Chapter Five: Practicing Diligence
第五章：修習精進波羅蜜
5.1The Blessed One then spoke to the bodhisattva great being Sāgaramati: “Sāgaramati, bodhisattvas must practice diligence. Bodhisattvas must always persevere and show great determination. They should not give up their dedication. Sāgaramati, unsurpassed and perfect awakening is not difficult to discover for bodhisattvas who practice diligence. And why not? Sāgaramati, where there is diligence there is awakening. Awakening is far and distant from those who are lazy. Those who are lazy have no generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, insight, personal benefit, or benefit for others. Sāgaramati, one should understand from this lesson that unsurpassed and perfect awakening is not difficult for bodhisattvas who practice diligence.
5.1世尊對菩薩大士海意菩薩說：「海意菩薩，菩薩必須修習精進波羅蜜。菩薩必須始終堅持不懈，展現大決心。他們不應該放棄迴向。海意菩薩，對於修習精進波羅蜜的菩薩來說，無上正等正覺並不難獲得。為什麼呢？海意菩薩，有精進的地方就有覺悟。覺悟遠離那些懶惰的人。懶惰的人沒有布施波羅蜜、戒律、忍辱波羅蜜、精進波羅蜜、禪定波羅蜜、智慧、自身的利益，也沒有他人的利益。海意菩薩，應當從這個教導理解，修習精進波羅蜜的菩薩獲得無上正等正覺並不難。」
5.2“Sāgaramati, at one point in the past, [F.40.b] seven immeasurable eons ago, there was an eon called Flower Origin. At that time there was a world called Astounding Sight in which the blessed buddha Dīptavīrya appeared. He was a thus-gone, worthy, perfect buddha, someone learned and virtuous, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, a charioteer who guides beings, an unsurpassed being, and a teacher of gods and humans.
5.2海意菩薩，在過去的某個時候，七個不可計量的劫之前，有一個名叫花原劫的劫。當時有一個世界名叫奇妙視界，在那裡出現了名叫熾然精進的佛陀。他是一位如來、應供、正遍知佛、聞法者和具有美德的人、善逝、世間解、調御丈夫、無上士和天人師。
5.3“Why was that eon called Flower Origin? Sāgaramati, when the worlds of that trichiliocosm burned and were subsequently destroyed by water, eighty-four thousand radiant and beautiful lotuses with tens of trillions of petals appeared and filled that mass of water. When the gods of the pure realms saw those lotuses, they were satisfied, happy, delighted, joyful, and at ease. Experiencing such joy and pleasure, they saw these flowers to be indicative of the extent of the perfect buddhas to appear in the world. Thus, they exclaimed, ‘Amazing! This eon Flower Origin will not be empty of blessed buddhas.’ And that is how Flower Origin came to be called Flower Origin.
5.3「海意菩薩，為什麼那個劫被稱為花原劫呢？海意菩薩，當那個三千大千世界的世界被火焚燒，隨後被水所毀滅時，八萬四千朵光彩奪目、美麗的蓮花出現了，它們擁有數十兆片花瓣，充滿了那片水域。當淨土的天人看到這些蓮花時，他們感到滿足、快樂、欣喜、歡樂和安樂。經歷著這樣的喜悅和快樂，他們看到這些花朵是世界上將出現的諸佛多寡的徵兆。因此，他們歡呼道：『奇妙啊！花原劫這個時代將不會沒有諸佛。』這就是花原劫得名為花原劫的原因。」
5.4“Why was that world called Astounding Sight, Sāgaramati? When countless and fathomless numbers of bodhisattvas came from the buddha realms of the ten directions to behold this universe, they immediately achieved an absorption called ‘joyful appearance’ and were satisfied with every kind of pleasure. This world was that pure. Thus, this world was called Astounding Sight. [F.41.a] Sāgaramati, in this world the seven precious materials existed by the thousands. The jeweled trees and jeweled mansions were luminous. This world was free from female lust and pregnancy. Instead, everyone there was born miraculously, seated cross-legged in lotuses. Nobody in this world practiced any other vehicle than the Great Vehicle. The gods and humans subsisted by enjoying food and drink at their wish, like the gods of the Heaven of Joy. They sported with super-knowledge and flew through space.
