Chapter 12: The Four Mahārājas Protecting the Land
第十二章：四大天王守護國土
12.1Then the Bhagavat praised the Four Mahārājas, saying “excellent, excellent!” on hearing that they would defend and guard those who possessed the sūtra and those who honored and made offerings to the supremely victorious sūtra The Sublime Golden Light.
12.1薄伽梵聽聞四大天王將守護受持經典的人和尊敬供養無上勝利的金光明經的人，於是讚歎四大天王說："善哉！善哉！"
12.2He then said, “You Four Mahārājas have honored, served, made offerings to, venerated, and praised many hundreds of thousands of quintillions of buddhas in the past, and you have generated roots of merit, have truly accomplished the Dharma, and have always taught the Dharma; by guiding the world through the Dharma in this way, you have long had the motivation of great love to constantly benefit beings. Because of the cause and condition of aspiring to bring happiness, you are now enjoying its perfect ripening.
12.2他說道："你們四大王過去曾經恭敬、侍奉、供養、尊崇、讚歎過無數億萬的諸佛，你們已經積累了功德的根基，真正成就了法，並且始終教導法；通過這樣用法引導世間，你們長久以來都懷著大慈心，不斷利益眾生。因為發願帶來快樂的因緣，你們現在享受著它圓滿的成熟結果。"
12.3“If there is a king who honors and makes offerings to the supremely victorious sūtra The Sublime Golden Light, you should make an effort to guard him and cause him to obtain happiness.
12.3「如果有國王恭敬供養最勝的經典金光明經，你們應當努力守護他，使他獲得幸福快樂。
12.4“You Four Mahārājas with your army, attendants, and many hundreds of thousands of yakṣas will guard the way of the Dharma of the buddha bhagavats of the past, future, and present. You will protect it and keep it in your care.
12.4「你們四大天王及其軍隊、侍從和眾多夜叉，將會守護過去、未來和現在諸佛薄伽梵的法道。你們將保護它並將其妥善保管。」
12.5“Therefore, if you Four Mahārājas, and also your followers and the countless, incalculable hundreds of thousands of yakṣas, guard this sūtra, then you will be guarding the true Dharma of the buddhas of the past, future, and present.
12.5「因此，如果你們四大天王，以及你們的眷屬和無數無量的百千夜叉，守護這部經，那麼你們就是在守護過去、未來、現在諸佛的真實法。」
12.6“Therefore, when you Four Mahārājas and also your deva followers and the yakṣas [F.86.a] battle with the asuras, you will always attain the benefits of victory.
12.6「因此，你們四大天王以及你們的天眾眷屬和夜叉，當與阿修羅作戰時，你們將常常獲得勝利的利益。」
12.7“If you guard and possess this sūtra, then through the power of this sūtra many sufferings, attacks from enemies, famine, illness, and disease will all cease and be dispelled. Therefore, if you see the four kinds of followers obtaining this king of sūtras, possessing it, reading it, and reciting it, then with a diligent mind you should guard them, dispel all harm, and bring them happiness.”
12.7「如果你們守護並受持這部經，那麼透過這部經的力量，眾多的苦、敵人的攻擊、飢荒、疾病和病患都將全部消除和驅散。因此，如果你們看到四眾弟子得到這部至勝王經、受持它、誦讀它和背誦它，那麼你們應當以精進的心守護他們，驅散一切傷害，為他們帶來幸福。」
12.8The Four Mahārājas then rose from their seats, and with their upper robes over one shoulder, they knelt on their right knees, and with palms together in homage they said to the Bhagavat, “Venerable Bhagavat, in the future, when this Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light is promulgated and is present in any land, village, town, mountain, forest, or solitary wilderness, and the king of that land listens to it single-mindedly and possesses it, praises it, makes offerings to it, and supplies requisites, making an offering of them, to the four kinds of followers who possess this sūtra, and protects them with a very trusting mind, he will dispel harm and unhappiness. Because of those causes and conditions, we will protect that king and many people and bring them happiness. We will banish misery and suffering far away, increase lifespans, and create a perfection of magnificence.
12.8四大天王從座位上起身，偏袒右肩，右膝著地，合掌向薄伽梵說道：「尊敬的薄伽梵，將來當這部至勝王經，金光明經在任何國土、村莊、城鎮、山嶺、森林或寂靜曠野處流傳開來，存在於世時，若該國王能以專一之心聽聞、受持、稱讚、供養，並為了受持此經的四眾弟子準備所需資具而做出供養，以極其深信的心去保護他們，這樣就能夠消除傷害和痛苦。因為這些因緣和條件，我們將保護那位國王和許多人民，為他們帶來幸福。我們將把苦難和痛苦遠遠驅除，延長他們的壽命，並成就圓滿的尊榮和光輝。」
12.9“Bhagavat, if the king of that land, on seeing the four kinds of followers possessing this sūtra, reverently protects them and offers and provides them with whatever they need as if they were his parents, then we Four Mahārājas will continually protect him, and he will be revered by the entire multitude of beings. [F.86.b]
12.9「薄伽梵，若彼國王見四眾弟子受持此經，恭敬守護，奉施所需如同父母，則我四大天王常當擁護於彼，彼王必得一切眾生之恭敬。」
12.10“Therefore, for that purpose, we, together with an incalculable number of yakṣas and spirits, with our bodies unseen, will secretly be in the places where this king of sūtras is promulgated and is present, and we will defend and protect it so that its promulgation will be free from obstacles.
12.10「因此，為了這個目的，我們與無數的夜叉和鬼神一起，以看不見的身體，秘密地守護在這部至勝王經金光明經傳揚和存在的地方，我們將保護和守衛它，使其傳揚沒有障礙。」
12.11“We will protect and remember the individuals, the kings, and so on, who will listen to this sūtra, so that harm will be dispelled, they will be brought to happiness, and enemies who come from other regions will be repulsed.
12.11「我們將保護並記念那些聽聞這部經的個人、國王等，使他們的傷害消除，被帶入幸福，並使來自其他地區的敵人被驅退。」
12.12“When any human king listens to this sūtra, if a neighboring enemy prepares a fourfold invading army with the thought, ‘I will defeat those lands,’ then, Bhagavat, the power of the blessing of this king of sūtras will cause that neighboring enemy to face another opposing enemy and be defeated.
12.12「當任何人間國王聽聞此經，若鄰近的敵人準備四種軍隊，心想『我將征服那些土地』，那麼薄伽梵啊，此經之王的祝福力量將使得那個鄰近敵人面臨另一個對立的敵人而被擊敗。
12.13“If many bad omens and diseases occur in his land, and at that time a neighboring king, on seeing that, prepares his fourfold army and goes to that land to defeat it, then at that time we, together with an incalculable and endless number of yakṣas and spirits, each one with a body unseen, will give our protection and aid so that the opposing enemy will become naturally subdued and unable to consider even going to that land, let alone engaging in a battle with armies and weapons.”
12.13「若其國中多有惡相災病發生，當於爾時，隣國之王見已，集聚四種軍隊欲往攻伐，我等爾時與無量無邊夜叉、鬼神眾，各各身形隱沒不現，當與護持並及扶助，令彼怨敵自然降伏，不能起心往詣其國，況復興兵動眾交戰者也。」
12.14Then the Bhagavat said to the Four Mahārājas, “It is excellent, excellent that you mahārājas will defend and protect this sūtra.
12.14薄伽梵隨後對四大天王說：「很好，很好，你們大王將會保護和守護這部經。
12.15“Many hundreds of thousands of quintillions of eons ago, I practiced various austerities and attained the highest, most complete enlightenment of buddhahood. Having attained omniscience, I taught this Dharma so that any human king who obtains this sūtra, honors it, and makes offerings to it will have all harms cease and will have perfect happiness. [F.87.a]
12.15「無量百千萬億劫以前，我修行種種苦行，證得無上正等菩提。得遍知已，我宣說此法，使得任何得到此經、恭敬此經、供養此經的人王，將所有傷害都消除，並獲得完美的幸福。
12.16“He will protect the villages, towns, and markets and will repel invading enemies. There will never be any harm, fighting, or dispute for all the kings within Jambudvīpa.
