The Translation
[F.271.b]
1.1Homage to all buddhas and bodhisattvas.
1.1恭敬禮敬一切佛陀和菩薩。
Thus did I hear at one time. The Bhagavān was residing in Rājagṛha, at the Kalandakanivāsa in Veṇuvana, with a great saṅgha of five hundred bhikṣus and a great saṅgha of seventy-two thousand bodhisattvas. At that time the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was also seated in the assembly.
我是這樣聽聞的。當時，薄伽梵住在王舍城，在竹林園的迦蘭陀竹林，有五百位比丘組成的大僧團，以及七萬兩千位菩薩組成的大僧團。當時菩薩摩訶薩彌勒也坐在大眾中。
1.2The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya rose from his seat, draped his upper robe over one shoulder, knelt on his right knee, and with palms joined bowed to the Bhagavān and said, “With permission, I would like to ask the blessed, thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha some questions.”
1.2菩薩摩訶薩彌勒從座而起，偏袒右肩，右膝著地，合掌向薄伽梵頂禮，而作是言：「我今蒙許，欲請問如來、阿羅漢、正等覺佛陀若干義理。」
1.3The Bhagavān replied, “Maitreya, the Tathāgata will always grant you permission. Maitreya, ask the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha whatever you wish, and I shall ease your mind by answering each of your questions.”
1.3薄伽梵回答說：「彌勒，如來會常常允許你。彌勒，你可以問如來、阿羅漢、無上圓滿菩提的佛陀任何你想知道的事情，我會回答你所有的問題，讓你心裡得到安心。」
1.4The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya then asked the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, [F.272.a] what are the qualities that bodhisattva mahāsattvas need to have so that none of Māra’s hordes will cause them obstacles, so that none of Māra’s retinue will transgress against them, so that out of love for sentient beings they will live for a long time, and so that they will soon fully awaken to unexcelled and perfect awakening?”
1.4菩薩摩訶薩彌勒於是問薄伽梵：「薄伽梵，菩薩摩訶薩應當具備什麼樣的功德，才能使魔的軍隊不會對他們造成障礙，魔的眷屬不會觸犯他們，他們因為對眾生的愛心而長久住世，並且能夠迅速證得無上圓滿菩提？」
1.5The Bhagavān replied to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, “Maitreya, excellent, excellent! Maitreya, your intention in asking the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha about this matter is excellent, since you act for the benefit of many beings, aim for the happiness of many beings, have compassion for the world, and seek the welfare, benefit, and well-being of gods and humans. Hence, Maitreya, listen very well and keep it in mind! I will explain it.”
1.5薄伽梵對菩薩摩訶薩彌勒說：「彌勒，好極了，好極了！彌勒，你向如來、阿羅漢、正等正覺的佛陀請問這個問題的心意，那是非常美好的，因為你是為了利益眾多的眾生，以快樂眾多眾生為目標，對世界懷有悲心，並且尋求神和人的福祉、利益和安樂。因此，彌勒，要好好聆聽，銘記於心！我將為你解說。」
The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya replied, “I will do so,” and he listened accordingly as the Bhagavān taught as follows.
菩薩摩訶薩彌勒回答說：「我會這樣做」，他就恭敬聆聽薄伽梵的教導。
1.6“Maitreya, there are five qualities that bodhisattva mahāsattvas should have so that none of Māra’s hordes will cause them obstacles, so that none of Māra’s retinue will transgress against them, so that out of love for sentient beings they will live for a long time, and so that they will soon fully awaken to unexcelled and perfect awakening. What are those five qualities? They are the unceasing giving of the Dharma; the unceasing giving of freedom from fear; the unceasing practice of great love, great compassion, great joy, and great equanimity; the unceasing repair of dilapidated stūpas; [F.272.b] and the unceasing inspiring of all beings to set their minds on awakening. Maitreya, if bodhisattva mahāsattvas have those five qualities, none of Māra’s hordes will cause them obstacles, none of Māra’s retinue will transgress against them, out of love for sentient beings they will live for a long time, and they will soon fully awaken to unexcelled and perfect awakening.”
