。」
7.17“Bhikṣus, after ten intermediate eons had passed, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. When the Bhagavān was young he had had sixteen sons of his own, and they immediately knew that he had attained buddhahood. The eldest of those sons was named Jñānākara.
7.17比丘眾，十個中劫過去之後，如來、阿羅漢、正等覺大通智勝佛證得無上正等正覺。薄伽梵年輕時有十六個兒子，他們立即知道他已經成佛了。那些兒子中最年長的叫智積。
7.18“Bhikṣus, each of these sixteen young princes enjoyed delightful, captivating, and beautiful amusements of many kinds.
7.18「比丘眾，這十六位王子各各享受著許多種令人喜悅、迷人而美麗的娛樂。
7.19“Bhikṣus, when the sixteen young princes knew that the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū had attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, they abandoned their many different kinds of delightful amusements and, encircled and accompanied by their weeping mothers and wet nurses, and encircled and accompanied by their grandfather, who was the cakravartin king Mahākośa, [F.61.a] the king’s ministers, and many hundred thousands of quintillions of beings, they went to the Bodhimaṇḍa where the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū was seated, in order to serve him, venerate him, honor him, make offerings to him, praise him, and respect him.
7.19比丘眾，當這十六位年輕王子得知如來、阿羅漢、正等覺大通智勝佛已經證得無上正等正覺的圓滿佛果時，他們放棄了各種令人歡喜的娛樂活動，由他們哭泣的母親和乳母，以及他們的祖父轉輪聖王大光明王、國王的大臣，以及許多百千萬億的眾生圍繞陪同著，一起去到如來、阿羅漢、正等覺大通智勝佛所坐的菩提座處，為了侍奉他、恭敬他、尊敬他、供養他、讚歎他，以及恭禮他。
7.20“When they arrived there, they bowed their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān three times, and with hands together in homage, in front of the Bhagavān they fittingly praised him with these verses:
7.20"他們到達那裡時，向薄伽梵的足部頂禮，繞行薄伽梵三圈，然後雙手合掌恭敬，在薄伽梵面前用以下偈頌適當地讚頌他：
7.28“Bhikṣus, those sixteen children, young princes, with these verses fittingly praised the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū. They then said, ‘Bhagavān, we request you to teach the Dharma for the benefit and welfare of devas and humans and of the great multitudes of beings. Sugata, we request you to teach the Dharma!’ They thus requested the bhagavān to turn the wheel of the Dharma, and they made a further request through these verses:
7.28比丘們，那十六位王子用這些偈頌恰當地讚頌了薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛。他們隨後說道：「薄伽梵，我們請求您為了天眾、人類和廣大眾生的利益與福祉而說法。善逝啊，我們請求您說法！」他們就這樣請求薄伽梵轉法輪，並進一步通過這些偈頌提出了請求：
7.32“Bhikṣus, when the bhagavān , the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds in each of the ten directions shook and were filled with a great light. [F.62.a]There were in all those worlds the unfortunate existences in between worlds where there was complete darkness. The moon and sun with their great miraculous power, their great might, and their great brilliance could not with their light illuminate them. They could not with their color bring color there or with their brilliance bring brilliance. The great light appeared even in those places. The beings who had been reborn between the worlds saw each other and knew that each other were there and they said, ‘Oh my! There are other beings who have been born here! Oh my! There are other beings who have been born here!’
7.32「比丘眾，當薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛證得無上正等正覺、圓滿佛道時，十方各有五十百千億那由他世界震動，充滿了偉大的光明。[F.62.a]在所有那些世界中，有不幸的中間界眾生存在之處，那裡是完全的黑暗。月亮和太陽雖然擁有偉大的神力、偉大的力量和偉大的光輝，但他們的光無法照亮那些地方。他們無法用顏色帶來顏色，也無法用光輝帶來光輝。那偉大的光明甚至在那些地方出現了。那些在中間界中被重生的眾生互相看見了彼此，並知道彼此在那裡，他們說：『啊呀！還有其他眾生在這裡出生了！啊呀！還有其他眾生在這裡出生了！』」
7.33“In all those worlds the paradises and heavenly residences shook in six ways, even as far up as the paradise of Brahmā, and were filled with a great light, which transcended the divine power of the devas.
7.33「在所有那些世界中，所有的天堂和天界的住處都以六種方式震動，甚至直到梵天的天界為止，都充滿了一種偉大的光明，這光明超越了天眾的神力。」
“Bhikṣus, in that way, at that time, those worlds shook and were filled by a great light.
比丘眾，就這樣，在那個時候，那些世界震動，充滿了偉大的光芒。
7.34“The airborne palaces of the Brahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds in the east became very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic.
7.34「在東方五十百千億那由他世界中的梵天，他們的空中宮殿都變得非常莊嚴美好、光明燦爛、耀眼輝煌。
7.35“Bhikṣus, those Brahmās wondered, ‘These airborne palaces of the Brahmās have become very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic. Who is this a sign of?’
7.35比丘眾，這些梵天的飛行宮殿變得非常美麗、光明、燦爛、榮耀、莊嚴。這是誰的徵兆呢？這些梵天們感到疑惑。
7.36“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds came to each other’s homes and spoke with each other.
7.36比丘們，那五十億兆世界中的大梵天王互相來到彼此的家中，彼此交談。
7.37“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmā named Sarvasattvatrātā [F.62.b] spoke these verses to the great assembly of Brahmās:
7.37比丘們，名叫救一切眾生的大梵天向大梵天眾說出了這些偈頌：
7.41“Bhikṣus, then all the Mahābrahmās who lived in those fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds and who had gathered together each entered his own divine Brahmā palace and, holding a basket of divine flowers that was the size of Sumeru, flew in their airborne palaces into the four directions.
7.41「比丘眾，那時所有那五十百千萬億個世界中居住的大梵天王，聚集在一起，各自進入自己的梵天宮殿，手拿著須彌山大小的天花籃，乘坐著他們飛行的宮殿往四個方向飛去。
7.42“Bhikṣus, when they went to the west those Mahābrahmās saw in the west the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū, who had come to the sublime, highest Bodhimaṇḍa and was seated on a lion throne at the foot of the Bodhi tree. Before him were assembled devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, who were gazing upon him, and the sixteen young princes, who were requesting him to turn the wheel of the Dharma. When they saw that, they approached the Bhagavān, and bowed their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān many hundreds of thousands of times, and upon the Bhagavān they tossed and scattered flowers from their baskets the size of Sumeru. [F.63.a] They strewed flowers up to a distance of ten yojanas from the Bodhi tree. They offered their divine Brahmā palaces to the Bhagavān, saying, ‘Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, accept these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Sugata, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās.’