12.16「他將保護村莊、城鎮和市集，並驅除入侵的敵人。對於閻浮提內的所有諸王，永遠不會有任何傷害、戰爭或爭執。
12.17“Four Mahārājas, know that the eighty-four thousand kings of the eighty-four thousand villages, towns, mountains, and markets in this Jambudvīpa will experience the happiness of what is enjoyed in their own domains and will have independence. Because they enjoy increased wealth, jewels, and prosperity, they will not steal from one another but will enjoy the ripened results of their past causes. Therefore, they will not give rise to bad thoughts and desire and seek the lands of others. They will all have few desires and give rise to thoughts of benefiting others. There will be no suffering from fighting, quarreling, bondage, and so on. The people living in those lands will also naturally experience happiness; those above and below will be in harmony like water and milk mixed, so that they will be pleasant and respectful to one another. They will delight in one another and therefore be affectionate, loving, and compassionate and will benefit one another, thus generating roots of merit. Through those causes and conditions, this Jambudvīpa will become happy, with excellent harvests; the population will increase, filling the land; the great earth will become powerful; the temperature will be even; there will be no adverse seasons; the sun, moon, planets, and constellations will not leave their orbits but will be constant; the wind will rise and the rain fall at the appropriate times; there will be freedom from bad omens; wealth and jewels will be obtained and will increase; [F.87.b] the people’s minds will be without miserliness and they will be generous; they will follow the path of the ten good actions; and when people pass away, most will be reborn in the higher realms, so that the population of the paradises will increase.
12.17「四大天王，你們應當知道，這閻浮提中的八萬四千個村莊、城鎮、山岳和市場的八萬四千位國王，都將享受到自己領地內的安樂，並且擁有自主獨立。因為他們享受著增長的財富、珍寶和繁榮，他們之間不會互相盜竊，而是享受過去因緣所成熟的果報。因此，他們不會生起惡念和貪欲，也不會謀奪他人的領地。他們都將少欲知足，生起利益他人的想法。將不會有爭鬥、口角、囚禁等的苦惱。住在那些地方的人民也將自然地享受到幸福；上下和睦如水乳交融，彼此溫和恭敬。他們互相歡悅，因此互相親愛、慈悲，互相幫助，從而生起功德的根本。通過這些因緣，這閻浮提將變得安樂幸福、五穀豐收；人口增加，充滿大地；大地變得富饒；溫度適中；沒有災害季節；日、月、行星和星宿不會偏離軌道而保持恆常；風雨適時吹落；沒有不祥之兆；財富和珍寶得以獲得並增長；人民的心中沒有慳貪，他們會變得慷慨；他們將遵循十善業的道路；當人們去世時，大多數將被重生在更高的境界，使得天界的人口增加。」
12.18“Mahārājas, in the future, when there is a human king who listens to this sūtra, protects it, reverently makes offerings to it, and wishes to venerate and praise the four kinds of followers who possess the sūtra, and moreover wishes to bring benefit and happiness to you and your followers and your entire entourage of countless hundreds of thousands of yakṣas, and for that reason that king constantly listens to this sublime king of sūtras and possesses it, then through the power of hearing this sublime, supreme flavor of the amṛta of the river of the Dharma, the power of your bodies and minds and those of others will increase so that you will have diligence and increased courage, merit, and magnificence.
12.18「大王們，在未來，當有人王聽聞此經、護持此經、恭敬供養此經，並且希望尊敬和讚歎具足此經的四眾弟子，而且更進一步希望為你們及你們的眷屬和無數百千的夜叉的整個隨從帶來利益和快樂，為了這個原因，那位國王經常聽聞此殊勝的經王，並持誦此經，那麼通過聽聞此殊勝、至高的法河甘露味道的力量，你們和他人的身心力量都會增長，使得你們具有精進和增長的勇氣、功德和威光。
12.19“If those human kings listen single-mindedly to this sūtra and possess it, then they will be making vast, immense, extremely rare offerings to me, the perfect buddha, Śākyamuni, and those who make those offerings to me will have made offerings to the many hundreds of thousands of quintillions of past, future, and present buddhas. Those who have made offerings to the buddhas of the three times will attain an immeasurable aggregation of inconceivable merit. Therefore, because of that cause and condition, you and the others will have protected those kings and their queens, attendants, and courts, and you will eliminate harm and misery. If they also establish the deities who guard the palace in the constant enjoyment of happiness, then they will possess inconceivable merit. [F.88.a] The humans who live in those lands will experience a variety of the happinesses of the five sensory pleasures, and all bad things will cease.”
12.19「如果那些人王專心一意地聽聞這部經並受持它，那麼他們就是在對我、圓滿的佛、釋迦牟尼，做出廣大、巨大、極其稀有的供養。對我做供養的人，就是對數百千萬億的過去、未來和現在的諸佛做了供養。對三世諸佛做過供養的人，將獲得不可衡量的不可思議功德的聚集。因此，由於這個因緣，你們和其他人將保護那些人王、他們的皇后、侍從和朝代，你們將消除傷害和痛苦。如果他們也讓守護宮殿的神靈們不斷享受幸福，那麼他們將擁有不可思議的功德。住在那些地方的人類將經歷五種感官快樂的各種幸福，所有不好的事物都將停止。」
12.20Then the Four Mahārājas said to the Bhagavat, “Bhagavat, in the future, a human king who aspires to listen to this Sūtra of the Sublime Golden Light and wishes to protect and defend himself, his queens, his princes, and so on, as far as the palace attendants, and so on, and also the cities, markets, and palaces; and who wishes to attain sublime, supreme, inconceivable happiness and the bliss of solitude; and who wishes to have in that life a noble and high sovereignty, to possess, spread, and constantly increase his power; and if he also wishes to accumulate an endless, immeasurable aggregation of inconceivable merit and wishes for there to be no invading armies, misery, disturbances, demons, or obstacles in his land, then, Bhagavat, that human king should be attentive, undistracted, and reverential and listen sincerely to this sublime, supreme king of sūtras and possess it.
12.20四大天王對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，在未來時，如果有人王希望聆聽這部《金光明經》，並且想要保護和守衛自己、皇后、王子等，直到宮殿侍從等，以及城邑、市集和宮殿；想要獲得殊勝、至上、不可思議的快樂和寂靜的樂受；想要在這一生中擁有高貴而崇高的王權，具足、弘揚並不斷增長自己的力量；並且想要積累無盡、無量、不可思議的功德聚集，希望他的國土中沒有入侵的軍隊、痛苦、擾亂、魔障或障礙，那麼薄伽梵，這樣的人王應當專心致志、不散亂、心懷恭敬，真誠地聆聽這部殊勝、至上的經中之王，並且受持它。」
12.21“When he wishes to listen to this Dharma, he should first adorn a sublime, supreme palace that is dear to the king, sprinkle scented water on a clear area, scatter various sublime, perfect flowers, set up a lion throne as a superior Dharma seat, adorn it with various jewels, and erect parasols, banners, and flags. He should burn priceless incense and have music played. Then, that human king should wash his body clean, anoint his body with perfumed ointments, put on new, clean clothes, adorn himself with strings of jewelry, and sit on a low seat, [F.88.b] without thoughts of superiority, forsaking the demonstration of his power. He should listen to this king of sūtras free of pride and with one-pointed mindfulness.
12.21「當他想要聽聞這部法時，應該先莊嚴一座國王喜愛的殊勝、至高的宮殿，在清淨的地方灑上香水，散灑各種殊勝、完美的花朵，設置獅子座作為殊勝的法座，用各種寶石進行裝飾，豎立傘蓋、旌旗和幡幡。應該燃燒珍貴的香，演奏音樂。之後，那位人間國王應該洗淨身體，用香油塗抹身體，穿上新的、潔淨的衣服，用各種珠寶串進行裝飾，坐在低座上，沒有優越感的念頭，放棄展示他的力量。他應該遠離慢心，以一心的念，聽聞這部經王。」
12.22“He should also perceive the upādhyāya who recites this Dharma to be a great teacher. He should have love for his queens, princes, attendants, and court within the palace, and they should look at one another with great happiness. He should speak to them with gentle words and an air of harmony. His own body and mind should be filled with great happiness, thinking, ‘Today I have attained pure thoughts and this immense, vast, great, superior benefit,’ and he should make offerings to this king of sūtras.
12.22他應當把誦說此法的和尚視為大導師。他應當對宮中的皇后、王子、侍從和眷屬懷有慈心，他們應當彼此以大喜悅相視。他應當用溫和的言語和諧氣氛與他們交談。他自己的身心應當充滿大喜樂，想著「今天我已獲得清淨的思想和這無量、廣大、殊勝的利益」，並且他應當向此經王供養。
12.23“Thinking in that way when he sees the upādhyāya who recites the Dharma coming toward him, he should reverently perceive him as a rarity.”
