Summary
s.1While residing in Nyagrodha Park in Kapilavastu, the Buddha meets an emaciated, long-haired brahmin named Vasiṣṭha. When the Buddha asks Vasiṣṭha why he looks this way, Vasiṣṭha explains that it is because he is observing a month-long fast. The Buddha then asks him if he maintains the eightfold observance of the noble ones, prompting an exchange between the two about what the eightfold observance entails and how much merit is to be gained by maintaining it. After outlining the eightfold observance, the Buddha tells Vasiṣṭha that there is far more merit to be had in maintaining it, even just once, than there is to be gained by making offerings. At the end of the sūtra, Vasiṣṭha takes refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha, and he pledges to maintain the eightfold observance and practice generosity in tandem.
s.1佛陀住在迦毗羅衛的尼拘律園，遇見了一位名叫婆私吒的瘦弱長髮婆羅門。當佛陀問婆私吒為何如此憔悴時，婆私吒解釋說這是因為他在進行為期一個月的禁食。佛陀隨後問他是否守持八關齋戒，促發了兩人之間關於八關齋戒的內容以及守持它能獲得多少功德的討論。在闡述了八關齋戒之後，佛陀告訴婆私吒，即使只守持一次八關齋戒，所獲得的功德也遠遠超過進行布施所能獲得的功德。在這部經的結尾，婆私吒皈依佛陀、法和僧伽，並承諾同時守持八關齋戒和實踐布施。