7.42「比丘眾，當那些大梵天王向西方而去時，他們在西方看到了如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛，他已經到達了最高、最殊勝的菩提座，並坐在菩提樹下的獅子座上。在他面前聚集了天眾、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、人與非人，他們都注視著他，還有十六位王子正請求他轉法輪。當他們看到這一切時，就走近薄伽梵，向薄伽梵的腳下頂禮，繞行薄伽梵好幾千幾萬次，從他們那須彌山般大小的花籃中把花向薄伽梵撒去。他們把花撒到了距離菩提樹十由旬的地方。他們把自己的梵天宮殿獻給薄伽梵，說道：『薄伽梵，為了對我們表示悲心，請接受我們這些梵天的飛行宮殿。薄伽梵，為了對我們表示悲心，請享受我們這些梵天的飛行宮殿。善逝，請享受我們這些梵天的飛行宮殿。』」
7.43“Bhikṣus, then those Mahābrahmās each offered to the Bhagavān their own airborne palace, and at that time, in the presence of the Bhagavān, they fittingly praised him with these verses:
7.43比丘眾，那些大梵天王各自向薄伽梵獻上自己的飛行宮殿，那時在薄伽梵面前，他們恰當地用這些偈頌讚頌他：
7.47“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās in the presence of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū fittingly praised him with those verses, and then said to the Bhagavān, ‘Bhagavān, turn the wheel of the Dharma in the world! Bhagavān, teach nirvāṇa! Bhagavān, liberate beings! Bhagavān, take this world into your care! [F.63.b]
7.47「比丘眾，大梵天王們在大通智勝佛、阿羅漢、正遍知佛面前，用那些偈頌恰當地讚歎了他，然後對薄伽梵說：『薄伽梵，請在世界中轉法輪！薄伽梵，請開示涅槃！薄伽梵，請解脫眾生！薄伽梵，請關照這個世界！
7.48“ ‘Bhagavān, teach the Dharma to the world including its devas, māras, and brahmakas, to beings including mendicants and brahmins, and to the devas, asuras, and humans. Then there will be benefit for many beings, happiness for many beings, compassion for the world, and welfare, benefit, and happiness for a great multitude of beings, devas, and humans.’
7.48「薄伽梵，請為世間及其天眾、魔眾和梵眾天，為包括沙門和婆羅門在內的眾生，為天眾、阿修羅和人類講說佛法。這樣就會利益許多眾生，給許多眾生帶來快樂，以悲心關懷世界，並為廣大的眾生、天眾和人類帶來利益、福祉和快樂。」
7.49“Bhikṣus, then those fifty hundred thousand quintillion Mahābrahmās, speaking as one voice, recited these verses to the Bhagavān:
7.49"比丘眾，那時那五十百千兆大梵天王，以一音聲，為薄伽梵誦此偈頌：
7.51“Bhikṣus, the Bhagavān gave his assent by saying nothing to the Mahābrahmās.
7.51比丘們，薄伽梵以沉默不語的方式同意了大梵天王們的請求。
7.52“Bhikṣus, at that time the airborne palaces of the Brahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds in the southeast became very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic.
7.52「比丘眾，當時在東南方五十百千萬億世界的梵天們的空中宮殿都變得非常莊嚴華麗、光明炫耀、光彩奪目、榮耀壯麗。
7.53“Bhikṣus, those Brahmās wondered, ‘These airborne palaces of the Brahmās have become very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic. Who is this a sign of?’
7.53「比丘們，那些梵天們思考著：『這些梵天的空中宮殿變得非常莊嚴、光明、熾盛、煜爛，威德巍巍。這是誰的預兆呢？』
“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds came to each other’s homes and spoke with each other.
「比丘眾，那五十萬億兆世界中的大梵天王們互相來到對方的家中，彼此交談。」
7.54“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmā named Adhimātrakāruṇika spoke these verses to the great assembly of Brahmās: [F.64.a]
7.54比丘眾，名叫阿提摩多迦盧尼迦的大梵天向梵天眾的大集會說出了這些偈頌：
7.60“Bhikṣus, then all the Mahābrahmās who lived in those fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds and who had gathered together each entered his own divine Brahmā palace and, holding a basket of divine flowers that was the size of Sumeru, flew in their airborne palaces into the four directions.
7.60「比丘眾，那時所有居住在那五十百千億那由他世界中的大梵天王們聚集在一起，各自進入自己的梵天宮殿，手持著一個須彌山大小的天花籃，乘著飛行的宮殿向四方飛去。
“Bhikṣus, when they went into the west those Mahābrahmās saw in the west the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū, who had come to the sublime, highest Bodhimaṇḍa and was seated on a lion throne at the foot of the Bodhi tree. Before him were assembled devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, who were gazing upon him, and the sixteen young princes, who were requesting him to turn the wheel of the Dharma. When they saw that, they came to the Bhagavān, and bowed their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān many hundreds of thousands of times, [F.64.b] and upon the Bhagavān they threw and scattered flowers from the baskets the size of Sumeru. They strewed flowers up to a distance of ten yojanas from the Bodhi tree.
「比丘眾，當那些大梵天王向西方進去時，他們在西方看到了如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛。他已經來到了殊勝、最高的菩提座，坐在菩提樹下的獅子座上。在他面前聚集了天眾、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、人和非人，他們都凝視著他。還有十六位王子在請求他轉法輪。當他們看到這一切時，他們來到了薄伽梵面前，向薄伽梵的雙足頂禮，繞行薄伽梵無數百千次，從須彌山大小的花籃中，向薄伽梵撒散花朵。他們撒散的花朵從菩提樹向外延伸到十由旬的距離。」
7.61“They offered their divine Brahmā palaces to the bhagavān, saying, ‘Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, accept these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Sugata, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās.’