12.23"這樣想著，當他看到念誦法的和尚向他走來時，他應該恭敬地把他視為難得一遇的人。"
12.24Then the Bhagavat said to the Four Mahārājas, “Mahārājas, in that way, this upādhyāya who recites the Dharma should not be without a welcome. At that time, in that moment, that human king should wear clean, new clothes and adorn himself with various strings of jewels. He should himself hold a white parasol, incense, and flowers, and, assembling his army and having music played extensively, he should come out of the city on foot. In order to gain auspiciousness, with an attitude of reverence he should welcome the upādhyāya who recites the Dharma.
12.24薄伽梵於是對四大天王說："大王們，就這樣，這位傳誦法的和尚不應該得不到歡迎。在那個時候，在那一刻，那位人王應該穿著乾淨、嶄新的衣服，用各種珠寶串飾自己。他應該自己手持白色的傘蓋、香和花，集合他的軍隊，廣泛奏樂，他應該步行離開城市。為了獲得吉祥，以恭敬的態度他應該歡迎傳誦法的和尚。"
12.25“Four Mahārājas, for what cause and condition should the human king himself honor and make offerings in that way? It is because with each step in which the human king lifts and sets down his foot, he is honoring, making offerings to, serving, and showing reverence to a hundred thousand quintillion bhagavats. Moreover, for that number of eons he will truly transcend the suffering of saṃsāra. [F.89.a] Moreover, he will enjoy the superior, supreme enjoyments of a cakravartin king for that number of eons. Through the power of each step, his merit in that life will increase so that he will have independent sovereignty and an inconceivable ripening of results, will be venerated by entire multitudes, and for countless hundreds of thousands of eons will enjoy a divine palace made of the seven precious materials that is delighted in by devas and humans. In all his lifetimes, he will be a king with a long life and eloquent words and will be trusted by devas and humans. He will have no fears or terrors. He will have great fame and be looked up to by entire multitudes. He will enjoy the highest bliss among devas and humans. He will attain great strength. He will have the qualities of great magnificence. The features of his body will be excellent and beautiful beyond equal or analogy. He will see the teacher of devas and humans. He will meet kalyāṇamitras. He will accomplish an immeasurable accumulation of merit and have perfect good fortune.
12.25「四大天王，人王應當為什麼因緣而這樣尊敬供養呢？因為人王每邁一步，抬起腳又放下腳的時候，就是在尊敬、供養、侍奉、恭敬一百千億那由他薄伽梵。而且，在那樣多的劫中，他將真正超越輪迴的苦難。而且，他將在那樣多的劫中享受轉輪王最殊勝、最無上的快樂。藉著每一步的力量，他今生的功德將增長，使得他具有獨立的主權和無法想像的業報成熟，受到無量眾人的尊敬，在無數百千萬劫中享受由七寶所成、為諸天和人們所喜悅的天宮。他的所有生世中，都將是長壽和言辭聰慧的轉輪王，受到諸天和人們的信任。他將沒有恐懼和驚怖。他將擁有廣大的名聲，受到無量眾人的崇敬。他將在諸天和人中享受最高的喜樂。他將獲得廣大的力量。他將具有偉大的尊貴品質。他的身體相貌將超越一切、無法相比和類比的優美。他將看見諸天和人的導師。他將遇見善知識。他將成就無量功德的積聚，並具足圓滿的福德。
12.26“Mahārājas, know this: those human kings, in order to see measureless, various beneficial qualities, will themselves go from one yojana up to a hundred thousand yojanas in order to greet the dharmabhāṇaka upādhyāyas, and they will perceive those dharmabhāṇaka upādhyāyas to be the Teacher.
12.26「大王們，要知道，那些人間的國王們，為了親見無量、各種殊勝的功德，會親自從一由旬走到十萬由旬去迎接誦法的和尚們，他們會把那些誦法的和尚們視為教主。
12.27“Then, when he goes to the town or city, he should think, ‘Today the tathāgata arhat samyaksaṃbuddha Śākyamuni is coming to my palace and will receive my offerings, and he will teach me the Dharma. Through the power of my hearing the Dharma, I will become irreversible in my progress toward the highest, most complete enlightenment, [F.89.b] so that this is the same as meeting many hundreds of thousands of quintillions of buddha bhagavats. Today I have made very immense, vast, supreme, superior offerings of pleasant requisites of various kinds to the buddhas of the past, the future, and the present and honored them. Today I have uprooted all the suffering in the world of Yama, the hells, the pretas, and the animal rebirths. Today I have planted the roots of merit for attaining countless hundreds of thousands of quintillions of rebirths as cakravartins, Śakras, and Brahmās. Today I have saved countless hundreds of thousands of quintillions of beings from the suffering of saṃsāra and placed them in the bliss of nirvāṇa. Today I have accumulated an endless, incalculable aggregation of inconceivable merit. I have established in happiness the many attendants and people in the palace and brought peace to the land, so that there are no harms, pernicious poisons, or malevolent humans. Enemies from elsewhere will not come and cause harm and there will be no misery or illness.’
12.27「那時，他前往城鎮時，應當這樣思惟：『今天如來阿羅漢正等覺者釋迦牟尼佛將要來到我的宮殿，接受我的供養，為我宣說法。藉著我聽聞法的力量，我將在無上正等菩提的道路上不退轉，[F.89.b]這等同於親近了許多百千億那由他的佛薄伽梵。今天我向過去、未來、現在的諸佛做了無比廣大、至高無上的種種美好供養，並向他們致敬。今天我已拔除了閻魔界、地獄、餓鬼和畜生界中的一切苦難。今天我已為獲得無數百千億那由他次轉輪王、帝釋天和梵天的轉生而種下功德之根。今天我已拯救了無數百千億那由他的眾生脫離輪迴的苦難，將他們安置在涅槃的安樂中。今天我已累積了無盡、不可計量、不可思議的功德聚集。我已使宮殿中的許多侍者和人民幸福安樂，為這片土地帶來了和平，使其沒有傷害、有毒物質或惡意的人。來自他處的敵人將不會前來造成傷害，也不會有痛苦或疾病。』」
12.28“Mahārājas, know this: When at that time those kings in that way revere and venerate the true Dharma and make offerings to, honor, venerate, and praise the bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās who possess this sublime sūtra, if they first dedicate the roots of merit and supreme merit that come from that solely to you and your followers, then those human kings will possess the great merit of good karma as a cause and condition, and in that life they will attain great power and their magnificence will increase. They will be adorned by splendor and supreme features, and all their adversaries will be eliminated by the true Dharma.” [F.90.a]
12.28「大王們，你們應該知道：當那些國王以那樣的方式恭敬尊重正法，並對擁有這部殊勝經典的比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞和優婆夷進行供養、尊敬、恭敬和讚歎，如果他們首先把由此而生的功德根和殊勝功德全部迴向給你們和你們的眷屬，那麼這些人王就會因為善業作為因緣而具足大功德，在這一生中他們就能獲得大力量，他們的威勢會增長。他們會被光輝和殊勝的容貌所莊嚴，所有他們的敵對者都會被正法所消滅。」
12.29The Four Mahārājas then said to the Bhagavat, “Bhagavat, when any human king in that way honors the true Dharma with reverence and listens to this sūtra, and honors, makes offerings to, venerates, and praises the four kinds of followers who possess this sūtra, then at that time, that king, in order to please us, should sprinkle scented water and scatter many sublime, perfect flowers upon the place where the Dharma seat is situated, and place and arrange seats for the Four Mahārājas. Then we will listen to the Dharma together with that king.
12.29四大天王則對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，當任何人王以此方式恭敬尊重正法，聆聽此經，並對具足此經的四種弟子進行恭敬、供養、尊崇和讚歎時，那位人王為了取悅我們，應當在法座所在之處灑灑香水，散灑許多殊勝、圓滿的花朵，並為四大天王放置和安排座位。那時我們將與此人王一起聆聽正法。」
12.30“That king should then dedicate to us whatever share of the merit of good roots will be beneficial for us.
12.30「那位國王應當將善根功德的份額中對我們有益的部分迴向給我們。」
12.31“Bhagavat, at that time, that human king should supplicate the dharmabhāṇaka to teach the Dharma, and when the dharmabhāṇaka is on their seat, the king should burn various sublime, supreme incenses for us and then make an offering to this sūtra.
