The Translation
[F.66.a]
1.1Homage to the youthful Mañjuśrī!
1.1敬禮青年文殊菩薩！
This sūtra explains that for as long as they live, bodhisattvas, great beings, should not abandon four factors even at the cost of their lives. For what purpose was it undertaken? It was undertaken for the purpose of giving an explanation to those who have embarked upon the Great Vehicle and might be confused regarding how unsurpassable awakening should be attained. It was also undertaken for the purpose of encouraging the heedless to take proper care, motivating those who are thoroughly discouraged, and delighting those who have set out on the Great Vehicle.
本經説明，菩薩、大士應當終身不捨四法，甚至不惜生命。那麼制定此經的目的是什麼呢？是為了給已經踏上大乘道路但對如何獲得無上覺悟感到困惑的人做出解釋。同時也是為了勸勉那些不謹慎的人好好護持心念，激勵那些極度沮喪的人，以及令那些已經踏上大乘道路的人歡喜。
1.2The number four is used so that anyone who is intimidated by vastness will abandon any resistance to listening to the teaching. Using a number also facilitates memorization. Tolerance and gentleness, which appear toward the end, are not counted separately because they both have a single purpose.
1.2使用四個因素這個數字，是為了讓那些被廣大無邊所懼怕的人放棄對聽聞教法的抗拒。使用數字也便於記憶。忍辱和柔和雖然出現在後面，但不單獨計算，因為它們有同一個目的。
1.3There are many ways of referring to those who have set out on the Great Vehicle, but here two names are specified. There are three reasons for this, related to interest, practice, and comprehension. Because of their interest in profound objects of knowledge, they are referred to as bodhisattvas, and because of their interest in great power, they are referred to as great beings. How do these names relate to practice? Such beings strive intensely toward complete, perfect, and unsurpassable awakening for themselves, and they fully protect all sentient beings from suffering. How do these names relate to understanding? Awakening is realized through the two powers. What are these two? They are the power of intelligence and the power of diligence. Awakening cannot be realized where there is a lack of knowledge or through minimal effort.
1.3設出大乘道者有很多種稱呼方式，但在這裡特別指定了兩種名稱。這有三個原因，分別關涉到興趣、實踐和理解。因為他們對於深奧的知識對象具有興趣，所以被稱為菩薩；因為他們對於大力量具有興趣，所以被稱為大士。這些名稱與實踐有什麼關聯呢？這樣的眾生為了自己而熱烈地努力邁向圓滿、完全和無上的覺悟，並且充分保護一切眾生免於痛苦。這些名稱與理解有什麼關聯呢？覺悟通過兩種力量而得以實現。這兩種力量是什麼呢？它們是智慧的力量和精進的力量。在缺乏知識或付出最少努力的地方，覺悟是無法實現的。
1.4The statement that these factors should not be relinquished for as long [F.66.b] as one lives is an indication that they should be continuously present. “Even at the cost of their lives” shows just how highly these factors are to be regarded.
1.4這些因素在人活著的整個期間都不應該放棄的說法，表明了它們應該始終存在。「即使犧牲生命也不應放棄」這句話充分顯示了這些因素應該受到何等重視。
1.5What is the reason that there are said to be four factors? Is this not too few or too many? There are four factors that obstruct the accumulation of the supplies necessary for awakening, and these are four remedies for them. What are these four obstructive factors? They are (1) not seeking the goal, (2) not knowing the methods, (3) a lack of concern for sentient beings, and (4) concern for sense objects. The alternative set of four is (1) not getting started, (2) getting started in the wrong way, (3) quitting what one has started, and (4) becoming distracted after getting started.
1.5為什麼說有四個因素呢？這樣會不會太少或太多了？有四個因素會障礙積集覺悟所需的資糧，而這四個因素就是針對它們的四種對治。什麼是這四個障礙因素呢？它們是：（1）不尋求目標，（2）不知道方法，（3）缺乏對眾生的關懷，以及（4）執著於感官對象。另一組四個因素是：（1）沒有開始，（2）以錯誤的方式開始，（3）放棄已經開始的事項，以及（4）開始後變得心不在焉。
1.6Alternatively, there are four factors conducive to the accumulation of the supplies necessary for awakening, and these four factors constitute their foundation. What are the four factors conducive to the accumulation of the supplies necessary for awakening? They are (1) longing for instructions and guidance, (2) acquiring them, (3) being a worthy recipient of them, and (4) having accomplished them. The alternative set of four is (1) seeking the goal, (2) knowing the methods and then accomplishing them, with subdivision into (3) bringing sentient beings to maturity, and (4) developing the qualities of a buddha.
1.6或者說，有四種因素有利於累積證悟所需的資糧，這四種因素構成了它們的基礎。那麼，有利於累積證悟所需資糧的四種因素是什麼呢？它們是：（1）渴望獲得教誨和指導，（2）獲得教誨和指導，（3）成為接受教誨和指導的合適人選，以及（4）已經實踐了教誨和指導。另一種四因素的說法是：（1）尋求目標，（2）了知方法，然後實踐之，並細分為（3）將眾生引向成熟，以及（4）培養佛陀的功德。
1.7Another set of four is (1) not abandoning saṃsāra, (2) remaining wholly undefiled by it, (3) attracting sentient beings, and (4) becoming purified through diligence.
1.7另一組四法是：（1）不捨棄輪迴，（2）保持完全不被輪迴所染污，（3）吸引眾生，（4）通過精進而得以淨化。
1.8Alternatively, four reasons one would travel a difficult path to traverse are (1) the wish to go, (2) knowledge of the path, (3) setting aside discouragement, and (4) heedfulness. It is through these that the path of samsara is traversed, and the four factors constitute their foundation.
1.8或者說，有四個原因使人願意走難行的路：（1）想要去的願望，（2）對道路的認識，（3）放下沮喪，（4）謹慎小心。正是通過這些，輪迴的道路才得以遍歷，這四個因素構成了它們的基礎。
1.9Why are those who strive for the awakening of the śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas not called bodhisattvas? It is because the name applies only to the preeminent case, just as in the case of “the light-maker.”
1.9為什麼那些為了聲聞和辟支佛的覺悟而努力的人不被稱為菩薩呢？這是因為這個名稱只適用於最卓越的情況，就像「光之製造者」的情況一樣。
1.10Put briefly, in this sūtra the Blessed One explains the actions that are appropriate for those who have embarked upon the Great Vehicle and how these actions will not fail to bear fruit.
1.10簡單地說，在這部經中，世尊解釋了那些已經踏上大乘之路的人應該採取的行動，以及這些行動必然會結出果實。
1.11This concludes “An Explanation of The Noble Sūtra of the Four Factors” by the Master Vasubandhu.
1.11（結尾）