7.61「他們把梵天的宮殿獻給薄伽梵，說道：『薄伽梵，為了對我們展現悲心，請接受這些梵天的飛行宮殿。薄伽梵，為了對我們展現悲心，請享受這些梵天的飛行宮殿。善逝，請享受這些梵天的飛行宮殿。』
7.62“Bhikṣus, then those Mahābrahmās each offered to the Bhagavān their own airborne palace, and at that time, in the presence of the Bhagavān they fittingly praised him with these verses:
7.62「比丘眾，那些大梵天王各自將自己的飛行宮殿獻給薄伽梵，當時在薄伽梵的面前，他們用這些偈頌恰當地讚頌他：
7.66“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās in the presence of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū fittingly praised him with those verses, and then said to the Bhagavān, [F.65.a] ‘Bhagavān, turn the wheel of the Dharma in the world! Bhagavān, teach nirvāṇa! Bhagavān, liberate beings! Bhagavān, take this world into your care!
7.66比丘眾，大梵天王在大通智勝佛、阿羅漢、正遍知佛的面前，用那些偈頌恰當地讚歎了他，然後對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，請在世界中轉法輪！薄伽梵，請教導涅槃！薄伽梵，請解救眾生！薄伽梵，請照顧這個世界！
“ ‘Bhagavān, teach the Dharma to the world including its devas, māras, and brahmakas, to beings including mendicants and brahmins, and to the devas, asuras, and humans. Then there will be benefit for many beings, happiness for many beings, compassion for the world, and welfare, benefit, and happiness for a great multitude of beings, devas, and humans.’
「薄伽梵，請為世界包括天眾、魔眾和梵眾天，以及包括沙門和婆羅門在內的眾生，還有天眾、阿修羅和人類說法。這樣就會利益眾多眾生，使眾多眾生獲得幸福，對世界產生悲心，並為廣大眾生、天眾和人類帶來福祉、利益和幸福。」
7.67“Bhikṣus, then those fifty hundred thousand quintillion Mahābrahmās, speaking as one voice, recited these verses to the Bhagavān:
7.67比丘們，那時那五十百千那由他大梵天王，以同一音聲，向薄伽梵誦出這些偈頌：
7.69“Bhikṣus, the Bhagavān gave his assent by saying nothing to the Mahābrahmās.
7.69「比丘眾，薄伽梵以沉默表示同意，對大梵天王們予以認可。
7.70“Bhikṣus, at that time the airborne palaces of the Brahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds in the south became very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic.
7.70「比丘眾，那時在南方五十百千萬億世界中的梵天眾們的空中宮殿都變得非常美妙、光明、燦爛、莊嚴和雄偉。
7.71“Bhikṣus, those Brahmās wondered, ‘These airborne palaces of the Brahmās have become very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic. Who is this a sign of?’ [F.65.b]
7.71「比丘，那些梵天疑惑道：『這些梵天的空中宮殿變得非常美麗、光明、燦爛、榮耀和莊嚴。這是誰的預兆呢？』」
“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds came to each other’s homes and spoke with each other.
比丘眾，那五十百千萬億個世界中的大梵天王們互相來到彼此的家中，彼此交談。
7.72“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmā named Sudharma spoke these verses to the great assembly of Brahmās:
7.72比丘眾，名叫善法的大梵天王向眾多梵天的大眾說出了這些偈頌：
7.74“Bhikṣus, then all the Mahābrahmās who lived in those fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds and who had gathered together each entered his own divine Brahmā palace and, holding a basket of divine flowers that was the size of Sumeru, flew in their airborne palaces into the four directions.
7.74「比丘眾，那時所有住在那五十百千億兆世界中的大梵天王，都已聚集在一起，各自進入自己的梵天宮殿，手持著須彌山大小的天花籃，乘坐著自己的飛行宮殿，向四個方向飛去。」
7.75“Bhikṣus, when they went into the west those Mahābrahmās saw in the west the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū who had come to the sublime, highest Bodhimaṇḍa and was seated on a lion throne at the foot of the Bodhi tree. Before him were assembled devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans who were gazing upon him, and the sixteen young princes, who were requesting him to turn the wheel of the Dharma. When they saw that they came to the Bhagavān, and bowed their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān many hundreds of thousands of times, and upon the Bhagavān they tossed and scattered flowers from their baskets the size of Sumeru. They strewed flowers up to a distance of ten yojanas from the Bodhi tree. They offered their divine Brahmā palaces to the Bhagavān, saying, ‘Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, accept these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, [F.66.a] enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Sugata, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās.’
7.75「比丘眾，當那些大梵天王向西方進去時，他們在西方看到了如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛，他已經來到了殊勝無上的菩提座，正坐在菩提樹下的獅子座上。他的前面聚集了天眾、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、人和非人，他們都在注視著他。還有十六位王子，他們正請求他轉法輪。當大梵天王們看到他們來到了薄伽梵面前，就向薄伽梵的腳下頂禮，繞行薄伽梵許許多多次，然後從他們須彌山大小的花籃裡拿出花朵，向薄伽梵拋撒和散落。他們散落的花朵從菩提樹延伸到十由旬遠的地方。他們向薄伽梵供奉他們的梵天宮殿，說：『薄伽梵，為了對我們顯示悲心，請接受我們梵天的這些宮殿。薄伽梵，為了對我們顯示悲心，請享用我們梵天的這些宮殿。善逝，請享用我們梵天的這些宮殿。』」
7.76“Bhikṣus, then those Mahābrahmās each offered to the Bhagavān their own airborne palace, and at that time, in the presence of the Bhagavān, they fittingly praised him with these verses:
7.76「比丘眾，那些大梵天王各自將自己的飛行宮殿獻給薄伽梵，在那時候，在薄伽梵面前，他們恰當地用這些偈頌讚頌他：
7.79“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās in the presence of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū fittingly praised him with those verses, and then said to the Bhagavān, ‘Bhagavān, turn the wheel of the Dharma in the world! Bhagavān, teach nirvāṇa! Bhagavān, liberate beings! Bhagavān, take this world into your care!