12.31「薄伽梵，那個時候，那位人間國王應當祈請法師為我們宣說佛法，當法師坐在法座上時，國王應當為我們燃燒各種殊勝、最上的香，然後向這部經作供養。」
12.32“Bhagavat, at that time, the aroma of that incense will in a single instant rise into the sky and pervade our aerial palaces. It will transform into a parasol of incense, and our divine entourages will smell the supreme aroma of the incense. The smoke of the incense will have a golden light that will illuminate our palaces and the residence of Brahmā, and all the residences of Śakra, lord of devas; of the goddess Sarasvatī; of the great goddess Śrī; of Sthāvarā, goddess of the earth; of the great general Saṃjñeya; of the twenty-eight great yakṣa generals; of Maheśvara, the king of devas; of Vajrapāṇi, the lord of secrets; of the great general Māṇibhadra; of Hārītī with her entourage of five hundred children; of the nāga king Anavatapta; and of the nāga king Sāgara. [F.90.b]
12.32「薄伽梵，那個時候，那香的香氣將在瞬間升向虛空，遍滿我們的天宮。它會變化成香的傘蓋，我們的諸天眷屬將聞到香的最上妙香。香的煙霧將發出金色的光明，照亮我們的宮殿和梵天的住處，以及帝釋天這位諸天之主的所有住處；辯才天女的住處；大吉祥天女的住處；堅牢地神女的住處；大將軍識相的住處；二十八位大夜叉將軍的住處；大自在天這位諸天之王的住處；金剛手菩薩這位秘密之主的住處；大將軍摩尼跋陀羅的住處；鬼子母神及其五百個子女眷屬的住處；龍王阿那婆達多的住處；以及龍王娑伽羅的住處。」
12.33“Bhagavat, in that way, the aroma of the incense in the aerial palaces of each of those and their entourages, and of others, will instantly transform into parasols of incense that are seen and their aroma experienced. Their colored light rays will also be seen to illuminate all the divine aerial palaces.”
12.33「薄伽梵，如此這般，那些和他們眷屬，以及其他者的天宮中的香氣，會在瞬間轉變成可以看到的香傘，並且香氣被體驗到。他們五彩繽紛的光線也會被看到照亮所有的天宮。」
12.34The Bhagavat said to the Four Mahārājas, “Mahārājas, the light rays of the incense will not illuminate, transform into parasols of incense, and radiate great light rays solely at those aerial palaces. When the human king holds the censer in his hands, burns the sublime, supreme incense, and makes an offering to this sūtra, the smoke of that incense will in an instant, in a moment, fill up the billion suns and moons, the billion Sumerus, kings of mountains, the billion four-continent worlds that are in the trichiliocosm world realm, and all the palaces of the devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, and mahoragas that there are in the trichiliocosm world realm—it will spread and fill all of space. The various kinds of incense aromas will transform into parasols of incense, and those parasols will be golden in color and will illuminate all divine palaces.
12.34薄伽梵對四大天王說：「大王，香的光芒不僅會照亮、變成香蓋，並放射出大光芒，只在那些天宮。當人間國王手持香爐，燃燒殊妙至高的香，並向此經做供養時，那香的煙在瞬間、在一剎那，會充滿十億個日月、十億個須彌山王、十億個四洲世界（這些都在三千大千世界中），以及三千大千世界中所有諸天、龍王、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽的宮殿——它會遍滿一切虛空。各種香氣會變成香蓋，那些香蓋將呈金黃色，並照亮所有的天宮。」
12.35“In that way, all the clouds of incense and parasols of incense of various kinds there will be in the trichiliocosm world realm are the result of the power of the magnificence of The Sublime Golden Light, the Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras.
12.35「就像這樣，三千大千世界中所有各種香雲和香傘，都是《金光明經》——至勝王經的威光和殊勝力量所產生的結果。
12.36“And when the human king holds the censer in his hands and makes an offering to this sūtra, it is not only this trichiliocosm world realm that is pervaded by all the various aromas of that incense. In an instant, in a moment, they pervade countless, endless hundreds of thousands of quintillions of buddha realms in the ten directions that are as numerous as the grains of sand in the Ganges River. [F.91.a] They become parasols of incense in the skies above all the buddha realms and completely illuminate them in a similar fashion.
12.36當人王手持香爐，向此經作供養時，並不只有三千大千世界被那香的各種香氣所遍滿。在瞬間、剎那間，它們便遍滿十方無數無盡百千萬億那由他佛土，其數量如恆河沙粒一樣眾多。它們在所有佛土上空變成香蓋，並以相同的方式完全照亮它們。
12.37“At that time, those many buddhas will be aware of and know those excellent aromas of the incense, and they will see the canopies of incense and their golden color. The buddha bhagavats of the ten directions, who are as numerous as the sand grains in the Ganges River, will manifest miracles, and those many buddha bhagavats, seeing and discriminating in the same way, will praise the dharmabhāṇaka, speaking to him in unison: ‘It is excellent, excellent that you, great being, have widely, greatly promulgated this wonderful, extremely profound sūtra and have perfected an incalculable, endless, and inconceivable accumulation of merit.’
12.37「此時，那許多佛將覺知並了解那些香的殊妙氣味，他們將看見香的華蓋及其金色光輝。十方的如恆河沙粒數量那麼多的佛薄伽梵，將展現神變，那許多佛薄伽梵，以同樣的方式見到與分別，將讚歎那位法師，一起對他說：『極善，極善啊！大士啊，你廣大地、宏大地宣揚了這個奇妙的、極其甚深的經，並圓滿成就了不可計算的、無盡的、不可思議的功德積累。』」
12.38“The merit of someone who listens to this sūtra is vast in extent, let alone that of someone who writes it out, obtains it, possesses it, reads it, teaches it to others, and practices it in accordance with its teaching. Why is that? Noble ones, it is because those who hear The Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light become irreversible in their progress to the highest, most complete enlightenment.
12.38「聽聞這部經的人所獲得的功德廣大無邊，更何況書寫它、獲得它、受持它、閱讀它、為他人講解它，以及按照其教導去實踐它的人呢。為什麼是這樣呢？聖者們，那是因為聽聞《最勝王經·金光明經》的人，在趣向無上正等菩提的道路上已經達到了不退轉的境地。
12.39“At that time, the tathāgatas in countless, innumerable hundreds of thousands of quintillions of buddha realms, as numerous as the sand grains in the Ganges River, will speak in unison to the dharmabhāṇaka bhikṣu who is seated on the Dharma throne, praising him with the words, ‘Well done! Well done! Noble one, in a future time, through the power of your diligence, you will accomplish countless hundreds of thousands of ascetic practices. When you have completed the accumulations, you will transcend many āryas, [F.91.b] you will emerge from the three realms and become a supreme leader, and you will sit at the foot of a Bodhi tree, will be adorned by that which is superior, and will be a refuge for the beings who have the necessary factors in the trichiliocosm world realm. You will eliminate the terrifying armies of Māra and will realize the extremely profound, highest, most complete enlightenment.
12.39那時，恆河沙數的無數百千億兆佛土中的如來，將統一向坐在法座上的法師比丘說話，用以下的話讚歎他：「善哉！善哉！聖者，在未來的時間裡，通過你精進的力量，你將完成無數百千億兆的修行苦行。當你圓滿了積累之後，你將超越許多聖者，從三界中出現，成為至高的領導者，你將坐在菩提樹下，被最殊勝的東西所莊嚴，並將成為三千大千世界中具備必要條件的眾生的皈依。你將消滅魔的可怕軍隊，並將證悟極其深遠的無上正等菩提。
12.40“ ‘Noble one, having sat upon the vajra seat, you will turn the Dharma wheel that is praised by the buddhas and is unsurpassable, very profound, and has twelve wonderful aspects. You will beat the supreme, great drum of the highest Dharma. You will blow the extremely wonderful conch of the highest Dharma. You will raise the superior banner of the highest Dharma. You will light the extremely bright lamp of the highest Dharma. You will send down the rain of the unsurpassable amṛta of the Dharma. You will cut through the measureless bondage of the enemies, the kleśas. You will make countless, endless hundreds of thousands of quintillions of beings transcend the ocean of great terrors. You will free them from the endless births and deaths of saṃsāra. You will meet countless hundreds of thousands of quintillions of buddhas.’ ”
12.40「聖者，當你坐於金剛座上，你將轉動諸佛所讚歎、無可比擬、極為深奧、具有十二種殊勝特質的法輪。你將擊響無上大法的至高大鼓。你將吹奏無上大法的極為殊妙的螺號。你將豎立無上大法的殊勝旗幟。你將點燃無上大法的極為光明的燈火。你將降下無上正法甘露的雨露。你將斷除難以計量的敵怨──煩惱的束縛。你將使無數無盡的百千萬億眾生超越巨大恐怖的大海。你將解救他們脫離無盡的輪迴生死。你將遇見無數百千萬億的諸佛。」
12.41Then the Four Mahārājas said to the Bhagavat, “Bhagavat, the complete practice of The Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light has such countless benefits in the future and the present. Therefore, when for that reason the human kings who have listened to this extremely wonderful sūtra will have developed good roots from all the countless hundreds of thousands of quintillions of buddhas, we will guard those kings and think of them. [F.92.a]
12.41四大天王對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，完整地修行最勝金光明經具有如此無數的未來和現在的利益。因此，當那些聽聞這部極其殊勝經典的人類國王因此而從無數百千萬億諸佛那裡培養了善根時，我們將守護這些國王並時時惦念他們。」
12.42“Moreover, in order that this measureless benefit can be seen, in each of the aerial palaces belonging to us, the Four Mahārājas, and also our entourages, along with countless hundreds of millions of yakṣas, parasols of clouds of the aromas of incense and various kinds of miraculous manifestations will be seen.