5.4「海意菩薩，那個世界為什麼叫做奇妙視界呢？當無數無量的菩薩從十方佛土來觀看這個宇宙時，他們立即進入了名叫『喜現』的三昧，對各種快樂都感到滿足。這個世界就是這樣清淨。因此，這個世界被稱為奇妙視界。海意菩薩，在這個世界裡，七寶以千計地存在著。珠寶樹和珠寶樓閣都放著光芒。這個世界沒有女性的貪欲和懷孕。相反，所有人都從蓮花中結跏趺坐而出生。這個世界裡，沒有人修習大乘以外的任何法門。天人和人類靠著隨意享受飲食而生活，就像樂天的天人一樣。他們使用神通遊戲，在虛空中飛行。」
5.5“The blessed thus-gone Dīptavīrya’s bodhisattva saṅgha was composed of 360 million ordained bodhisattva great beings. The limitless lay and ordained practitioners were all engaged in the Great Vehicle.
5.5「熾然精進佛的菩薩僧伽由三億六千萬位出家菩薩摩訶薩所組成。無量的在家和出家弟子都修行大乘。
5.6“Sāgaramati, the blessed thus-gone Dīptavīrya gave extensive teachings on diligence, encouraging these bodhisattvas, saying, ‘Sublime beings, you must practice diligence. You must persevere and show fierce determination. You must not lose your dedication.’
5.6「海意，那位世尊熾然精進如來對這些菩薩作了廣泛的精進波羅蜜教法，鼓勵他們說：『勝者們，你們必須修行精進波羅蜜。你們必須堅持不懈，展現出激烈的決心。你們不可放棄你們的迴向。』」
5.7“At that point, Sāgaramati, the bodhisattva great being Solid Armor was among the bodhisattva assembly. He asked the Blessed One, ‘Blessed One, how should a bodhisattva practice diligence? Please describe the diligence that the Thus-Gone One has encouraged in the bodhisattvas.’
5.7「此時，海意菩薩，出家菩薩大士堅甲菩薩在菩薩眾中。他向世尊提問：『世尊，菩薩應該如何修習精進波羅蜜？請為我們講述如來在菩薩們中所倡導的精進波羅蜜。』」
5.8“Sāgaramati, the blessed thus-gone Dīptavīrya answered the bodhisattva [F.41.b] Solid Armor, saying, ‘Noble son, there are four types of diligence that assemble the virtuous qualities of bodhisattvas. What are these four? They are endeavor, commitment, contemplation, and accomplishment. Noble son, these four types of diligence assemble the virtuous qualities of bodhisattvas. What then are endeavor, commitment, contemplation, and accomplishment?
5.8「海意菩薩，熾然精進如來答堅甲菩薩說：『善男子，有四種精進聚集菩薩的善法功德。這四種是什麼呢？它們是精進、承諾、思惟和成就。善男子，這四種精進聚集菩薩的善法功德。那麼什麼是精進、承諾、思惟和成就呢？
5.9“ ‘Noble son, endeavor is developing the mind directed toward awakening. Commitment is cultivating all roots of virtue. Contemplation is the means of benefiting all beings. Accomplishment is accepting that which brings this about.
5.9「善男子，精進是發起菩提心。承諾是培養一切善根。思惟是利益一切有情的方法。成就是接受能夠帶來這一切的因素。」
5.10“ ‘Also, endeavor is seeking out study. Commitment is displaying learnedness. Contemplation is appropriate mental engagement. Accomplishment is the right view of noble beings.