7.79比丘眾，大梵天王在大通智勝佛、阿羅漢、正遍知佛的面前，用那些偈頌恰當地讚歎了佛，然後對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，請在世界中轉法輪！薄伽梵，請教導涅槃！薄伽梵，請解脫眾生！薄伽梵，請照顧這個世界！
“ ‘Bhagavān, teach the Dharma to the world, including its devas, māras, and brahmakas, to beings including mendicants and brahmins, and to the devas, asuras, and humans. Then there will be benefit for many beings, happiness for many beings, compassion for the world, and welfare, benefit, and happiness for a great multitude of beings, devas, and humans.’ [F.66.b]
「薄伽梵，請為世界說法，包括天眾、魔眾和梵眾天，以及沙門、婆羅門等眾生，還有天、阿修羅和人類。這樣就會利益許多眾生，使許多眾生獲得安樂，對世界生起悲心，並為無量的眾生、天眾和人類帶來福祉、利益和安樂。」
7.80“Bhikṣus, then those fifty hundred thousand quintillion Mahābrahmās, speaking as one voice, recited these verses to the Bhagavān:
7.80「比丘們，那時那五十百千億那由他大梵天王們，齊聲向薄伽梵誦唱這些偈頌：
7.82“Bhikṣus, the Bhagavān gave his assent by saying nothing to the Mahābrahmās.
7.82比丘眾，薄伽梵對大梵天王沒有說話，這就是給了他們同意的表示。
7.83“The same occurred in the southwest, the same in the west, the same in the northwest, the same in the north, the same in the northeast, and in the downward direction.
7.83「在西南方也是如此，在西方也是如此，在西北方也是如此，在北方也是如此，在東北方也是如此，在下方也是如此。」
7.84“Bhikṣus, at that time the airborne palaces of the Brahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds in the upward direction became very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic.
7.84「比丘們，那時候，向上方向五十百千萬億世界中的梵天們的空中宮殿變得非常美妙、光明、耀眼、殊勝、莊嚴。」
7.85“Bhikṣus, those Brahmās wondered, ‘These airborne palaces of the Brahmās have become very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic. Who is this a sign of?’
7.85「比丘眾，那些梵天在思惟：『梵天的這些空中宮殿變得非常美麗、明亮、光輝、榮耀和莊嚴。這是誰的徵兆呢？』」
“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds came to each other’s homes and spoke with each other.
比丘們，那五十百千萬億世界中的大梵天王們彼此來到對方的宮殿，互相談論。
7.86“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmā named Śikhin spoke these verses to the great assembly of Brahmās:
7.86「比丘眾，名叫光明梵天的大梵天向大梵天眾說了這些偈頌：」
7.89“Bhikṣus, then all the Mahābrahmās who lived in those fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds and who had gathered together each entered his own divine Brahmā palace and, holding a basket of divine flowers that was the size of Sumeru, flew in their airborne palaces into the four directions.
7.89「比丘們，那時所有住在那五十百千億兆世界中的大梵天王，都聚集在一起，各自進入自己的天梵宮，手持著須彌山大小的天花籃，乘坐著飛行的梵宮宮殿，往四個方向飛去。
7.90“Bhikṣus, when they went into the west those Mahābrahmās saw in the west the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū, who had come to the sublime, highest Bodhimaṇḍa and was seated on a lion throne at the foot of the Bodhi tree. Before him were assembled devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, who were gazing upon him, and the sixteen young princes, who were requesting him to turn the wheel of the Dharma. When they saw that, they came to the Bhagavān, and bowed their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān many hundreds of thousands of times, and upon the Bhagavān they threw and scattered flowers from the baskets the size of Sumeru. They strewed flowers up to a distance of ten yojanas from the Bodhi tree. They offered their divine Brahmā palaces to the Bhagavān, saying ‘Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, accept these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Sugata, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās.’
7.90「比丘眾，那些大梵天王向西走去時，在西方看到了如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛，他已經來到了殊勝最高的菩提座，坐在菩提樹下的獅子座上。在他面前聚集了天眾、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、人類和非人，他們都在注視著他，還有十六位王子正在請求他轉法輪。看到這一切時，他們來到薄伽梵面前，俯伏在薄伽梵的足下，繞行薄伽梵許許多多次，從須彌山大小的花籃裡向薄伽梵拋撒花朵。他們將花朵撒到距離菩提樹十由旬遠的地方。他們把自己的梵天宮殿獻給薄伽梵，說道『薄伽梵，為了對我們表示悲心，請接受這些梵天的飛行宮殿。薄伽梵，為了對我們表示悲心，請享用這些梵天的飛行宮殿。善逝，請享用這些梵天的飛行宮殿。』」
7.91“Bhikṣus, then those Mahābrahmās each offered to the Bhagavān their own airborne palace, and at that time, in the presence of the Bhagavān they fittingly praised him with these verses:
7.91"比丘眾，那些大梵天王各自將自己的宮殿獻給薄伽梵，在那時，在薄伽梵面前，他們用這些偈頌恰當地讚頌他：
7.102“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās in the presence of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū fittingly praised him with those verses, and then said to the Bhagavān, ‘Bhagavān, turn the wheel of the Dharma in the world! [F.68.a] Bhagavān, teach nirvāṇa! Bhagavān, liberate beings! Bhagavān, take this world into your care!
7.102比丘眾，大梵天王在大通智勝佛、阿羅漢、正遍知佛的面前，用那些偈頌恰當地讚歎他，然後對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，請在世界中轉法輪！薄伽梵，請教導涅槃！薄伽梵，請解救眾生！薄伽梵，請照護這個世界！
“ ‘Bhagavān, teach the Dharma to the world including its devas, māras, and brahmakas, to beings including mendicants and brahmins, and to the devas, asuras, and humans. Then there will be a benefit for many beings, happiness for many beings, compassion for the world, and welfare, benefit, and happiness for a great multitude of beings, devas, and humans.’
「薄伽梵，請為世界宣說此法，包括天眾、魔眾和梵眾天，為包括沙門和婆羅門在內的眾生，以及為天眾、阿修羅和人類宣說。這樣就會利益眾多眾生，帶來眾多眾生的安樂，對世界生起悲心，並為廣大眾生、天眾和人類帶來福祉、利益和安樂。」
7.103“Bhikṣus, those fifty hundred thousand quintillion Mahābrahmās, speaking as one voice, now recited these verses to the Bhagavān:
7.103「比丘眾，那五十百千億那由他大梵天王，用同一個聲音，向薄伽梵誦出這些偈頌：
7.105“Bhikṣus, thereupon the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū, knowing what was requested by the many hundred thousand quintillions of Brahmās and the sixteen young princes, at that time, in accord with Dharma, turned the Dharma wheel that had never been turned by any mendicant, brahmin, deva, māra, or Brahmā in the world:
7.105「比丘們，那時薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛，知道了許多百千萬億梵天和十六位王子所請求的事，當時就依照法，為世界上任何沙門、婆羅門、天、魔、梵天都未曾轉過的法輪而轉動了：
“ ‘This is suffering. This is the origin of suffering. This is the cessation of suffering. This is the path that leads to the cessation of suffering.’ This was repeated three times so that there were twelve turnings of the Dharma wheel.
