The Translation
[F.197.a]
1.1Homage to the Omniscient One.
1.1敬禮全知者。
1.2Thus did I hear at one time. The Blessed One was residing in Śrāvastī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park.
1.2如是我聞，一時世尊住舍衛城祇樹給孤獨園。
At that time a large number of monks had gathered in the assembly hall and started the following conversation: “Faithful brahmins or householders who remember what they are taught and have become increasingly learned may ask you how to practice virtue. There may also be some who delight in producing representations of the Thus-Gone One, who will come before us and inquire, ‘Respected ones, may we know how much benefit there is for donors when they produce a representation of the Thus-Gone One?’ How can we then respond to them in accordance with the Dharma when we do not know how much benefit results from producing a representation of the Thus-Gone One? We should ask the blessed, thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha—the omniscient, all-seeing teacher who eliminates all doubts—about this point. Once the Blessed One teaches us, we will comprehend it and can then explain it at length and respond to those faithful brahmins and householders.”
那時，許多比丘聚集在講堂中，開始進行如下的談話：「信心堅固的婆羅門或居士，他們記住所聞之法，學識日益增長，可能會問你們如何修行善行。也有一些人樂於製作如來形像，他們會來到我們面前詢問：『尊敬的諸位，請問施主製作如來形像時，有多少利益呢？』當我們不知道製作如來形像會產生多少利益時，我們怎樣才能按照法來回應他們呢？我們應當向世尊請教這個問題——向那位祝福者、如來、阿羅漢、正等覺者——向那位全知的、洞見一切的、能消除一切疑惑的導師請教。一旦世尊教導我們，我們就會理解，然後就能詳細說明，並回應那些信心堅固的婆羅門和居士。』」
1.3Then that large number of monks went to the place where the Blessed One was staying, prostrated themselves at the Blessed One’s feet, sat to one side, [F.197.b] and asked the Buddha the following: “Respected One, a large number of us monks just had the following conversation when we gathered in the assembly hall: ‘Faithful brahmins or householders who remember what they are taught and have become increasingly learned may ask us how to practice virtue. There may also be some who delight in producing representations of the Thus-Gone One, who will come before us and inquire, “Respected ones, may we know how much benefit there is for donors when they commission a representation of the Thus-Gone One?” How can we then respond to them in accordance with the Dharma when we do not know how much benefit results from producing a representation of the Thus-Gone One? We should ask the blessed, thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha—the omniscient, all-seeing teacher who eliminates all doubts—about this point. Once the Blessed One teaches us, we will comprehend it and can then explain it at length and respond to those faithful brahmins and householders.’ Respected Blessed One, since we have come to you asking about these matters, may we know how much benefit there is for donors when they produce a representation of the Thus-Gone One?”
1.3那時，眾多的比丘來到世尊所住之處，頂禮世尊的雙足，坐在一旁，向佛陀請問道：「世尊，我們眾多的比丘剛才在講堂聚集時進行了以下的談論：『有信心的婆羅門或居士，他們牢記所聽聞的教法，學識日益增長，可能會向我們詢問如何修習善行。也有一些人樂於製造如來形像，他們會來到我們面前詢問：「諸位尊者啊，請問施主製造如來形像能獲得多少利益呢？」當我們不知道製造如來形像能產生多少利益時，我們該如何依照法來回應他們呢？我們應當向世尊、如來、阿羅漢、正等覺者——那位全知、無所不見、能消除一切疑惑的導師——請問此事。一旦世尊為我們開示，我們就能理解，進而可以詳盡地為那些有信心的婆羅門和居士做出解釋和回應。』世尊啊，既然我們已經來到您面前請問這些事宜，請問施主製造如來形像能獲得多少利益呢？」
1.4The Blessed One replied, “Monks, you have asked this to bring benefit to many beings, to bring happiness to many beings and out of compassion for them, and to bring benefit and happiness to gods and humans. You have thought to ask for clarification from the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha. Excellent! Excellent! For that reason, monks, listen to me very carefully, pay attention, [F.198.a] and I will teach you.