5.10「又精進是尋求聞思，承諾是顯現多聞，思惟是正思惟，成就是聖正見。
5.11“ ‘Also, endeavor is eliminating the mind of stinginess. Commitment is giving up all one’s things. Contemplation is dedicating everything to awakening alongside all beings. Accomplishment is not hoping for ripening.
5.11"又精進波羅蜜是除滅慳貪心，承諾是捨棄一切所有，思惟是將一切迴向菩提與一切有情共成正果，成就是不期望果報成熟。"
5.12“ ‘Also, endeavor is professing great charity. Commitment is perceiving all beggars as spiritual friends. Contemplation is weariness with one’s impermanent possessions. Accomplishment is not regretting giving.
5.12" '又，精進是宣說大布施。承諾是將一切乞者視為善知識。思惟是對自己無常之物感到厭倦。成就是不後悔布施。
5.13“ ‘Also, endeavor is seeking out the wealth of Dharma. Commitment is having a pure livelihood. Contemplation is having the sense that one is living meaningfully. Accomplishment is not becoming proud about being generous.
5.13「另外，精進是尋求法財。承諾是擁有清淨生活。思惟是具有一個人活得有意義的感受。成就是不對布施而感到驕慢。
5.14“ ‘Also, endeavor is eliminating the stain of corrupt discipline. Commitment is not letting up on discipline and asceticism. Contemplation is ripening beings who have corrupt discipline. [F.42.a] Accomplishment is not becoming proud about the qualities of discipline.
5.14「同樣地，精進是清除破戒的垢染。承諾是不鬆懈戒律和苦行。思惟是成熟具有破戒的有情。成就是不因戒律的功德而變得驕慢。
5.15“ ‘Also, endeavor is purifying the body. Commitment is purifying the speech. Contemplation is purifying the mind. Accomplishment is purifying phenomena.
5.15「同時，精進是淨化身體。承諾是淨化言語。思惟是淨化心念。成就是淨化法。」
5.16“ ‘Also, endeavor is giving malice no chance. Commitment is understanding the power of patience. Contemplation is protecting self and other. Accomplishment is not becoming proud about patience.
5.16"「同樣地，精進是不給惡心任何機會。承諾是理解忍辱波羅蜜的力量。思惟是保護自我和他人。成就是不因忍辱波羅蜜而變得驕慢。」
5.17“ ‘Also, endeavor is maintaining faith in the face of criticism and aggression. Commitment is not becoming familiar with criticism and aggression. Contemplation is eliminating inner pain. Accomplishment is not apprehending self or other.
5.17「同樣地，精進是在譭毀與瞋恚面前保持信根。承諾是不習慣於譭毀與瞋恚。思惟是消除內在的痛苦。成就是不執著自我或他人。
5.18“ ‘Also, endeavor is eliminating the stain of laziness. Commitment is disengaging from the stain of diligence. Contemplation is ripening lazy beings. Accomplishment is engaging in these actions.
5.18「另外，精進是消除懈怠的垢。承諾是脫離精進波羅蜜的垢。思惟是使懈怠者因果成熟。成就是從事這些行為。」
5.19“ ‘Also, endeavor is accomplishing one’s tasks. Commitment is mastering one’s tasks. Contemplation is not putting one’s hopes in other vehicles. Accomplishment is not losing faith in karmic ripening.
5.19「又精進是完成自己的事業。承諾是掌握自己的事業。思惟是不將希望寄託在其他法門。成就是不喪失對因果成熟的信根。」
5.20“ ‘Also, endeavor is mindfulness. Commitment is understanding. Contemplation is intelligence. Accomplishment is aspiration.
5.20" '又，精進波羅蜜是正念。承諾是慧。思惟是智慧。成就是願。
5.21“ ‘Also, endeavor is knowledge. Commitment is a way. Contemplation is a gateway. Accomplishment is the occurrence of those.
5.21「又精進是智，承諾是道路，思惟是門戶，成就是這些的出現。」
5.22“ ‘Also, endeavor is mastering language. Commitment is using language. Contemplation is eliminating language. Accomplishment is realizing the Dharma to be indescribable.