「『這是苦。這是苦的起源。這是苦的終止。這是導向苦的終止的道路。』這個內容重複了三次，所以法輪轉了十二次。
7.106“ ‘Bhikṣus, in this way, through the factor of ignorance there is formation. Through the factor of formation there is consciousness. [F.68.b] Through the factor of consciousness there is name-and-form. Through the factor of name-and-form there are the six āyatanas. Through the factor of the six āyatanas there is contact. Through the factor of contact there is sensation. Through the factor of sensation there is craving. Through the factor of craving there is grasping. Through the factor of grasping there is becoming. Through the factor of becoming there is birth. Through the factor of birth there is old age, death, misery, wailing, suffering, unhappiness, and disturbance. In that way there arises a great mass of sheer suffering.
7.106「比丘們，這樣，由於無明的因素就有行。由於行的因素就有識。由於識的因素就有名色。由於名色的因素就有六處。由於六處的因素就有觸。由於觸的因素就有受。由於受的因素就有貪愛。由於貪愛的因素就有取。由於取的因素就有有。由於有的因素就有生。由於生的因素就有老、死、憂悲、苦惱、不悅和擾亂。這樣就產生了一大堆純粹的苦。」
7.107“ ‘Through the cessation of ignorance there is the cessation of formation. Through the cessation of formation there is the cessation of consciousness. Through the cessation of consciousness there is the cessation of name-and-form. Through the cessation of name-and-form there is the cessation of the six āyatanas. Through the cessation of the six āyatanas there is the cessation of contact. Through the cessation of contact there is the cessation of sensation. Through the cessation of sensation there is the cessation of craving. Through the cessation of craving there is the cessation of grasping. Through the cessation of grasping there is the cessation of becoming. Through the cessation of becoming there is the cessation of birth. Through the cessation of birth there is the cessation of old age, death, misery, wailing, suffering, unhappiness, and disturbance. In that way there is the cessation of the great mass of unalloyed suffering.’ In that way he taught dependent origination extensively.
7.107"無明的滅除，就有行的滅除。行的滅除，就有識的滅除。識的滅除，就有名色的滅除。名色的滅除，就有六處的滅除。六處的滅除，就有觸的滅除。觸的滅除，就有受的滅除。受的滅除，就有貪愛的滅除。貪愛的滅除，就有取的滅除。取的滅除，就有有的滅除。有的滅除，就有生的滅除。生的滅除，就有老死、憂悲苦惱的滅除。這樣就有純粹的大苦消除。'用這樣的方式，他廣大地開示了緣起。"
7.108“Bhikṣus, in that way the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū turned the Dharma wheel before the world with its devas, māras, and brahmakas, and before the assembly with its mendicants and brahmins.
7.108「比丘眾，大通智勝佛薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛，就這樣在包括天眾、魔眾、梵眾天的世界面前，在包括沙門和婆羅門的大眾面前，轉動了法輪。
7.109“In that moment, in that instant, sixty hundred thousand quintillion beings became free of grasping and their minds were liberated from the defilements. They all became meditators possessed of the three insights, the six higher knowledges, and the eight liberations.
7.109「就在那時刻，在那一剎那，六百千兆億的眾生脫離了執取，他們的心從煩惱中得到了解脫。他們全都成為了具足三明、六神通和八解脫的修行者。」
7.110“Bhikṣus, in conclusion, the Bhagavān taught the Dharma a second time, and then he taught the Dharma a third [F.69.a] and a fourth time.
7.110「比丘眾，總結來說，薄伽梵第二次為大眾演說了法，之後他第三次、第四次演說了法。」
“Bhikṣus, each time the Bhagavān taught the Dharma, as many beings as there are grains of sand in a hundred thousand quintillion Ganges Rivers became free of grasping, and their minds were liberated from the defilements.
「比丘眾，每當薄伽梵演說法法時，就有如一百萬億恆河沙那麼多的眾生脫離了取著，他們的心從煩惱中解脫出來。」
7.111“Bhikṣus, after that, his śrāvaka saṅgha became innumerable.
7.111「比丘們，從那以後，他的聲聞僧伽變得無量無數。
7.112“Bhikṣus, at that time the sixteen young princes, having faith, together renounced home for homelessness. They all became mendicants who were wise, had clear minds, sharp minds, were learned, had practiced under hundreds of thousands of buddhas, and were dedicated to the highest, complete enlightenment.
7.112「比丘們，當時這十六位王子由於具足信心，一起出家成為沙門。他們都是有智慧的，心思清淨，根器銳利，學識淵博，曾在數百千位佛陀座下修習過，並且致力於無上正等正覺。
7.113“Bhikṣus, the sixteen mendicants said to the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū, ‘Bhagavān, these many thousands of quintillions of the Tathāgata’s śrāvakas have through the Dharma teaching of the Bhagavān accomplished great miraculous abilities, great power, and great might. Bhagavān, that being so, out of compassion give us the teachings that commence with the highest, complete enlightenment, so that we also may be students of the Tathāgata. Bhagavān, our goal is to have the visions of the Tathāgata’s wisdom; Bhagavān, this is evident to you. Bhagavān you know the thoughts of all beings, and you know our thoughts.’
7.113「比丘眾，那十六位沙門對薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛說道：『薄伽梵，這許多千億的如來聲聞眾，通過薄伽梵的法教已經成就了大神通、大力量和大威力。薄伽梵，既然如此，請您以悲心為我們宣說以無上正等正覺開始的教法，使得我們也能成為如來的學生。薄伽梵，我們的目標是親見如來的智慧；薄伽梵，這對您來說是明白的。薄伽梵，您了知一切眾生的心意，也了知我們的心意。』」
7.114“Thereupon, bhikṣus, as soon as they saw that those princes, those young boys, had become renunciants and mendicants, half the retinue of the cakravartin, numbering eighty-four hundred thousand quintillion beings, themselves all became renunciants.