1.6「彌勒，菩薩摩訶薩應當具足五種功德，這樣就不會被魔的軍眾所障礙，不會被魔的眷屬所侵害，他們出於對眾生的愛心將會長壽住世，並且很快就會無上圓滿菩提。那五種功德是什麼呢？就是不斷地施予法，不斷地施予無畏，不斷地修行大愛、大悲、大喜和大捨，不斷地修繕破損的塔，以及不斷地激勵所有眾生把心轉向覺悟。彌勒，如果菩薩摩訶薩具足了這五種功德，就不會被魔的軍眾所障礙，不會被魔的眷屬所侵害，他們出於對眾生的愛心將會長壽住世，並且很快就會無上圓滿菩提。」
1.7When the Bhagavān had taught this discourse on the five qualities, the minds of five thousand bhikṣus became free of all defilements with no further appropriation; seventy-two thousand bodhisattvas attained the acceptance that phenomena do not arise; and the Dharma eye of eighty-four thousand gods regarding phenomena became purified, free from dust and stains, and without defilements.
1.7薄伽梵宣說了這五種功德的法語之後，五千位比丘的心遠離了所有垢染，不再有任何執著；七萬二千位菩薩證得了法不生忍；八萬四千位天神關於諸法的法眼變得清淨，遠離塵垢和污跡，沒有垢染。
1.8The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya then said to the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, I feel inspired to speak. Well-Gone One, I feel inspired to speak.”
1.8菩薩摩訶薩彌勒於是對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，我受到啟發想要說話。善逝，我受到啟發想要說話。」
1.9The Bhagavān said, “Noble son, speak if you know the time has come.”
1.9薄伽梵說：「善男子，如果你認為時機已到，就請說吧。」
1.10Having thus received the Bhagavān’s permission, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya rose from his seat, draped his upper robe over one shoulder, knelt on his right knee, and with palms joined bowed to the Bhagavān and said, “Bhagavān, how marvelous that this Dharma discourse has been taught by the Bhagavān in order that all beings—sick because of desire, anger, and ignorance, and obscured by the darkness of the cataracts and visual aberrations of all views—may have their illnesses of the afflictions cured, and have their unexcelled Dharma eye purified! Bhagavān, this Dharma discourse you have taught is a great nectar! [F.273.a] Bhagavān, this Dharma discourse you have taught is a great panacea! Even for beings born as animals, those who happen to hear this Dharma discourse will have gathered thereby an accumulation of great roots of virtue and will be superior to all beings. They will behold all buddhas. They will be of great service to many beings. They will bring about roots of virtue. They will purify their karmic obscurations, be freed from the animal realm, and attain human bodies. Then, remembering their previous lifetimes and gaining faith in the teachings of the Tathāgata, they will be reborn in any buddha realm they wish. So if that is the case even for them, what need is there to mention those who hear this teaching as human beings?
1.10彌勒菩薩摩訶薩由此得到薄伽梵的許可，從座位上起身，將上衣披在一個肩膀上，跪在右膝上，雙手合掌向薄伽梵禮拜，說道：「薄伽梵，這部法的開示是由薄伽梵為了使所有眾生——被欲望、瞋恨和愚癡所苦，被所有見解的白內障和視覺障礙的黑暗所遮蔽的眾生——能夠治癒煩惱的疾病，並且淨化無上的法眼，真是太殊勝了！薄伽梵，這部您所開示的法的教導是偉大的甘露！薄伽梵，這部您所開示的法的教導是偉大的靈藥！即使對於生為畜生的眾生，那些碰巧聽到這部法的開示的眾生，也將由此積累了偉大的善根，並且將優於所有眾生。他們將看到所有的佛陀。他們將對許多眾生有偉大的幫助。他們將生起善根。他們將淨化業障，從畜生道解脫，獲得人身。然後，憶起他們的前世，對如來的教導生起信心，他們將在任何他們希望的佛土中重生。既然對他們如此，那麼對於以人身聽聞這個教導的眾生，還有什麼需要多說呢？」
1.11“Bhagavān, hearing this Dharma discourse is of great benefit to beings. Bhagavān, beings who hear this Dharma discourse belong to the assembly of those who are certain to awaken fully to unexcelled and perfect awakening. Respected Bhagavān, because they will be embraced by the thus-gone, worthy, perfect buddhas, they will soon fully awaken to unexcelled and perfect awakening.”