12.42「而且，為了讓這無量的利益能夠顯現，在我們四大天王各自的天宮中，以及我們的眷屬之處，還有無數百萬夜叉的地方，人們將看到香氣芬芳的雲傘和各種奇妙的神變顯現。」
12.43“At that time, we will make our bodies invisible, and in order to listen to the Dharma, we will go to the perfectly cleaned and beautifully adorned palace of such a king. In the same way, Brahmā, Śakra, the great goddess Sarasvatī, the great goddess Śrī, Sthāvarā, who is the goddess of the earth, the great general Saṃjñeya, the twenty-eight great yakṣa generals, the deity Maheśvara, Vajrapāṇi, who is the lord of secrets, the great general Māṇibhadra, Hārītī with her entourage of five hundred children, the nāga king Anavatapta, the nāga king Sāgara, and the entourages of countless hundreds of thousands of quintillions of devas, yakṣas, and so on, in order to listen to the Dharma, each with their body invisible, will come to the place where the Dharma is to be taught, which is the human king’s palace in which a superior Dharma seat has been beautifully arranged.
12.43「到那時，我們會隱沒我們的身體，為了聽聞佛法，會前往這樣一位大王經過完全淨化和精心莊嚴的宮殿。同樣地，梵天、帝釋天、偉大的辯才天女、偉大的吉祥天女、作為大地女神的堅牢地神、偉大的將軍識相、二十八位偉大的夜叉將軍、大自在天、身為秘密主的金剛手菩薩、偉大的將軍摩尼跋陀羅、鬼子母神及其五百個孩子的眷屬、龍王阿那婆達多、龍王娑伽羅，以及無數百千兆位諸天、夜叉等的眷屬，為了聽聞佛法，各自隱沒其身體，都會前往該人類國王的宮殿，那裡已經精心擺設了一個殊勝的法座，這就是講授佛法的地方。」
12.44“Bhagavat, we, the Four Mahārājas, and also our entourages and the yakṣas, single-mindedly, together with that human king, will become kalyāṇamitras and great patrons of the unsurpassable Dharma, and through that cause we will be satisfied by the taste of its amṛta. For that reason, we will guard that king, completely dispel harm, and cause him to attain happiness. We will cause all bad actions and bad omens to cease in his palace, cities, towns, and land.” [F.92.b]
12.44「薄伽梵，我們四大天王以及我們的眷屬和夜叉，一心一意地與那位人間國王一起，將成為無上法的善知識和大護持者，並透過這個因緣，我們將得到其甘露的滋味而感到滿足。為此，我們將保護那位國王，完全驅除傷害，使他獲得幸福。我們將使他的宮殿、城市、城鎮和國土中的一切惡業和不祥之兆消除。」
12.45Then the Four Mahārājas simultaneously placed the palms of their hands together and said to the Bhagavat, “Bhagavat, if there is a human king in whose land this sūtra is present but who does not promulgate it, rejects it in his mind, has no aspiration to listen to it, does not make offerings to it, does not venerate it, does not praise it, and who on seeing the four kinds of followers who possess the sūtra does not venerate them, make offerings to them, or serve them, then we, the Four Mahārājas, our followers, and countless devas will not hear this extremely profound and wonderful Dharma. The flavor of its amṛta will be abandoned, the continuity of the true Dharma will be destroyed, there will be no magnificence and power, the lower existences will increase, devas and humans will diminish, and beings will drown in the river of saṃsāra and will go astray from the route to nirvāṇa, so that, Bhagavat, we, the Four Mahārājas, our followers, the yakṣas, and so on, on seeing this will abandon that land and will have no intention to defend it and protect it. It will not be we alone who abandon that king, for the countless devas of great virtue who protect that land will also forsake that land. Because they forsake it, various kinds of calamities will occur in that land, and the kingdom will be destroyed. The entire population will be without virtuous motivation and will bind each other, slay each other, abuse each other, quarrel with each other, slander each other, deceive each other, and punish the innocent. Because of having such states of mind there will be illness and disease, [F.93.a] a comet will appear repeatedly, two suns will appear simultaneously, there will be continuous comets, there will be the inauspicious omens of gray rainbows, shooting stars will fall, the earth will shake, sounds will come from wells, untimely severe rain will fall and winds will blow, there will always be the calamity of famine, grain will not ripen, the people of the land will experience calamities of suffering from the violence of invading enemies, and there will be unhappiness and no joy throughout the land.
12.45四大天王於是一起合掌，向薄伽梵說道：「薄伽梵，如果有人王的國土中雖然有此經，但他不弘揚此經，心中排斥它，沒有聽聞它的願望，不對它作供養，不恭敬它，不稱讚它，看到擁有此經的四眾弟子也不恭敬他們、不供養他們、不侍奉他們，那麼我們四大天王、我們的眷屬，以及無數的諸天就不會聽到這極其深奧美妙的法。它的甘露滋味將被拋棄，真正的法的延續將被摧毀，將沒有威力和力量，下三道眾生將增加，諸天和人類將減少，眾生將溺於輪迴之河而遠離涅槃之道。因此，薄伽梵，我們四大天王、我們的眷屬、夜叉等，看到這種情況就會放棄那個國土，沒有心思去保衛和保護它。放棄那個國王的不只是我們，那些保護那個國土具有大功德的無數諸天也會拋棄那個國土。因為他們拋棄了它，那個國土就會出現各種各樣的災難，王國將被摧毀。所有人民都將失去善心，互相束縛、互相殺害、互相辱罵、互相爭吵、互相毀謗、互相欺騙，並懲罰無辜者。由於存在這樣的心念，將會有疾病和瘟疫，彗星將反覆出現，兩個太陽同時出現，將會持續有彗星，會出現灰色彩虹的不祥預兆，流星將墜落，大地將震動，井水將發出聲音，不應時的暴雨將連續降落，狂風將吹襲，總是會有饑荒的災難，穀物將不成熟，國土人民將經歷敵軍入侵暴力造成的苦難災難，整個國土將沒有快樂和喜樂。」
12.46“Bhagavat, if we, the Four Mahārājas, the countless thousands of devas, and the deities of great virtue who previously protected the land abandon it, then at that time there will arise countless hundreds of thousands of such evil omens.
12.46「薄伽梵，若我四大天王及無數千位諸天與具大威德之諸天神棄捨彼地，於是時則會生起無數百千種如此之惡兆。」
12.47“Bhagavat, if any human king wishes to protect his land so that it will constantly enjoy happiness, wishes to bring many beings to happiness, wishes to eliminate his adversaries, wishes for his own kingdom to always increase and spread, and wishes for the true teachings to remain in the world so that harmful suffering, bad actions, and evil qualities will cease, then, Bhagavat, the ruler of those lands should listen to and obtain this sublime king of sūtras, and he should honor, serve, and make offerings to those who read, recite, acquire, and possess this sūtra.
12.47「薄伽梵，如果有人王想要保護他的國土，使其常常享受安樂，想要令許多眾生得到安樂，想要消除他的敵對者，想要他自己的國家常常增長擴展，想要真正的教法留存於世間，使有害的苦難、壞的行為和邪惡的品質都停止，那麼，薄伽梵，那些土地的統治者應當聽聞並獲得這部殊勝的經王，他應當尊敬、侍奉和供養那些讀誦、受持、獲得和持有這部經的人。」
12.48“Also, through the power of the blessing of the good roots of listening to the Dharma, we, the Four Mahārājas and our entourage of countless deities, will taste the flavor of the unsurpassable amṛta of the Dharma, [F.93.b] which will be a benefit for us and our followers, and the other devas will also obtain a perfect benefit. Why is that? Because a human king has listened single-mindedly to this sūtra and obtained it.
