The Translation
[F.194.a]
1.1Homage to all buddhas and bodhisattvas.
1.1頂禮一切佛陀及菩薩。
Thus did I hear at one time. The Blessed One was staying in Rājagṛha at the Bamboo Grove in the Kalandakanivāpa. One morning, the venerable Ānanda donned his Dharma robe and lower garment, took up his alms bowl, and went into Rājagṛha on his alms round. As he was making his alms round through the city of Rājagṛha, the venerable Ānanda noticed, in a certain direction, a multistoried palace with eighty gateways. It was plastered inside and out; parasols, banners, and pennants were hoisted; and it was adorned with many silken tassels.
我是這樣聽說的。當時，婆世尊住在王舍城竹林迦蘭陀竹園。一個清晨，尊者阿難穿上法衣和下衣，拿起缽，進入王舍城乞食。尊者阿難在王舍城裡乞食時，在某個方向看到一座八十道門的多層宮殿。宮殿內外都粉刷得很光潔，豎立著許多傘蓋、旗幡和幢幡，用許多絲製流蘇裝飾。
1.2Seeing this, the venerable Ānanda thought, “If a faithful son or daughter of good family were to construct such a building and offer it to the saṅgha of monks in the four directions, or if someone were to erect for a thus-gone, worthy, completely perfect buddha a stūpa the size of a gooseberry fruit, provide it with a central pillar the size of a needle and a parasol the size of a jujube leaf, commission a statue the size of a grain of barley, and place in there a relic the size of a mustard seed, which of these two would have the greater merit?” Then it occurred to the venerable Ānanda, “Since the Teacher is here with me, the Well-Gone One is here with me, I should ask the Blessed One to clarify this matter. As the Blessed One explains it, so I will remember it.”
1.2尊貴的阿難想到：「假如一位有信心的善良家族的兒子或女兒建造這樣的建築物，並將其獻給四方僧伽的僧眾，或者如果有人為一位如來、應供、圓滿正覺佛陀建立一座葫蘆籽大小的塔，在其中安置針尖大小的中心柱和棗葉大小的傘蓋，製作一尊大麥粒大小的佛像，並在其中放置芥子籽大小的舍利，這兩種行為中哪一種功德更大呢？」然後尊貴的阿難想到：「因為導師和我在一起，善逝者和我在一起，我應該請佛陀為我說明這個問題。按照佛陀的解釋，我就會記住它。」
1.3Then the venerable Ānanda completed his alms rounds in the city of Rājagṛha and finished his meal. Since he was abstaining from accepting subsequent alms food, he put away his Dharma robe and alms bowl. He then washed his feet and went to see the Blessed One. Once there, he prostrated at the Blessed One’s feet [F.194.b] and sat down to one side.
1.3然後尊者阿難完成了在王舍城的托缽，吃完了飯食。由於他在這之後不再接受供養的飲食，他收好了法衣和缽。他洗了腳，然後去見佛陀。到了那裡，他在佛陀足前頂禮，然後坐在一旁。
1.4Seated to one side, the venerable Ānanda addressed the Blessed One: “Honorable One, earlier this morning, I donned my Dharma robe and lower garment, took up my alms bowl, and went into Rājagṛha on my alms round. As I went from one house to the next collecting alms in the city of Rājagṛha, I saw, in a certain direction, a multistoried palace with eighty gateways. It was plastered inside and out; parasols, banners, and pennants were hoisted; and it was adorned with many silken tassels. Seeing this, I thought to myself, ‘If a faithful son or daughter of good family were to offer such a building to the saṅgha in the four directions, or if someone were to erect for a thus-gone, worthy, completely perfect buddha, who has passed into parinirvāṇa, a stūpa the size of a gooseberry fruit made of clay, provide it with a central pillar the size of a needle and a parasol the size of a jujube leaf, commission a statue the size of a grain of barley, and place in there a relic the size of a mustard seed, which of these two would have the greater merit?’ Then it occurred to me, ‘Since the Teacher is here with me, the Well-Gone One is here with me, I should ask the Blessed One to clarify this matter. As the Blessed One explains it, so I will remember it.’ If I make this request to the Blessed One, may the Blessed One instruct me thoroughly on this matter by virtue of his compassionate mind.”