7.114「那時，比丘們，當他們看到那些王子、那些少年都已出家成為沙門時，轉輪聖王的眷屬中有一半，共八十四百千兆眾生，他們自己也都成為了沙門。
7.115“Bhikṣus, the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha [F.69.b] Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū knew the aspiration of those mendicants and, after twenty thousand eons had passed, he taught the fourfold assembly that instruction for bodhisattvas possessed by all the buddhas, the great extensive sūtra, the Dharma teaching entitled The White Lotus of the Good Dharma.
7.115「比丘們，薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛知道那些沙門的發願，經過二萬劫之後，他為四眾弟子宣說了諸佛所具有的菩薩教法，那部廣大的經典，稱為《妙法蓮華經》的法教。」
“Bhikṣus, at that time the sixteen mendicants acquired, maintained, and understood that teaching of the Bhagavān.
「比丘眾，當時這十六位沙門受持、守護並理解了薄伽梵的教法。」
7.116“Bhikṣus, the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū then gave to the sixteen mendicants the prophecy of their complete enlightenment.
7.116「比丘眾，薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正等覺大通智勝佛隨後對十六位沙門授記他們將證得無上正等正覺。」
7.117“Bhikṣus, śrāvakas aspired to the teaching given by the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū, and the sixteen mendicants and many hundred thousands of quintillions attained freedom from doubt.
7.117「比丘們，聲聞眾渴求薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正等覺大通智勝佛所傳授的教法，十六位沙門和許多百千萬億的眾生都獲得了無疑之心。」
7.118“Bhikṣus, the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū gave this Dharma teaching of The White Lotus of the Good Dharma uninterruptedly for a hundred thousand eons. He then entered the temple in order to be alone.
7.118「比丘眾，薄伽梵、如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛大通智勝佛不間斷地為十萬劫宣說《妙法蓮華經》的法教。之後他進入寺院獨自靜處。」
7.119“Bhikṣus, the tathāgata stayed alone in the temple in that way for eighty-four thousand eons.
7.119比丘們，如來以這樣的方式在寺院中獨自停留了八萬四千劫。
7.120“Bhikṣus, the sixteen mendicants, knowing that the Bhagavān was staying in solitude, each set up a Dharma seat, a lion throne, sat upon it, and extensively taught for eighty-four thousand eons this Dharma teaching of The White Lotus of the Good Dharma to the fourfold assembly. [F.70.a]
7.120「比丘眾，這十六位沙門知道薄伽梵在獨處，各自設置了一個法座，獅子座，坐在上面，並在八萬四千劫間，向四眾弟子廣大地宣講了妙法蓮華的法教。」
7.121“Bhikṣus, each mendicant bodhisattva taught as many hundred thousand quintillions of beings as there are grains of sand in sixty Ganges Rivers. They inspired them, brought them joy, and made them retain it, and ripened them for the highest, complete enlightenment.
7.121「比丘，各位沙門菩薩教化了如同六十條恆河中沙粒數量那麼多的百千億兆個眾生。他們激勵這些眾生，使他們歡喜，讓他們保持這份歡喜，並使他們成熟於無上正等正覺。
7.122“Bhikṣus, at that time, the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū, after eighty-four thousand eons had passed, mindfully and knowingly arose from his samādhi. After the Bhagavān had arisen from his samādhi, he went to where his Dharma seat was. He came to the arranged seat and sat upon it.
7.122「比丘眾，那時大通智勝佛、如來、阿羅漢、正等覺，經過八萬四千劫後，以正念和正知從三昧中起身。薄伽梵從三昧起身後，前往他的法座所在之處。他來到安排好的座位上並坐了下去。
7.123“Bhikṣus, as soon as the Bhagavān sat on the Dharma seat, he looked upon the gathered assembly and addressed the saṇgha of bhikṣus: ‘Bhikṣus, these sixteen mendicants are amazing, wonderful, and wise; they have been honoring many hundred thousands of quintillions of buddhas, they have been perfectly practicing proper conduct, they have been encouraging beings to receive the wisdom of the buddhas, they have been introducing beings to the wisdom of the buddhas, and they have been teaching the wisdom of the buddhas. Bhikṣus, you must continue to honor these sixteen mendicants. Bhikṣus, those noble sons who follow the Śrāvakayāna, the Pratyekabuddhayāna, or the Bodhisattvayāna, who do not reject or malign the Dharma teaching, will all quickly attain the highest, complete enlightenment. They will all attain the wisdom of the Tathāgata.’
7.123「比丘眾，薄伽梵坐在法座上時，觀察聚集的眾弟子，向比丘眾的僧團開示說：『比丘眾，這十六位沙門令人驚歎、稀有且智慧超群；他們曾恭敬供養無數百千萬億的諸佛，他們已圓滿修行了正確的行持，他們鼓勵眾生接受諸佛的智慧，他們引導眾生趣入諸佛的智慧，他們教導眾生諸佛的智慧。比丘眾，你們應當繼續恭敬供養這十六位沙門。比丘眾，那些修習聲聞乘、辟支佛乘或菩薩乘的善男子，不捨棄、不毀謗此法教的，都將迅速成就無上正等正覺，他們都將獲得如來的智慧。』」
7.124“Bhikṣus, those sixteen noble sons taught again and again this Dharma teaching of The White Lotus of the Good Dharma within the teaching of that bhagavān.
7.124「比丘眾，那十六位善男子在薄伽梵的教法中，一再傳授《妙法蓮華經》的法教。」
“Bhikṣus, each of those bodhisattvas, those sixteen mendicant bodhisattva mahāsattvas, [F.70.b] guided to enlightenment as many hundred thousand quintillions of beings as there are grains of sand in sixty Ganges Rivers. All those beings, in all their lifetimes, became renunciants with those sixteen, gazed upon them, and heard the Dharma from them. They served four hundred thousand million buddhas and some are still serving buddhas.
「比丘們，那些菩薩，那十六位沙門菩薩摩訶薩，各自引導眾生證得菩提，其數量猶如六十條恆河的沙粒那樣多。所有這些眾生，在他們所有的生命中，都與那十六位出家修行，瞻仰他們，從他們那裡聽聞法教。他們侍奉過四百千萬佛，有些仍在侍奉諸佛。」
7.125“Bhikṣus, you should aspire to this and comprehend it. Those sixteen young princes who as youths were mendicants who taught the Dharma in the Bhagavān’s teaching all attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, and they are all now present, living, and remaining. In their separate buddha realms in the ten directions they are teaching the Dharma to many hundred thousand quintillions of śrāvakas and bodhisattvas.