12.48「而且，由於聽聞佛法的善根力量的加持，我們四大天王和無數的隨從天神，將會品嚐到無上的佛法甘露的滋味，這對我們和我們的隨從有利益，其他天神們也將會得到圓滿的利益。這是為什麼呢？因為一位人間的國王曾經一心聽聞了這部經典並獲得了它。
12.49“Bhagavat, Mahābrahmā has constantly taught worldly and nonworldly instructions to beings. Śakra, the lord of the devas, has also taught various kinds of instructions, and the ṛṣis who possess the five higher cognitions have taught many instructions. But, Bhagavat, although there are these countless hundreds of thousands of quintillions of instructions by Brahmā, Śakra, and the ṛṣis endowed with the five higher cognitions, nevertheless, The Sūtra of the Sublime Golden Light, which the Buddha Bhagavat taught for devas and humans with a motivation of love, compassion, and kindness, is a hundred thousand quintillion times superior to those former instructions. They cannot even serve as an analogy for it. Why is that? Because through its power all the kings in Jambudvīpa will guide the world through the true Dharma and bring happiness to beings. We and our followers will give our protection so that there will be no calamity of suffering—moreover, there will be no calamity of invasion; bad, unvirtuous actions will all be cast far away; all demons and hinderers in the land will be dispelled; and through the guidance of this true Dharma there will be no conflict.
12.49「薄伽梵，大梵天王常常對眾生開示世間和出世間的教法。帝釋天（諸天之主）也開示過各種教法，具有五種神通的仙人們也開示過許多教法。但是，薄伽梵，儘管梵天、帝釋天和具有五種神通的仙人們有無數百千億兆種教法，然而，您這位佛薄伽梵以慈心、慈悲和善心的動機為諸天和人類所開示的《金光明經》，其殊勝程度比那些先前的教法超越百千億兆倍。這些教法甚至連作為比喻都不足夠。為什麼呢？因為通過它的力量，閻浮提中的所有君王都能用真實的法來引導世間，為眾生帶來幸福。我們和我們的眷屬將給予保護，使得不會有痛苦的災難——更進一步，不會有入侵的災難；一切不善、不德的行為都將被遠遠驅除；土地上的所有魔障和阻礙都將被消滅；通過這真實法的引導，將不會有任何衝突。」
12.50“For this purpose, the human kings will light the lamp of Dharma in their own lands, bringing infinite illumination, and will benefit the hosts of devas and their entourages.
12.50「為了這個目的，人間的國王將在自己的領地裡點燃法的燈火，帶來無限的光明，並利益諸天和它們的眷屬。」
12.51“Bhagavat, we Four Mahārājas [F.94.a] and our innumerable following of devas and yakṣas, the devas in Jambudvīpa, and all pretas, through the power of these causes and conditions, will taste the flavor of the unsurpassable amṛta of the Dharma and will possess magnificence and power. There will be the perfect radiance of light, all beings will become happy, and moreover they will in the future enjoy extreme happiness constantly for countless, inconceivable hundreds of thousands of quintillions of eons. Also, this will please countless buddhas, and they will develop good roots and attain the highest, most complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. All such incalculable, endless benefit transcends that from the retinue of greatly compassionate Brahmā, is greater than that from greatly wise Śakra, and is superior to that from the ṛṣis with the five higher cognitions who have accomplished various ascetic practices. Therefore, it is a hundred thousand quintillion times greater than them.
12.51「薄伽梵，我們四大天王以及我們無量數的天和夜叉隨從、閻浮提的諸天和所有餓鬼，藉由這些因緣的力量，將品嚐到法的無上甘露的味道，並將具足威光和力量。將有完美的光明照耀，所有眾生都將獲得快樂，而且他們將來還會在無數、不可思議的百千萬劫中不斷享受極大的幸福。同樣地，這也將使無量諸佛歡喜，他們將培植善根並證得圓滿佛果的無上正等菩提。這樣不可計數、無盡的利益超越了大慈悲梵天的眷屬所得的利益，大於具大智慧的帝釋天所得的利益，勝過已經完成各種苦行的五神通仙人所得的利益。因此，它比他們偉大百千萬倍。」
12.52“The indescribable Tathāgata Arhat Samyaksaṃbuddha has taught for the sake of beings the wonderful, valid teaching of this kind of sūtra, and from its clear comprehension the rulers of the lands in Jambudvīpa and the many communities of humans in the world will protect the Dharma rites and the land, and humans will be guided and inspired.
12.52「那位不可思議的如來阿羅漢正等覺者為了利益眾生，宣說了這樣殊勝、真實的經法。通過對這部經的清楚理解，閻浮提各地的統治者和世間眾多的人類社群將會護持法的儀軌和他們的土地，人類也將被引導和鼓舞。」
12.53“All these benefits of the merit for everyone attaining happiness through the power of the blessing of this king of sūtras comes from the vast promulgation of this sūtra because of the power of the love and compassion of the great teacher Śākyamuni.
12.53「所有這些功德利益，使一切眾生因為這部經之王的加持力而獲得快樂，都來自於這部經廣泛傳播，以及偉大導師釋迦牟尼慈悲心的力量所致。」
12.54“Therefore, Bhagavat, in order to have such causes and conditions, human kings should obtain this sublime sūtra, [F.94.b] make offerings to it, honor it, revere it, and praise it. Why is that? This sūtra is called the supreme king of sūtras because it benefits all due to its inconceivable and supreme qualities.”
12.54「因此，薄伽梵，為了具足這樣的因緣，人間的國王應當獲得這部殊勝的經，對它供養、尊敬、恭敬和讚歎。為什麼呢？這部經被稱為經中之王，因為它具有不可思議和殊勝的功德，能夠利益一切眾生。」
12.55The Bhagavat then said to the Four Mahārājas, “If you, the Four Mahārājas, with your followers and the countless hundreds of thousands of quintillions of deva followers, see a human king single-mindedly listening to this sūtra, making offerings to it, honoring it, revering it, and praising it, you should guard him and dispel harm. That will then cause you to experience perfect bliss. If the four kinds of followers are widely promulgating this king of sūtras, then as that is truly the vast activity of a buddha among devas and humans, it will benefit countless beings. You should constantly guard and defend such individuals. Ensure that there will be no other factors that will bring harm to those four kinds of followers, and that their bodies and minds will be in solitude and happiness so that this king of sūtras will spread and bring a continuous benefit to beings throughout the future.”
12.55薄伽梵對四大天王說：「你們四大天王和你們的眷屬，以及無數百千萬億那由他的諸天眷屬，如果見到某個人王一心聽受這部經，對它做供養、尊敬、恭敬和讚歎，你們應當保護他，驅除傷害。這樣就會使你們體驗到圓滿的安樂。如果四眾弟子廣泛地弘傳這部經王，那就是確實在諸天人中體現了佛的廣大事業，這將利益無數眾生。你們應當經常保護和守衛這樣的人。要確保沒有其他因素會傷害那四眾弟子，使得他們的身心都處於寂靜和安樂中，這樣這部經王就會流傳開來，不斷地利益未來的眾生。」
12.56Then the deva king Vaiśravaṇa rose from his seat and said to the Bhagavat, “Bhagavat, I have the rite of the dhāraṇī of the precious wish-fulfilling jewel. Any being who wishes to possess it will gain immeasurable qualities. They will complete the two accumulations of merit and wisdom. [F.95.a] Those who seek to possess it should first recite this mantra of protection for the body. The mantra is thus:
12.56天王毘沙門從座而起，對薄伽梵說道：「薄伽梵，我有如意寶珠陀羅尼的儀軌。任何想要得到它的眾生都將獲得不可量的功德。他們將圓滿功德和智慧的兩種累積。那些想要得到它的人應該首先念誦這個保護身體的真言。真言如下：
12.57namo vaiśravaṇāya mahārājāya | tadyathā | rara rara kuno kuno khuno khuno ruṇo ruṇo saba saba kara kara mahāvikaraṃ mahāvikaraṃ mahākāla mahārāja rakṣa rakṣatu [say your name] mām sarvasatvānāñ ca svāhā |
12.57（咒語不翻）
12.58“Bhagavat, by reciting this mantra and applying the mantra seven times to a white cord, each time untying a knot, and then tying it to the upper arm, the benefit will be that demons will be unable to find them. They should blend many incenses into one, which means equal amounts of bdellium, sandalwood, frankincense, and pinwheel flower, and, holding a censer in their hands, they should burn the incense and make an offering. They should wash themselves perfectly clean, wear new, clean clothes and, in a solitary house, repeat the mantra that invokes Vaiśravaṇa, the king of devas. This is the mantra:
12.58「薄伽梵，透過誦持這個真言，並將真言七次施加於白色的繩子上，每次解開一個結，然後將其繫在上臂，其效果將是魔鬼無法找到他們。他們應該將許多香混合為一，這意味著等量的沒藥、檀香、乳香和旋轉花，手持香爐，燃燒香並進行供養。他們應該完全淨潔身體，穿著新的、清潔的衣服，在隱居的房子裡，重複誦持召喚天大王毘沙門的真言。這是真言：
12.59namo vaiśravaṇāya mahādhanadāya caṇḍeśvarāya ākarṣa aparājita caṇḍeśvara paramakāruṇika sarvasatvāhitacintā [say your name] mama dhanavardho parameśvara svayaṃ ākarṣaya svāhā |
12.59（咒語不翻）
12.60“After repeating this mantra completely seven times, they should then recite the essence mantra. Before reciting those mantras, they should bow down reverently to the Three Jewels and then do the recitation beginning with the name of Vaiśravaṇa, the lord of devas. Then wealth will be bestowed, all the aspirations of beings will be completely fulfilled, and happiness will be bestowed upon them.