1.4尊敬的世尊，今日清晨，我披上法衣和下衣，拿起缽，進入王舍城乞食。當我在王舍城逐戶乞食時，我看到某個方向有一座八十個門的多層宮殿。它的內外都抹上了灰泥，上面懸掛著傘蓋、幡和幢，還裝飾著許多絹製的流蘇。看到這一切，我心想：「如果有信心的男居士或女居士願意將這樣的建築奉獻給四方的僧伽，或者如果有人為已般涅槃的如來、值得尊敬、完全圓滿的佛陀建造一座葫蘆子大小的泥土塔，為它加上針尖般大小的中心柱和棗葉般大小的傘蓋，造立大麥粒大小的佛像，並在塔中安放芥子般大小的舍利，這兩種功德中哪一種更大呢？」接著我想到：「既然導師和我在一起，善逝者和我在一起，我應當請世尊為我澄清這個問題。如世尊所說明的，我就這樣記住。」如果我向世尊提出這個請求，願世尊由於慈悲心的驅使，為我詳細開示這個問題。
1.5When this request was thus made, the Blessed One replied to the venerable Ānanda, “Ānanda, you are dedicated to the welfare of many beings. It is for the happiness of many beings, out of compassion for the world, and for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans that you ask the Thus-Gone One about this issue. Excellent! Excellent! Therefore, [F.195.a] Ānanda, listen well and keep this in mind. I will explain.
1.5當阿難提出這個請求時，佛陀回答尊者阿難說：「阿難，你是為了利益眾多眾生而發心的。你為了許多眾生的幸福，出於對世界的慈悲，為了諸天和人類的利益、安樂和福祉而向如來提出這個問題。很好！很好！因此，阿難，你要好好聽著，牢牢記住。我現在為你解釋。」
1.6“Ānanda, the continent of Jambudvīpa is seven thousand leagues in length and width. In the north it is expansive. To the south, it has the shape of an axe. If it were made of the seven precious substances and a faithful son or daughter of good family were to offer it to all stream enterers, once-returners, non-returners, arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and the saṅgha in the four directions, or if someone were to erect for a thus-gone, worthy, completely perfect buddha, who has passed into parinirvāṇa, a stūpa the size of a gooseberry fruit made of clay, provide it with a central pillar the size of a needle and a parasol the size of a jujube leaf, commission a statue the size of a grain of barley, and place in there a relic the size of a mustard seed, I say, Ānanda, the merit of this one would be far greater than the former.
1.6「阿難，閻浮提這個洲大約長寬各七千由旬。北邊寬闊，南邊的形狀像斧頭。如果有善男子或善女人將由七寶組成的這個洲奉獻給所有的須陀洹、斯陀含、阿那含、阿羅漢、辟支佛，以及四方的僧伽，或者有人為了一位已般涅槃的如來、應供、正等正覺者，建造一座葫蘆子大小、由泥土製成的塔，在塔中裝設針尖大小的中心柱，傘蓋有棗核大小，佛像有大麥粒大小，在塔內安置芥子大小的舍利，我說，阿難，後者的福德遠遠超過前者。」
1.7“Ānanda, leave aside the continent of Jambudvīpa. There is, Ānanda, an eastern continent named Pūrvavideha. It is eight thousand leagues in length and width and it is shaped like a crescent. If it were made of the seven precious substances and a faithful son or daughter of good family were to offer it to all stream enterers, once-returners, non-returners, arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and the saṅgha in the four directions, or if someone were to create for a thus-gone, worthy, completely perfect buddha, who has passed into parinirvāṇa, a stūpa the size of a gooseberry fruit made of clay, provide it with a central pillar the size of a needle and a parasol the size of a jujube leaf, commission a statue the size of a grain of barley, and place in there a relic the size of a mustard seed, I say, Ānanda, the merit of this one would be far greater than the former.