1.11「薄伽梵，聽聞這部法的教說對眾生有很大的利益。薄伽梵，聽聞這部法的教說的眾生屬於必定會覺悟無上圓滿菩提的大眾。尊敬的薄伽梵，因為他們將被如來、阿羅漢、完全圓滿的佛陀所攝受，他們將很快完全覺悟無上圓滿菩提。」
1.12“Excellent, Maitreya, excellent!” said the Bhagavān. “Maitreya, it is just as you have said. It is the truth. It is that alone. It is unmistaken. Even those who listen to this Dharma discourse doubtingly will have no small roots of virtue, so what need is there to mention those who listen to, retain, hold, read, master, and [F.273.b] teach it extensively and properly without any doubts? Such holders of the sūtra will not encounter the works of Māra. They will not be harmed by desire, anger, ignorance, pride, avarice, rage, or malevolence. Their bodies will not be stricken by plague or disease. In whatever region such a sūtra as this is kept, wherever such a Dharma teacher dwells, or wherever this Dharma discourse is written down as a scripture—in such places all diseases, epidemics, harm, contagions, and conflicts will be quelled.”
1.12薄伽梵說：「好極了，彌勒，好極了！彌勒，正如你所說的一樣。這是真實的。就是這樣。沒有錯誤。即使那些懷疑地聽聞這部法的人，也會積累不少的善根，更何況那些聽聞、受持、執持、誦讀、精通並廣泛正確地講述這部經文，且沒有任何懷疑的人呢？這樣的經文持有者不會遭遇魔的作為。他們不會被欲望、憤怒、愚癡、傲慢、貪婪、憤恨或惡意所傷害。他們的身體不會被瘟疫或疾病所襲擊。無論在什麼地區保存著這樣的經文，無論這樣的法師住在什麼地方，或者無論這部法在什麼地方被書寫成經典——在這樣的地方，所有的疾病、瘟疫、傷害、傳染病和衝突都會被平息。」
1.13Then the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya said to the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, later, in the future, during the final five hundred years when the time of destruction has come, the true Dharma is disappearing, and there is a great danger that the Buddha’s awakening will vanish, I shall teach this Dharma discourse to those noble beings. I shall invigorate them. In places where a holder of this sūtra resides, I shall quell all untimely cold winds, winter rains, famine, diseases, plagues, epidemics, infectious disease, harm, and conflict. In a place where this Dharma discourse is kept and written down as a scripture or tied at the top of a banner and worshiped—in such a place, all the terrors of hostile armies, thieves, rākṣasas, and ḍākinīs will be quelled through my blessing. I shall bless those places where such Dharma teachers reside and where this sūtra is kept, so that all harvests, riches, grains, flowers, leaves, and fruits may be abundant, and all kinds of joy may arise.” [F.274.a]
1.13菩薩摩訶薩彌勒對薄伽梵說："薄伽梵，將來未來時期，當末法時代來臨時，真正的法逐漸消亡，佛陀的覺悟即將消失的危急關頭，我將向那些高尚的眾生傳授這部法的教說。我將激勵他們。在持誦這部經的人住處，我將息滅所有不時的寒風、冬日降雨、饑荒、疾病、瘟疫、傳染病、傷害和衝突。在保存這部法的教說、謄寫為經文或懸掛於旗幡頂端而受人恭敬的地方——在這樣的地方，通過我的加持，一切來自敵軍、盜賊、羅剎和空行母的恐懼都將被息滅。我將在有這樣的法師住處和保存此經的地方施予祝福，使一切收成、財富、穀物、花朵、樹葉和果實都得以豐盛，各種喜心都得以生起。"
1.14“Excellent, Maitreya!” said the Bhagavān. “It is excellent indeed that you have donned the great armor and proclaimed the lion’s roar for the benefit of all beings in order to uphold the true Dharma of the Tathāgata and to sustain the Dharma way of the Tathāgata. I entrust this Dharma discourse to you. Thereby, later, in the future, during the final five hundred years when the time of destruction has come, the true Dharma is disappearing, and there is a great danger that the Buddha’s awakening will vanish, you should teach this Dharma discourse to all beings. You should proclaim it. You should inspire those noble beings. You should proclaim that they must do nothing else but persevere in taking ultimate reality as their authority. You should teach them only according to ultimate reality. You should be sure to teach them in such a way that those noble beings understand this Dharma discourse unmistakably as it is.”