5.22'精進是掌握語言。承諾是運用語言。思惟是消除語言。成就是認識法是無法言說的。
5.23“ ‘Also, endeavor is relying on a spiritual friend. Commitment is abandoning evil companions. Contemplation is equanimity toward friends and enemies. Accomplishment is not acting contrary to what one espouses.
5.23「同時，精進就是依靠善知識。承諾就是放棄惡友。思惟就是對友敵平等心。成就就是不違背自己所信奉的。」
5.24“ ‘Also, endeavor is the mind that goes forth. Commitment is to disregard joy and displeasure. [F.42.b] Contemplation is investigating what virtue is. Accomplishment is attaining wisdom without relying on anything else.
5.24「同樣地，精進是向前奮進的心。承諾是不顧念喜樂和痛苦。思惟是探究功德是什麼。成就是獲得智慧而不依賴任何其他東西。」
5.25“ ‘Also, endeavor is staying in seclusion. Commitment is disliking distractions. Contemplation is delighting in solitude. Accomplishment is living without afflictions.
5.25「又精進是住於獨處。承諾是厭離散亂。思惟是歡喜寂靜。成就是沒有煩惱而生活。」
5.26“ ‘Also, endeavor is having few desires. Commitment is being content. Contemplation is being easily sated. Accomplishment is knowing the right measures.
5.26'此外，精進是少欲。承諾是知足。思惟是易於滿足。成就是知道適當的分寸。
5.27“ ‘Also, endeavor is training in higher discipline. Commitment is not relaxing one’s discipline. Contemplation is training in higher motivation. Accomplishment is training in higher insight.
5.27「同樣地，精進是訓練增上戒。承諾是不鬆懈自己的戒律。思惟是訓練增上心。成就是訓練增上慧。
5.28“ ‘Also, endeavor denotes the perfections of generosity and discipline. Commitment denotes the perfections of patience and diligence. Contemplation denotes the perfections of concentration and insight. Accomplishment denotes the perfections of wisdom and skill in means.
5.28「同樣地，精進表示布施波羅蜜和戒律波羅蜜。承諾表示忍辱波羅蜜和精進波羅蜜。思惟表示禪定波羅蜜和智慧。成就表示智慧和方便波羅蜜。」
5.29“ ‘Also, endeavor is giving. Commitment is speaking pleasantly. Contemplation is acting meaningfully. Accomplishment is being in tune with the truth.
5.29「又精進是布施，承諾是柔和地說話，思惟是有意義地行動，成就是與諦相符。」
5.30“ ‘Also, endeavor is great love. Commitment is great compassion. Contemplation is great joy. Accomplishment is great equanimity.
5.30" '又精進是大愛。承諾是大悲。思惟是大喜。成就是大捨。
5.31“ ‘Also, endeavor is purifying realms. Commitment is perfecting the major and minor marks of perfection. Contemplation is upholding the sublime Dharma. Accomplishment is ripening beings.
5.31「又，精進是淨化世界。承諾是完善三十二相八十種好。思惟是受持妙法。成就是成熟眾生。
5.32“ ‘Also, endeavor is understanding the māra of the aggregates. Commitment is transcending the māra of the afflictions. Contemplation is abandoning the māra of the Lord of Death. Accomplishment is defeating the māra of the gods.
5.32「又精進是認識蘊魔，承諾是超越煩惱魔，思惟是捨棄死魔，成就是戰勝天魔。
5.33“ ‘Also, endeavor is understanding suffering. Commitment is abandoning its origin. Contemplation is cultivating the path. [F.43.a] Accomplishment is actualizing cessation.
5.33" '又，精進是了解苦。承諾是捨棄集諦。思惟是修習道。成就是實現滅諦。
5.34“ ‘Also, endeavor is the application of mindfulness to the body. Commitment is the application of mindfulness to sensations. Contemplation is the application of mindfulness to mind. Accomplishment is the application of mindfulness to phenomena.