12.60「誦完這個真言七遍後，他們應該誦念如意寶珠的心要真言。在誦念這些真言之前，他們應該恭敬地向三寶禮拜，然後開始誦念，以諸天之主毘沙門大王的名號開始。這樣財富就會被賜予，眾生所有的願望都將圓滿成就，幸福也會降臨到他們身上。」
12.61“Having paid homage in that way, if they recite the essence mantra of the precious wish-fulfilling jewel of King Vaiśravaṇa, the happiness they wish for will be bestowed.”
12.61「以那樣的方式禮敬之後，如果他們誦念毘沙門天王如意寶珠的精要真言，他們所希望的快樂將會被賜予。」
12.62Then Vaiśravaṇa, the lord of devas, recited in the presence of the Bhagavat the essence mantra of the precious wish-fulfilling jewel: [F.95.b]
12.62那時毘沙門天王在薄伽梵面前誦說如意寶珠的精要真言：
12.63namo ratnatrayāya | namo vaiśravaṇāya mahārājāya | tadyathā | simi simi sumu sumu caṇḍa caṇḍa cara cara sara sara kara kara kili kili kuru kuru muru muru curu curu sādhaya ātmanām nityaṃ antardhātu svāhā | namo vaiśravanāya svāhā | dhanadāya svāhā | manorathaparipūrāya svāhā |
12.63（咒語不翻）
12.64“When reciting the mantra, it should first be repeated a full thousand times. Then afterward, in a clean room, they should plaster a narrow area of the floor with cow dung, making a small circle, and then single-mindedly make an offering with whatever food they have. They should continuously burn excellent incense so that its smoke is continually rising. They should maintain mindfulness of the previous essence mantra night and day, repeating it just loudly enough so that they themselves can hear it but others will be unaware of it.
12.64「誦真言時，應先完整誦滿一千遍。之後在清淨的房間裡，用牛糞塗抹地板的一小片區域，做成一個小圓圈，然後一心一意地用他們擁有的任何食物做供養。應該不斷燃燒上等的香，使其煙氣持續上升。應該日夜保持對之前的真言精要的念，誦讀時聲音要剛好足夠讓自己能聽到，但他人卻無法察覺。」
12.65“At that time, Jinarṣabha, the son of Vaiśravaṇa, will manifest in the form of a youth and come before them and ask, ‘Why have you called my father?’ They should answer him, ‘I seek wealth in order to make offerings to the Three Jewels, and so I pray for him to bestow it on me.’ At that time, Jinaṛṣabha, on hearing those words, will return to his father and say to his father, ‘Today a human practitioner of virtue is single-mindedly making offerings to the Three Jewels, but because he is lacking in wealth, he is supplicating you, father.’ Then the father will say, ‘You should go to him quickly and give him a hundred kārṣāpaṇas every day,’ and so he will then come to them.
12.65「那時，毘沙門的兒子金聚將以青年的形象顯現在他們面前，並前來問道：『你為什麼召喚我的父親？』他們應該回答：『我尋求財富是為了供養三寶，因此我祈禱他賜予我財富。』那時，金聚聽到這些話，就會回到他父親那裡，對他的父親說：『今天有一位修持善行的人類修行者一心一意供養三寶，但因為他缺乏財富，他在祈求您，父親。』那時父親會說：『你應該快速去找他，每天給他一百迦利沙貝那。』這樣他就會來到他們面前。」
12.66“If they see such an omen because they have been reciting the mantra, they should know that their goal will be accomplished. They should burn the incense alone in a clean room, and in front of their bed they should place a small incense container. Then every dawn they should look inside to see what wealth they have acquired within that incense container. On those days that they acquire wealth, they should offer incense, flowers, and food to the Three Jewels and use it all for gifts to the poor and destitute. [F.96.a] They should not be miserly and keep the wealth, but instead they should have a motivation of love and compassion for beings. They should not develop a motivation of anger, deception, or malice. If anger arises, it will destroy the power of their accomplishment, so they should always guard the mind and not become angry.
12.66「如果他們因為念誦真言而看到這樣的徵兆，應當知道他們的目標將會成就。他們應當在清淨的房間裡單獨燒香，在床前放置一個小香爐。然後每天黎明時分，他們應當查看香爐內獲得了什麼財富。在那些獲得財富的日子，他們應當向三寶供奉香、花和食物，並將這一切用於施捨給貧困和無依靠的人。他們不應當悭吝而保留財富，反而應當對眾生生起慈心和慈悲的動機。他們不應當生起瞋、欺騙或恨的動機。如果瞋心生起，它將會摧毀他們成就的力量，所以他們應當始終守護自己的心，不要生起瞋心。」
12.67“Moreover, while possessing this mantra, if they always think of and praise me, the deva king Vaiśravaṇa, and my sons, daughters, and retinue, they will always follow the ten good actions, and those deities will increase and augment the power of their merit, increase all good actions, and gain the realization of enlightenment. Numerous deities, on seeing this, will all be overjoyed and come together to guard an individual who is reciting the mantra.
12.67「而且，如果持有此真言的人，經常思念和讚歎我毘沙門天王，以及我的兒子、女兒和眷屬，他們將永遠遵循十善業，那些天神將增長他們的功德力，增進一切善業，並獲得菩提的證悟。無數的天神看到這一切，都將歡喜踴躍，聚集在一起守護持誦此真言的人。
12.68“Moreover, those mantra holders will have a long life, will live for innumerable years, will always be free of the three lower existences, and will never be harmed. They will obtain the precious wish-fulfilling jewel and treasures. They will attain higher cognitions, power, and the fulfillment of all their aspirations. Even if they seek advice on what to do, that will be accomplished just as wished for. They will even understand the language of all wild animals.
12.68"而且，這些持咒者將獲得長壽，能活無數年，將永遠遠離三惡趣，永遠不會受到傷害。他們將獲得珍貴的如意寶珠和財寶。他們將獲得神通、力量，以及所有願望的圓滿成就。即使他們尋求關於應如何行動的建議，那也將如願以償地實現。他們甚至將能夠理解所有野生畜生的語言。
12.69“Bhagavat, if someone wishes to see the manifestation of my body when they are reciting the mantra, then on the eighth or fifteenth day of the month they should have an image of the Buddha painted on white cotton made beautiful with various pigments and a binding medium. The artist who paints that image should take the eight vows. He should paint an image of Great Goddess Śrī on the Buddha’s left. On the Buddha’s right he should paint me, King Vaiśravaṇa, with my sons, daughters, and entourage, [F.96.b] and it should be placed upon a throne.
12.69「薄伽梵，如果有人在誦持真言時，希望見到我身體的示現，那麼在每月初八或十五日，他應該用白棉布繪製一尊佛像，用各種色彩和粘合劑使其變得美麗。繪製這幅佛像的藝術家應當受持八關齋戒。他應該在佛的左邊繪製偉大的吉祥天女。在佛的右邊，他應該繪製我毘沙門天王，以及我的兒子、女兒和眷屬，[F.96.b]並將其安置在寶座上。
12.70“Scatter various flowers, burn excellent, perfect incense, and keep lamps alight day and night. Excellent, perfect food and drink of various kinds should be offered with a motivation of veneration in the three periods and the mantra recited. Do not have a motivation for gain.