1.7「阿難，先不談閻浮提大陸。阿難，有一個東方大陸名叫東勝身洲。它的長寬各有八千由旬，形狀如同新月。如果有信心的善男子或善女人將它用七寶製成，供養給所有的須陀洹、斯陀含、阿那含、阿羅漢、辟支佛以及四方的僧伽，或者有人為已經般涅槃的如來、應供、正等正覺者建造一座葫蘆大小由泥土製成的塔，在塔中放置針尖大小的中心柱，芍藥葉大小的傘蓋，大麥粒大小的佛像，以及芥子大小的舍利，我告訴你，阿難，後者的功德將遠超前者。」
1.8“Ānanda, leave aside the continent of Jambudvīpa [F.195.b] and the eastern continent of Pūrvavideha. There is, Ānanda, a continent named Avaragodānīya. It is nine thousand leagues in length and width and it is shaped like a full moon. If it were made of the seven precious substances and a faithful son or daughter of good family were to offer it to the all stream enterers, once-returners, non-returners, arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and the saṅgha in the four directions, or if someone were to create for a thus-gone, worthy, completely perfect buddha, who has passed into parinirvāṇa, a stūpa the size of a gooseberry fruit made of clay, provide it with a central pillar the size of a needle and a parasol the size of a jujube leaf, commission a statue the size of a grain of barley, and place in there a relic the size of a mustard seed, I say, Ānanda, the merit of this one would be far greater than the former.
1.8「阿難，你擱置閻浮提大陸和東勝身洲吧。阿難，有一個叫西牛貨洲的大陸。它的長寬都是九千由旬，形狀像滿月。如果它由七寶構成，而一位善男子或善女人把它獻給四方所有的須陀洹、斯陀含、阿那含、阿羅漢、辟支佛以及僧伽，或者有人為已經般涅槃的如來、應供、正等覺佛陀建造一個柳子大小的泥塔，配備針尖大小的中心柱和棗葉大小的傘蓋，塑造一個大麥粒大小的佛像，並在裡面放置一粒芥子大小的舍利，阿難，我說這個人的功德遠遠超過前者。」
1.9“Ānanda leave aside the continent of Jambudvīpa, the eastern continent of Pūrvavideha, and the western continent of Avaragodānīya. There is, Ānanda, a continent named Uttarakuru. It is ten thousand leagues in length and width and is entirely square. If it were made of the seven precious substances and a faithful son or daughter of good family were to offer it to all stream enterers, once-returners, non-returners, arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and the saṅgha in the four directions, or if someone were to create for a thus-gone, worthy, completely perfect buddha, who has passed into parinirvāṇa, a stūpa the size of a gooseberry fruit made of clay, provide it with a central pillar the size of a needle and a parasol the size of a jujube leaf, commission a statue the size of a grain of barley, and place in there a relic the size of a mustard seed, I say, Ānanda, the merit of this one would be far greater than the former. [F.196.a]
1.9「阿難，放下閻浮提洲、東勝身洲和西牛貨洲不說。阿難，有一洲名叫北俱盧洲。它的長寬各有一萬由旬，完全是方形的。如果它是由七寶製成，一位善家子或善家女將它供養給四方的所有預流果、一來果、不來果、阿羅漢、辟支佛和僧伽，或者有人為已般涅槃的如來、應供、完全圓滿的佛陀建造一座由泥土製成的塔，其大小如阿摩勒果，裝上大小如針的中心柱和大小如棗葉的傘蓋，塑造一尊大小如大麥粒的佛像，並在其中放置大小如芥子粒的舍利，我告訴你，阿難，後者的功德遠遠大於前者。」
1.10“Ānanda, leave aside the continent of Jambudvīpa, the eastern continent of Pūrvavideha, the western continent of Avaragodānīya, and the northern continent of Uttarakuru. There is, Ānanda, the palace of Śakra, the lord of the gods, named Vaijayanta. If it were made of the seven precious substances and a faithful son or daughter of good family were to offer it to all stream enterers, once-returners, non-returners, arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and the saṅgha in the four directions, or if someone were to create for a thus-gone, worthy, completely perfect buddha, who has passed into parinirvāṇa, a stūpa the size of a gooseberry fruit made from clay, provide it with a central pillar the size of a needle and a parasol the size of a jujube leaf, commission a statue the size of a grain of barley, and place in there a relic the size of a mustard seed, I say, Ānanda, the merit of this one would be far greater than the former.