5.34「同樣地，精進是身念住。承諾是受念住。思惟是心念住。成就是法念住。
5.35“ ‘Also, endeavor is faith. Commitment is diligence. Contemplation is mindfulness and concentration. Accomplishment is insight.
5.35「同樣地，精進是信根。承諾是精進波羅蜜。思惟是正念和禪定波羅蜜。成就是智慧。
5.36“ ‘Also, endeavor is abandoning nonvirtuous phenomena. Commitment is perfecting virtuous phenomena. Contemplation is making the body and mind pliant. Accomplishment is attaining unconditioned miracles.
5.36『又，精進是捨棄不善法。承諾是圓滿善法。思惟是使身心輕安。成就是獲得無為神通。』
5.37“ ‘Also, endeavor is the branches of awakening. Commitment is the path. Contemplation is tranquility and special insight. Accomplishment is knowledge and liberation.
5.37" 「同樣地，精進是覺支。承諾是道。思惟是寂靜和勝觀。成就是智和解脫。
5.38“ ‘Also, endeavor is engaged conduct. Commitment is the conduct aimed at the good. Contemplation is a refined mind. Accomplishment is irreversible wisdom.’
5.38「又精進是行為安住，承諾是朝向善的行為，思惟是細緻的心，成就是不退轉的智慧。」
5.39“Moreover, Sāgaramati, the blessed thus-gone Dīptavīrya said to the bodhisattva Solid Armor, ‘Noble son, diligence purifies body and mind. Diligence understands name and form. Diligence ends self-grasping and grasping to what is “mine.” Diligence casts aside grasping and bondage. Diligence eliminates obscurations and upheavals. Diligence abandons regret and doubt. Diligence eliminates knots and pain. Diligence transcends reference points and discontinuity. Diligence discards both ordinary pride and excessive pride. [F.43.b] Diligence transcends ground and location. Diligence discards attachment and aggression. Diligence purifies ignorance and the craving for existence. Diligence is not motivated by attachment and aggression. Diligence is free of stupidity and lack of discrimination. Diligence understands inner and outer sense sources. Diligence sees that the aggregates and elements are primordially unborn. Diligence pacifies, quells, and calms the mind. Diligence does not observe any phenomena when it contemplates them. Diligence is nondual and inseparable. Diligence fully understands reality. Diligence is without proliferation or inactivity. Diligence is without acquisition or abandonment. Diligence does nothing, yet neither is it without action. Diligence is without raising up or setting down. Diligence is without taking up or discarding. Diligence is without bondage or liberation. Diligence is untrammeled and does not trammel upon others. Diligence is neither arrogant nor careless. Diligence neither views nor beholds. Diligence neither pacifies nor blazes. Diligence neither guards nor does not guard. Diligence does not arrive, nor does it not arrive.’
5.39「而且，海意菩薩，那位受祝福的如來熾然精進對菩薩堅甲這樣說：『善男子，精進淨化身心。精進了解名色。精進終止自我執著和對「我的」的執著。精進拋棄執著和束縛。精進消除障礙和動亂。精進放棄後悔和疑惑。精進消除結縛和痛苦。精進超越參照點和間斷。精進摒棄普通的驕慢和過度的驕慢。精進超越地基和位置。精進摒棄貪著和瞋恚。精進淨化無明和對存在的貪欲。精進不受貪著和瞋恚驅動。精進遠離愚癡和缺乏辨別力。精進了解內外的感官所緣。精進看到五蘊和十八界本來無生。精進使心平靜、平復和寧靜。精進在思惟諸法時不觀察任何現象。精進是不二的且不可分割。精進充分了解真如。精進沒有增長或不活動。精進沒有獲得或放棄。精進不作為，但也不是沒有作為。精進沒有升起或放下。精進沒有執取或舍棄。精進沒有束縛或解脫。精進暢通無阻，也不阻礙他人。精進既不傲慢也不疏忽。精進既不觀看也不凝視。精進既不平靜也不熾盛。精進既不守護也不放任。精進不到達，也不是不到達。』」
5.40“Sāgaramati, when the blessed thus-gone Dīptavīrya gave extensive teachings on diligence, ten thousand beings attained the acceptance that phenomena are unborn. [F.44.a] Having heard this teaching on diligence, the bodhisattva Solid Armor pursued virtuous qualities and practiced diligence. Practicing diligence, ten million years passed without him giving up his dedication, whereupon he attained the lesser level of acceptance. Practicing diligence, he exerted himself in the pursuit of virtue, and while doing so, he passed away. Dying and transmigrating, he was miraculously born in the presence of that very Thus-Gone One and heard this condensed Dharma teaching from him. Thus, he diligently sought the Dharma and while doing so, he passed away. Sāgaramati, this bodhisattva pleased eighty-four thousand buddhas with this teaching and used everything that occurred in the Flower Origin eon to practice diligence. Thus, he diligently sought virtuous qualities and while doing so, he passed away.