7.125「比丘眾，你們應當發願追求此法，並且理解它。那十六位王子，年少時都是沙門，在薄伽梵的教法中教授法教，他們都證得了無上正等正覺的圓滿佛果，他們現在都存在著，活著，並且安住著。在十方各自的佛國裡，他們正在向許多百千億兆的聲聞眾和菩薩們教授法教。」
7.126“Bhikṣus, they are like this: In the eastern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Akṣobhya in the realm named Abhirati and there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Merukūṭa.
7.126「比丘們，他們是這樣的：在東方有名叫阿閦佛的如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛，住在名叫妙喜的國土裡，還有名叫須彌頂佛的如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛。」
“Bhikṣus, in the southeastern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Siṃhaghoṣa and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Siṃhadhvaja.
「比丘們，在東南方有名叫獅子吼佛的如來、阿羅漢、正等覺佛，以及名叫獅子幡佛的如來、阿羅漢、正等覺佛。」
7.127“Bhikṣus, in the southern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Ākāśapratiṣṭhita and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Nityaparinirvṛta.
7.127「比丘眾，在南方有如來、阿羅漢、正等覺名為虛空住佛，以及如來、阿羅漢、正等覺名為常滅佛。」
“Bhikṣus, in the southwestern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Indradhvaja and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Brahmadhvaja.
「比丘眾，在西南方向有如來、阿羅漢、正等覺名叫帝幢佛，以及如來、阿羅漢、正等覺名叫梵幢佛。
7.128“Bhikṣus, in the western direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Amitāyus and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Sarvalokadhātūpadravodvegapratyuttīrṇa. [F.71.a]
7.128「比丘眾，在西方有如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛，名為阿彌陀佛，以及如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛，名為一切世界幢佛。」
“Bhikṣus, in the northwestern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Tamālapatracandanagandhābhijña and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Merukalpa.
「比丘眾，在西北方有如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛，名為栴檀香佛，以及如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛，名為須彌相佛。」
7.129“Bhikṣus, in the northern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Meghasvaradīpa and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Meghasvararāja.
7.129「比丘眾，在北方有如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛，名號為雲聲燈佛，還有如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛，名號為雲音王佛。」
“Bhikṣus, in the northeastern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Sarvalokabhayacchambhitatvavidhvaṃsanarakara and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Śākyamuni.
「比丘們，在東北方有如來、阿羅漢、正等覺名叫能為一切世界怖畏除滅光佛，以及如來、阿羅漢、正等覺名叫釋迦牟尼佛。」
7.130“Those sixteen attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood in this central world realm named Sahā.
7.130「那十六位在這名叫娑婆的中央世界中獲得了無上正等正覺的圓滿佛果。」
7.131“Bhikṣus, those beings who within the teaching of that bhagavān heard the Dharma from us when we were mendicants, from each of us bodhisattvas, those hundreds of thousands of beings as numerous as the sand grains in the Ganges River were guided by us toward the highest, complete enlightenment.
7.131「比丘們，那些眾生在那位薄伽梵的教法中，當我們還是沙門時從我們聽聞了法，從我們每一位菩薩那裡聽聞了法，那些數量如恆河沙粒般眾多的數百萬眾生都被我們引導朝向無上正等正覺。
“Bhikṣus, they still remain on the level of the śrāvakas but have been ripened for the highest, complete enlightenment. They will in the course of time attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. Why is that? Bhikṣus, it is because it is difficult to aspire to the wisdom of a tathāgata. [F.71.b]
「比丘眾，他們仍然停留在聲聞的境界，但已經為無上正等正覺做好了成熟的準備。他們終將在時間的推移中獲得無上正等正覺的圓滿佛果。為什麼呢？比丘眾，這是因為渴求如來的智慧是困難的。
7.132“Bhikṣus, who are those countless hundred thousands of quintillions of beings, who are as numerous as the grains of sand in the Ganges River, whom I caused to hear the Dharma of omniscience when I was a bodhisattva in the teaching of that bhagavān? Bhikṣus, at that time, on that occasion, you were those beings.
7.132"比丘眾，那些無數百千億兆的眾生，數量如同恆河沙粒一樣眾多，我在那位薄伽梵的教法中作菩薩時，曾令他們聽聞一切智的法，比丘眾，那時候，在那個時刻，你們就是那些眾生。
“Bhikṣus, in the future times when I have passed into nirvāṇa, there will be śrāvakas who will hear of the practices of the bodhisattva, but they will not think, ‘We are bodhisattvas.’ They will all have the concept of nirvāṇa, and they will enter into nirvāṇa.
"比丘眾，在我入涅槃之後的未來時代，將會有聲聞眾聽聞菩薩的修行實踐，但他們不會認為『我們是菩薩』。他們都將具有涅槃的概念，並將進入涅槃。
7.133“Bhikṣus, however, I will be dwelling in other worlds under other names, and they will be reborn there, seeking the wisdom of the tathāgatas and they will hear, ‘There is only one nirvāṇa of the tathāgatas. There is no second nirvāṇa other than that.’
7.133「比丘眾，然而我將住在其他世界，以其他名號示現，他們將在那裡重生，追尋如來的智慧，他們將會聽聞：『如來唯有一涅槃，除此之外沒有第二涅槃。』」
“Bhikṣus, that practice of the teaching of the Dharma should be known to be the skillful method of the tathāgatas.
「比丘們，那樣修行教法應該知道，就是如來的方便。」
7.134“Bhikṣus, when a tathāgata sees that the time has come for his passing into nirvāṇa, he sees that his followers are pure, with deep dedication and realization of the Dharma of emptiness, and have acquired dhyāna and great dhyāna.