1.10「阿難，暫且不論閻浮提大陸、東勝身洲、西牛貨洲和北俱盧洲。阿難，有帝釋天主的宮殿，名叫帝釋宮。假如有善男子或善女人將它用七寶製成，供養四方所有的須陀洹、斯陀含、阿那含、阿羅漢、辟支佛和僧伽，或者有人為已經般涅槃的如來、應供、正遍知佛建造一座如榖粒大小的黏土塔，為它安裝一根如針大小的中柱和一把如棗葉大小的傘蓋，塑造一尊如大麥粒大小的佛像，並在其中安放一粒如芥子大小的舍利，我告訴你，阿難，這個人的功德遠遠超過前者。」
1.11“Ānanda, leave aside the continent of Jambudvīpa, the eastern continent of Pūrvavideha, the western continent of Avaragodānīya, the northern continent of Uttarakuru, and the palace of Śakra, the lord of the gods, named Vaijayanta. There is, Ānanda, the three-thousandfold universe. If it were made of the seven precious substances and a faithful son or daughter of good family were to offer it to all the stream enterers, once-returners, non-returners, arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and the saṅgha in the four directions, or if someone were to create for a thus-gone, worthy, completely perfect buddha, who has passed into parinirvāṇa, a stūpa the size of a gooseberry fruit made of clay, provide it with a central pillar the size of a needle and a parasol the size of a jujube leaf, [F.196.b] commission a statue the size of a grain of barley, and place in there a relic the size of a mustard seed, I say, Ānanda, the merit of this one would be far greater than the former.
1.11「阿難，你先不要考慮閻浮提洲、東勝身洲、西牛貨洲、北俱盧洲，以及帝釋天主的帝釋宮。阿難，有三千大千世界。如果它是用七寶製成的，一位善信男子或善信女子將其供養給四方的所有須陀洹、斯陀含、阿那含、阿羅漢、辟支佛和僧伽，或者有人為已經般涅槃的如來、應供、完全圓滿的佛陀造一座用泥土製成、大小如醋栗果的塔，給它安上一根大小如針的中心柱，和一把大小如棗葉的傘蓋，製作一尊大小如大麥粒的佛像，並在其中放置一粒大小如芥子的舍利，我告訴你，阿難，後者的功德遠遠大於前者。」
1.12“Why is this so? Ānanda, it is because a thus-gone one has immeasurable generosity, immeasurable discipline, immeasurable patience, immeasurable effort, immeasurable concentration, immeasurable insight, immeasurable loving-kindness, immeasurable compassion, immeasurable joy, and immeasurable equanimity. Ānanda, possessing the eighteen unique qualities of a buddha, the ten powers of a thus-gone one, and the four types of fearlessness, a thus-gone, worthy, completely perfect buddha is endowed with immeasurable qualities.”
1.12「為什麼呢？阿難，這是因為如來具有無量的布施、無量的持戒、無量的忍辱、無量的精進、無量的禪定、無量的智慧、無量的慈心、無量的悲心、無量的喜心和無量的捨心。阿難，如來具備十八不共法、十力和四無畏，這樣的如來、應供、正等正覺者具足無量的功德。」
1.13When the Blessed One had spoken, the venerable Ānanda said to the Blessed One, “Blessed One, this Dharma discourse is indeed marvelous! O Well-Gone One, it is marvelous! What is the name of this Dharma discourse? How should it be remembered?”
1.13當薄伽梵說完後，尊者阿難對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，這個法確實是妙的！善逝，它是妙的！這個法的名字是什麼？應該如何記住它？」
1.14The Buddha replied, “Ānanda, know this Dharma discourse as The Marvelous Dharma Discourse. Hence, designate this marvelous Dharma discourse as The Marvelous Dharma Discourse.”
1.14佛陀回答說：「阿難，你要知道這個法論述叫做妙法論述。因此，你要把這個妙法論述稱為妙法論述。」
1.15The Blessed One having instructed thus, the monks and the venerable Ānanda rejoiced and thoroughly praised what the Blessed One had said.
1.15世尊如此教導後，眾比丘和尊者阿難都歡喜，對世尊的教導進行了充分的讚歎。
1.16This concludes “The Noble Marvelous Dharma Discourse.”
1.16（結尾）