5.40海意菩薩，當時被祝福的如來熾然精進廣泛開示精進波羅蜜時，一萬個有情證得了無生法忍。聽聞了這部關於精進波羅蜜的法教之後，菩薩堅甲菩薩追求善法並修習精進波羅蜜。修習精進波羅蜜，他用了一千萬年的時間而沒有放棄他的迴向，於是他證得了較低層次的忍。修習精進波羅蜜，他在追求善法中努力精進，就在這樣做的過程中，他去世了。死亡和轉生後，他以神變的方式在那位如來的面前出生，並從他那裡聽聞了這部凝聚的法教。因此，他精進地尋求法教，就在這樣做的過程中，他去世了。海意菩薩，這位菩薩用這部法教令八萬四千位佛陀歡喜，並將花原劫中發生的一切都用來修習精進波羅蜜。因此，他精進地追求善法，就在這樣做的過程中，他去世了。
5.41“Sāgaramati, you should not think that the bodhisattva Solid Armor is someone unknown to you. If you are uncertain, vacillating, or doubtful, do not think that way. Why not? Sāgaramati, it was I who was at that time the bodhisattva Solid Armor. Sāgaramati, by putting forth this quality of effort, I distinguished myself from hundreds of thousands of other bodhisattvas. Sāgaramati, if it took me such effort and that much hardship to awaken to buddhahood, what can be said about those who are lazy and have weak diligence? How could they gain awakening? They are far, very far from it. [F.44.b] Sāgaramati, the point of this anecdote is that practicing diligence brings purification, being lazy does not. Sāgaramati, one should understand from this anecdote that where there is diligence and carefulness, there will be awakening.”
5.41「海意菩薩，你不應該認為堅甲菩薩是你不認識的人。如果你不確定、搖擺不定或有疑惑，不要這樣想。為什麼呢？海意菩薩，那個時候的堅甲菩薩就是我。海意菩薩，通過發起這種精進的功德，我在數十萬個菩薩中脫穎而出。海意菩薩，我為了覺悟到佛果需要付出這樣的努力和這麼多的辛苦，那麼對於那些懶惰、精進微弱的人來說，怎麼能說呢？他們要獲得覺悟是非常遠遠的。海意菩薩，這個故事的要點是：實踐精進能帶來淨化，而懶惰則不能。海意菩薩，應當從這個故事中理解：有精進和審慎的地方，就會有覺悟。」
5.42When the Blessed One had related this story from the past, expressing the meaning of diligence, five thousand bodhisattvas gained acceptance that phenomena are unborn. Seven thousand gods and human beings developed the mind directed toward unsurpassed and perfect awakening. The Blessed One then expressed this in verse:
5.42世尊講述了這個往昔的故事，闡明了精進的意義。當時，五千位菩薩獲得了無生法忍。七千位天人發起了趣向無上正等菩提的心。世尊隨後用偈頌來表達這個意思：