12.70「應當撒下各種鮮花，燃燒殊勝圓滿的香，晝夜不斷地點亮燈火。應當在三時中以恭敬心供養各種殊勝圓滿的飲食，並誦持真言。不應當有貪求利益的動機。」
12.71“When invoking me, they should recite this mantra:
12.71「當祈請我時，他們應當誦持這個真言：
12.72namaḥ śrīkaṇṭhāya buddhāya | namo vaiśravaṇāya yakṣarājāya mahārājāya atirājāya | namaḥ śrī mahādeviyai | tadyathā | tara tara turu turu vara vara suśuddho suśuddho hana hana maṇikanaka | vajravaidūrya muktikālaṃkrta sarirāya sarvasatvānāṃ hitakāma vaiśravaṇa śriyadevīprabhāya ehi ehi māvilamba ghūrṇa ghūrṇa parasya parasya dadāhi mama amukanāsya | darśanakāmasya darśanaṃ mama mana, pralahadāya svāhā |
12.72（咒語不翻）
12.73“Bhagavat, when I see humans who recite the mantra and, moreover, make such vast offerings, I will develop a motivation of love and affection and rejoicing, and I will transform into the form of a child or young person, or an old man, or a bhikṣu, and, holding the precious wish-fulfilling jewel and a bowl of gold in my hands, I will enter the circle and show veneration with my body. I will speak the name of the Buddha and say to those reciting the mantra, ‘You will accomplish your goals exactly as you have wished,’ so that if they wish to vanish into a forest, if they wish to obtain jewels, if they wish to inspire affection and honor from the entire multitude of beings, if they wish to acquire wealth such as gold and silver, if they wish to attain the accomplishments of the mantra, or if they wish to acquire the higher cognitions, [F.97.a] a very long life, or excellent perfect pleasures, there will be no wish of his that cannot be accomplished.
12.73「薄伽梵，當我看到人們念誦真言，並且做出如此廣大的供養時，我將生起慈心和歡喜的動力，我將化現為孩童或少年、老人或比丘的身形，手中拿著如意寶珠和金碗，進入圓圈中用身體表示恭敬。我將說出佛的名號，對念誦真言的人說：『你們將恰好如同你們所願地成就目標。』這樣，如果他們想要隱沒進入森林，如果他們想要獲得珠寶，如果他們想要從所有的眾生那裡獲得愛戴和尊敬，如果他們想要獲得金銀等財富，如果他們想要成就真言的成就，或者如果他們想要獲得神通、極長的壽命或最殊勝的快樂，那麼將沒有他的任何願望無法成就。」
12.74“Today, though I reveal only this much, whatever is wished for will be accomplished, and whatever unending precious treasures that have not been attained, whatever ultimate qualities that are not possessed, they will be accomplished. It may be possible for the sun and moon to fall onto a narrow piece of ground, it may be possible for this great earth to sometimes transform into something else, but my words of truth could never fail, so that wished-for happiness will always be obtained.
12.74「今日我雖然只顯現這些，但凡所祈願的必定成就，凡未曾獲得的無盡寶藏，凡未曾具足的究竟功德，都將成就。日月有可能墜落到狹小的地面上，大地有可能有時變成其他東西，但我的真實語言永遠不會落空，所以祈願的幸福將永遠得以獲得。」
12.75“Bhagavat, if someone who acquires this king of sūtras, possesses it, reads it, and recites it were to recite this mantra, then without fatigue they would quickly accomplish the rites.
12.75「薄伽梵，如果有人得到這部經王，對它進行領受、誦讀和念誦，並且念誦這個真言，那麼他們不會疲倦，很快就能完成儀軌。」
12.76“Bhagavat, today I have taught this mantra for the sake of beings who are in poverty and afflicted by suffering. Therefore, they will gain a great benefit, and they will all attain wealth, happiness, independence, and freedom from harm.
12.76「薄伽梵，我今天為了貧困且被苦難折磨的眾生而傳授這個真言。因此，他們將獲得巨大的利益，並且都將獲得財富、幸福、獨立和免於傷害的自由。」
12.77“I will follow those individuals as long as they live, guard them, and dispel all harm. Moreover, I will illuminate with light as far as a hundred steps all around those individuals who possess and promulgate this Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light and recite the mantra. I will have the hundreds of thousands of yakṣas continually serve them and be their servants for whatever they wish, so that there will be nothing that they wish that cannot be accomplished.
12.77「我將終身跟隨那些人，保護他們，消除一切危害。而且，對於那些持有和傳播這至勝王經、金光明經並誦持真言的人，我將用光照亮周圍百步以內的地方。我將讓成千上萬的夜叉不斷地侍奉他們，做他們的僕人，滿足他們的任何願望，使得他們的願望沒有無法成就的。」
12.78“My words of truth that I speak are not untrue, which the Bhagavat alone has the power to know.” [F.97.b]
12.78「我所說的真實之言絕非虛妄，唯有薄伽梵具有了知的力量。」
12.79Vaiśravaṇa, the king of devas, having uttered this mantra, at that time the Bhagavat said, “Mahārāja, it is well done, well done, that you tear open the net of the suffering of poverty for all beings so that they attain happiness, and that you have taught this mantra in order to promulgate this sūtra widely in the world.”
12.79毘沙門天王宣說了這真言之後，薄伽梵當時說道：「大王，你做得很好，很好，你為了所有眾生撕裂貧窮苦難的網，使他們獲得快樂，而且你教導這真言是為了在世間廣泛弘揚這部經，這做得非常好。」
12.80The Four Mahārājas then simultaneously rose from their seats and, with their upper robes over one shoulder, bowed down their heads to the Bhagavat’s feet, knelt on their right knees, reverently placed their palms together, and praised the qualities of the Bhagavat with these wonderful verses:
12.80四大天王於是同時從座位上起身，脫下一隻肩膀上的衣服，將頭低垂向薄伽梵的腳下，單膝跪地，恭敬地合掌，用這些精妙的偈頌讚歎薄伽梵的功德。
12.86At that time, when the Four Mahārājas had praised the Bhagavat, the Bhagavat spoke these verses to the Four Mahārājas:
12.86當時，四大天王讚歎薄伽梵之後，薄伽梵向四大天王說這些偈頌：
12.103The Four Mahārājas, on hearing these verses, were happy, delighted, and overjoyed. They therefore said to the Bhagavat, “Bhagavat, we have never before heard such a profound and wonderful sūtra as this.” Overpowered with joy, they shed tears and wept, and their limbs trembled and shook. Because of the manifestation of such a marvelous, wonderful, inconceivable thing, they scattered divine coral tree flowers and great coral tree flowers upon the Bhagavat and made superior offerings to him. They said to the Bhagavat, “Bhagavat, we, the Four Mahārājas, each with a following of five hundred yakṣas, will always be present and perfectly guard here and there this sūtra and those dharmabhāṇakas and defend them so that they will be defended by the light of wisdom. If any line of verse or word of this sūtra is omitted, in order that they be remembered and not omitted, we will bestow an extremely superior doorway to the power of retention, so that the sūtra will be complete. [F.99.a]
12.103四大天王聽到這些偈頌後，都感到歡喜、欣悅、喜悅。因此他們對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，我們從未聽聞過像這樣深妙殊勝的經。」他們被喜悅所感動，流下眼淚，身體顫動搖晃。由於見證了這樣的奇妙不可思議的事情，他們撒下天界的珊瑚樹花和大珊瑚樹花供奉薄伽梵，並對他做出最殊勝的供養。他們對薄伽梵說：「薄伽梵，我們四大天王，每位各率領五百夜叉，將常住於此，圓滿地守護此處和彼處的這部經及那些法師，保護他們使其受到智慧的光明保護。如果這部經的任何一句偈頌或一個字被遺漏，為了使其被記憶而不被遺漏，我們將賜予極其殊勝的陀羅尼之力的門徑，使得這部經得以圓滿。」
12.104“Moreover, we will ensure that this sublime, supreme king of sūtras, wherever it is present, will be promulgated widely among beings and will not quickly vanish.”
12.104「而且，我們將確保這部殊勝、至高無上的經王，無論在何處，都能廣泛在眾生中弘揚，不會很快消失。」
12.105At that time, when the Bhagavat taught this Dharma within that large assembly, countless beings gained the eloquence of great wisdom and accumulated an incalculable aggregation of merit; freed from the harm of misery, they attained happiness of mind, became learned in various treatises, attained the path of abandoning saṃsāra, became irreversible, and quickly realized enlightenment.
12.105那時，薄伽梵在大眾之中演說這個法，無數眾生獲得了大智慧的辯才，積累了不可計量的功德聚集；他們從痛苦的傷害中得到解脫，獲得了心的喜樂，在各種論述中變得博學多聞，證得了捨離輪迴的道路，成為不退轉者，很快實現了菩提。
12.106This concludes “The Four Mahārājas Protecting the Land,” the twelfth chapter of “The Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light.” [B7]
12.106（結尾）