1.4世尊回答說：「比丘們，你們提出這個問題是為了利益許多眾生，為了給許多眾生帶來快樂，並出於對他們的慈悲心，為了給天神和人類帶來利益和快樂。你們想要向已成就的、阿羅漢、正等覺佛陀請求開示。很好！很好！因此，比丘們，你們要認真聽我說法，用心思惟，我將為你們開示。
1.5“Monks, a donor who produces a representation of the Thus-Gone One will enjoy the following five benefits:
1.5「比丘們，施主製作如來形像將獲得以下五種利益：
“One will live in a great palace, be regarded as fortunate, be free of poverty, and have great joy, longevity, fame, and happiness. Monks, this is the first benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
「施主將住在大宮殿中，被視為幸福之人，遠離貧窮，具有大樂、長壽、名聲和快樂。比丘們，這是製作如來形像的施主的第一種利益。」
1.6“One will also have riches, abundant wealth, prosperity, property, and many belongings. One will be self-sufficient and have many cherished possessions such as a great number of livestock, grain, jewels, gold, treasuries, and storerooms; many horses, elephants, oxen, sheep, male and female servants, employees, and laborers; and many ministers, friends, relatives, and kin. Monks, this is the second benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
1.6「比丘們，施主製作如來形像還會獲得第二種利益：將擁有豐富的財富、富裕的寶藏、繁榮的產業、眾多的產業和許多珍貴的物品。將自給自足並擁有許多珍愛的財產，如大量的牲畜、五穀、珍寶、黃金、府庫和倉庫；許多馬、象、牛、羊、男性和女性僕人、傭工和勞動者；以及許多大臣、朋友、親戚和眷屬。比丘們，這就是施主製作如來形像所獲得的第二種利益。」
1.7“Monks, one will also have a beautiful body, a pleasant appearance, elegance, a golden complexion, a head that is round like a parasol, long arms, a broad forehead, unbroken eyebrows, a perfect set of limbs and extremities, and be adorned with all sorts of ornaments. Monks, this is the third benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
1.7「諸比丘，施主製作如來形像還會得到以下的利益：將來會擁有妙色身、殊妙容貌、莊嚴、金色膚色、頭圓如傘蓋、長臂、寬額、眉毛連貫、四肢完具、遍身瓔珞莊嚴。諸比丘，這就是施主製作如來形像所得的第三種利益。」
1.8“Monks, one will also become a universal emperor who has a fine retinue, the seven royal treasures, and is surrounded by one thousand sons. All of one’s sons, wives, servants, and caretakers will listen respectfully and follow one’s commands. Monks, this is the fourth benefit for a donor [F.198.b] who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
1.8「比丘們，施主製作如來形像還會成為轉輪王，具備殊妙的眷屬、七寶，並被一千個子息所圍繞。所有的子息、夫人、僕人和侍者都會恭敬聆聽並遵從命令。比丘們，這是製作如來形像的施主第四種利益。」
1.9“Moreover, monks, after passing away, one will take a favorable rebirth among the gods in the heavenly realms. After being born there, one will become an excellent king of the gods who will be venerated by the gods and goddesses. One will enjoy ten states: divine lifespan, divine complexion, divine power, divine happiness, divine lordship, and divine form, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Monks, this is the fifth benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.”
1.9「而且，比丘們，一個施主命終之後，將獲得善趣的轉生，出生在天界的天神當中。在那裡出生以後，將成為一位殊勝的天王，受到天神和天女的尊敬供養。將享受十種狀態：天壽、天色、天力、天樂、天主、天形，以及聲、香、味、觸。比丘們，這是為如來形像做施主的第五種利益。」
1.10When the Blessed One had said this, the monks rejoiced in the Blessed One’s words and praised him.
1.10世尊說完這些話後，比丘們對世尊的言教感到歡喜，並讚歎世尊。
1.11Thus concludes The Noble Dharma Discourse “Teaching the Benefits of Producing Representations of the Thus-Gone One.”
1.11（結尾）