1.14「很好，彌勒！」薄伽梵說道。「你穿上偉大的甲冑，為了利益一切眾生而發出獅子吼，以此維護如來的真實法，延續如來的法道，這實在是非常殊勝。我將這部法的論述託付給你。因此，在未來，當末世五百年來臨，毀滅的時代到來，真實法正在消亡，佛陀的覺悟即將消失的危急時刻，你應當向一切眾生宣講這部法的論述。你應當宣傳它。你應當鼓勵那些高潔的眾生。你應當宣告他們除了以究竟實相作為依靠而努力堅持以外，無需做其他的事情。你應當只按照究竟實相來教導他們。你一定要以這樣的方式來教導，使得那些高潔的眾生能夠毫無疑問地如實理解這部法的論述。」
The bodhisattva Maitreya said, “Bhagavān, I will do so.”
菩薩彌勒說道：「薄伽梵，我會如此去做。」
1.15Thereupon Indra and his retinue of gods, Brahmā and his retinue of gods, Prajāpati, and others, realizing that this Dharma discourse was coming to an end, offered heavenly flowers, fragrant smoke, incense, flower garlands, ointments, powders, garments, parasols, banners, and flags to the Bhagavān and the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya.
1.15於是帝釋天及其眷屬諸天、梵天及其眷屬諸天、大梵天王等，察覺到這部法的言論即將結束，遂向薄伽梵和菩薩摩訶薩彌勒獻上天花、香煙、香、花鬘、膏油、香粉、衣服、傘蓋、旗幟和禮幡。
1.16They then exclaimed, “Bhagavān, this Dharma discourse that benefits innumerable beings is indeed a marvelous nectar of speech!” [F.274.b]
1.16他們隨後歡呼說：「薄伽梵，這部利益無量眾生的法教確實是殊勝的言語甘露！」
1.17The Bhagavān now said to Venerable Ānanda, “Ānanda, such a Dharma discourse is rarely heard. Therefore, you must retain this Dharma discourse. You must write it down, hold it, read it aloud, and master it!”
1.17薄伽梵對尊者阿難說：「阿難，這樣的法教確實難得聽聞。因此，你必須保持這部法教。你要把它寫下來，受持它，誦讀它，並精通它！」
1.18“Bhagavān, I will retain this Dharma discourse,” said Ānanda. “Bhagavān, what is the name of this Dharma discourse? How should it be remembered?”
1.18阿難說：「薄伽梵，我將受持此法。薄伽梵，此法名稱為何？我應當如何憶持？」
“Ānanda,” replied the Bhagavān, “you should remember this Dharma discourse as The Nectar of Speech. You should also refer to it as The Question of Maitreya.”
薄伽梵回答說：「阿難，你應當記住這部法教叫做《語甘露》。你也應當稱呼它為《彌勒之問》。」
1.19After the Bhagavān had thus spoken, the entire assembly—Venerable Ānanda, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, the bhikṣus, the bodhisattvas, and also the gods, humans, asuras, and gandharvas—all rejoiced and praised the words of the Bhagavān.
1.19薄伽梵如此開示後，整個法會——尊者阿難、菩薩摩訶薩彌勒、比丘、菩薩，以及諸天、人、阿修羅和乾闥婆——都歡喜踴躍，讚歎薄伽梵的言教。
This concludes the noble Mahāyāna sūtra “The Nectar of Speech.”
（結尾）