7.134「比丘們，當如來看到入涅槃的時刻已到，他看到他的弟子們清淨，具有深厚的信心和對空性法的實現，並已獲得禪定和大禪定。
“Bhikṣus, a tathāgata, knowing the time has come, assembles all the bodhisattvas and all the śrāvakas, and then proclaims to them this meaning: ‘Bhikṣus, there is no second yāna or nirvāṇa in this world at all, let alone a third. Bhikṣus, that is the skillful method of the tathāgatas. Seeing that beings have been depraved for a long time, delight in the inferior, and are attached to desires, then, bhikṣus, the tathāgata teaches them nirvāṇa in accordance with their aspirations.’ [F.72.a]
「比丘們，如來知道時候已到，便聚集所有的菩薩們和所有的聲聞眾，然後向他們宣說這樣的意思：『比丘們，在這個世界裡根本沒有第二個乘或涅槃，更不用說有第三個了。比丘們，這就是如來的方便。看到眾生長久以來品德敗壞，喜歡低劣的東西，執著於貪欲，那麼比丘們，如來就根據他們的發願為他們教授涅槃。』」
7.135“Bhikṣus, it is like this: A group of beings, in order to go to an island of jewels, comes to a jungle that is five hundred yojanas wide. They have a single guide who is wise, bright, clever, intelligent, and has brought many travelers through that difficult jungle.
7.135「比丘們，就像這樣：有一群眾生為了前往寶珠島，來到了一片寬五百由旬的叢林。他們有一位導師，他聰慧、智慧、聰敏、聰慧，並且曾經帶領許多旅人通過那片困難的叢林。」
“That great group of beings becomes tired, exhausted, and frightened. They say, ‘O noble guide, we are tired, exhausted, frightened, and miserable. We are going to turn back. This jungle goes on too far.’
「那大群眾生變得疲倦、筋疲力盡、害怕。他們說：『尊貴的導師啊，我們感到疲倦、筋疲力盡、害怕和痛苦。我們要轉身回去。這片叢林太遙遠了。』」
7.136“Bhikṣus, the guide who has skill in methods, knowing that the people wish to turn back, thinks, ‘These distressed people must not fail to reach the great island of jewels!’ Then with compassion for them he employs a skillful method. He conjures up in the middle of the jungle a miraculous city that is more than a hundred yojanas, or two hundred yojanas in size. He says to those people, ‘Do not be afraid! Do not turn back! Rest in this great region! Here you may do whatever you wish! There you will rest and attain relief from misery. Then the one who has more to accomplish can go on to the great island of jewels.’
7.136比丘們，這位有方便智慧的導師，知道這些人想要回頭，就心想：『這些受苦的人不能失敗，無法到達大寶島！』於是他對他們生起悲心，運用方便之法。他在叢林中間變現出一座奇妙的城市，寬度超過一百由旬，或者說二百由旬。他對那些人說：『不要害怕！不要回頭！在這個廣大的地區休息吧！在這裡你們可以隨心所欲！那裡你們可以休息，獲得免於痛苦的解脫。然後那些還有更多要完成的人，可以繼續前往大寶島。』
“Bhikṣus, those people who entered the jungle are astonished and think, ‘We are freed from the jungle. We will stay here where we have attained relief from misery.’
比丘眾，那些進入叢林的人們感到驚喜，心想：「我們已經脫離了叢林。我們會留在這裡，因為在這裡我們已經獲得了痛苦的解脫。」
7.137“Bhikṣus, those people enter the miraculous city and believe they have arrived at their destination. They believe they have crossed through the jungle, and they believe they have gained tranquility and relief from misery. When the guide knows that they have rested, he causes the miraculous city to vanish. [F.72.b]
7.137「比丘們，那些人進入了神奇的城市，相信自己已經到達了目的地。他們相信自己已經穿過了叢林，相信自己已經獲得了止與解脫苦難。當導師知道他們已經休息後，他就讓那個神奇的城市消失了。」
“When it has vanished he says to them, ‘This great city was conjured up by me for you to rest in. We are close to the great island of jewels so you beings should go there.’
「當它消失後，他對他們說：『這個偉大的城市是我為了讓你們休息而變現出來的。我們已經接近那座珍寶的大島了，所以你們眾生應該前往那裡。』」
7.138“Bhikṣus, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha is the guide for you and all beings.
7.138「比丘們，如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛是你們和一切眾生的導師。」
“Bhikṣus, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha sees that the great jungle of kleśas is to be left behind, departed from, and abandoned. But if these beings hear only of the wisdom of the buddhas they will be afraid and turn back, thinking, ‘The accomplishment of the wisdom of the buddhas involves many hardships!’ and they will not set out toward it.
「比丘眾，如來、阿羅漢、正等覺佛看見偉大的煩惱叢林需要被遺棄、離開和放棄。但如果這些眾生只聽聞諸佛的智慧，他們將會害怕而退縮，心想：『成就諸佛的智慧涉及許多艱辛！』他們將不會朝著這個方向前進。」
7.139“The Tathāgata knows the weakness of the aspirations of beings. Just as the guide conjured up a miraculous city for beings to rest in, and when they had rested told them that this was a miraculous city, in that way, bhikṣus, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha employs a great skillful method so that beings may rest. He describes and teaches two levels of intermediate nirvāṇas. Those are the level of the śrāvakas and the level of the pratyekabuddhas.
7.139「如來知道眾生的發願之心有其局限。就像導師為眾生變現了一座奇妙的城市讓他們休息，當他們休息完後告訴他們這是一座變現的城市一樣，比丘們啊，如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺佛運用偉大的方便，使眾生能夠休息。他描述並教導了兩個層次的中間涅槃。那就是聲聞的層次和辟支佛的層次。」
7.140“Bhikṣus, while the beings are dwelling on those levels, then, bhikṣus, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha says to them, ‘Bhikṣus, you have not done what needs to be done, you have not accomplished what needs to be accomplished! Bhikṣus, you are close to the wisdom of the Tathāgata. Look and see! Understand! That which is your nirvāṇa is not nirvāṇa. Bhikṣus, the three yānas that the tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly enlightened buddhas teach are their skillful method.’ ”
7.140「比丘們，當這些眾生住在那些階位時，那麼比丘們，如來、阿羅漢、正遍知佛就對他們說：『比丘們，你們還沒有做完應該做的事，還沒有完成應該完成的事！比丘們，你們已經接近如來的智慧了。看一看吧！要明白啊！你們所謂的涅槃並不是真正的涅槃。比丘們，如來眾、阿羅漢眾、正等正覺佛眾所宣講的三乘，那就是他們的方便。』」
7.141Then the Bhagavān taught this in detail through verses: [F.73.a]
7.141於是薄伽梵用偈頌詳細地宣說了這些教法：
7.191This concludes “The Past,” the seventh chapter of the Dharma teaching of “The White Lotus of the Good Dharma.” [B7]
7.191（結尾）