English
English version: There is no fearlessness, no wisdom and non-wisdom, no sage and emptiness, no longevity, no thought and no non-thought, no wish and no non-wish, no attainment of fruition, no seeing and not seeing, no reaching the path, no light and no darkness, and no liberation, no deliverance and no non-deliverance, no other shore, no this shore, no middle stream, no name and no non-name. Such a true word should cause this scripture to spread widely in later generations. Furthermore, it is considered that this scripture should not be without liberation, without diligence there is no laziness, without effort, no negligence, with such sincerity, the Dharma should spread universally, to the place of rebirth, there is no going and no coming, in the past there was no one, not delivering sentient beings, and no extinction, people cannot be obtained, the Dharma has no arising, and no extinction, there is no creator, and no destroyer, no going and no returning, no going and no coming back, no lifting and no lowering, no future Buddha, such a semblance of the Dharma has no illumination, no present Buddha also does not proclaim the Dharma. Because of this reason, the Dharma should spread universally. What this scripture says, is neither keeping precepts nor breaking precepts, neither meditation nor distraction, neither wisdom nor ignorance, neither liberation nor bondage, neither wise seeing nor no wise seeing. This is the true word, causing the scripture to spread universally. Neither giving nor stinginess, neither keeping precepts nor breaking precepts, neither patience nor contention, neither diligence nor laziness, neither meditation nor distraction, neither wisdom nor ignorance. Bodhisattva Mahasattvas! This true and unwavering word causes the Dharma to spread universally, there are no ordinary people, no learners, no Arhats (Sanskrit: Arhat, referring to practitioners who have cut off all afflictions and reached the state of Nirvana), no Pratyekabuddhas (Sanskrit: Pratyekabuddha, referring to practitioners who attain enlightenment on their own without relying on a teacher), no Buddha path, no cause and no non-cause. This Dharma should be made to spread universally in the world. Not sitting under the Bodhi tree, not turning the Dharma wheel (referring to the Buddha's teaching of the Dharma), not praising the Buddha. The Buddha is not present, there are no sentient beings, no extinction, not like the Tathagata (another name for the Buddha). Why is this so? All dharmas eternally reach extinction, this scripture should be made to spread universally in the world. When Manjusri (Sanskrit: Manjusri, a Bodhisattva symbolizing wisdom in Buddhism) proclaimed the essential meaning of establishing the scripture, this three thousand great thousand world trembled six times, its great light illuminated all directions, and in the void, an infinite sound was heard: 'Excellent, excellent! Manjusri! It is indeed as you have vowed. Even if as many demon kings and their retinues as there are sands in the Ganges River, seek opportunities to destroy this scripture, wanting to cause it to be scattered, they will ultimately not be able to disturb this subtle Dharma, preventing it from spreading.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
不流通所以建立是要法者。若族姓子及族姓女，受此经典受持讽诵，闻之信乐，一切皆脱诸魔事业，入佛道慧。” 于是弥勒菩萨前白佛言：“今日何缘地大震动，光明遍照空中畅音。” 佛告弥勒：“何用问为？所以者何？志小下士不识大义，堕于憍慢，斯等长夜不得安隐。” 弥勒白佛：“唯圣说之！多所愍哀，多所安隐，必当慈念诸天人民共信乐之。” 佛告弥勒：“斯经典者，四十七亿百千那术诸佛，于此地上建立说之，皆亦文殊之所发问。善住意天子与共咨启。弥勒来世当成无上正真之道最正觉时，复说此经，其余贤劫诸兴如来亦俱同然。” 弥勒复问佛言：“文殊师利、善住意天子，从来久如闻此经典？” 佛告弥勒：“文殊师利、善住意天子，闻是法来七百万阿僧祇劫，从普华超师子步德王光首如来、至真、等正觉所闻，其于空中唱大音声，净居诸天闻讲此法，各各劝助咨嗟而行，是故地动。” 弥勒菩萨复白佛言：“若族姓子及族姓女受是经者，持讽诵读，为他人说，得何功报？”佛告弥勒：“于意云何？过去当来今现在佛，戒、定、慧、解度、知见品，广兴布施、持戒、忍辱、精进、一心、智慧，使成无上正真道慧，已成当成现在成者，合此德本功祚 现代汉语译本：不流通所以建立，是要法的人。如果善男子和善女人，接受这部经典，受持、讽诵，听闻后信受欢喜，一切都能脱离各种魔的干扰，进入佛的智慧之道。 于是弥勒菩萨（Maitreya Bodhisattva）上前对佛说：‘今日是什么缘故，大地剧烈震动，光明遍照，空中充满美妙的声音？’ 佛告诉弥勒：‘何必问呢？这是因为什么呢？心志狭小、低劣的人不认识伟大的道理，会陷入骄傲自满，这样的人长久以来都不得安宁。’ 弥勒对佛说：‘唯愿圣者宣说！这能给许多人带来怜悯和安宁，必定会慈悲地关怀诸天和人民，让他们共同信受欢喜。’ 佛告诉弥勒：‘这部经典，过去四十七亿百千那由他（nayuta，数量单位，表示极大的数字）诸佛，在这地上建立并宣说，都是文殊菩萨（Manjusri Bodhisattva）所发问的。善住意天子（Sudhivasadevaputra）也一同请教。弥勒，你未来成就无上正等正觉（anuttara-samyak-sambodhi）时，也会宣说这部经典，其余贤劫（bhadrakalpa，佛教宇宙观中的一个时间单位）中出现的如来（tathagata，佛的称号）也是如此。’ 弥勒又问佛：‘文殊师利（Manjusri）、善住意天子，从多久以前就听闻这部经典了？’ 佛告诉弥勒：‘文殊师利、善住意天子，听闻这部法已经有七百万阿僧祇劫（asamkhya kalpa，佛教时间单位，表示极长的时间）了，从普华超师子步德王光首如来（Puhua Chao Shizi Bu De Wang Guang Shou Tathagata）、至真、等正觉那里听闻，他们在空中发出巨大的声音，净居诸天（Suddhavasa Devas）听闻讲说此法，各自劝勉赞叹而行，所以大地震动。’ 弥勒菩萨又对佛说：‘如果善男子和善女人接受这部经典，受持、讽诵、读诵，为他人宣说，会得到什么功德果报？’佛告诉弥勒：‘你认为如何？过去、未来、现在诸佛，在戒、定、慧、解脱、知见等品中，广泛地行布施、持戒、忍辱、精进、一心、智慧，使成就无上正真道慧，已经成就、将要成就、现在成就的，所有这些功德本源’
English
English version: It is not circulated, therefore it is established for those who seek the Dharma. If a son or daughter of a good family receives this scripture, upholds, recites, and hears it with faith and joy, all will be freed from the works of all demons and enter the path of the Buddha's wisdom. Then, Maitreya Bodhisattva stepped forward and said to the Buddha, 'For what reason is the earth greatly shaking today, with light shining everywhere and melodious sounds filling the air?' The Buddha told Maitreya, 'Why do you ask? What is the reason? Those with small and inferior minds do not recognize the great truth, and they fall into arrogance. Such people will not find peace for a long time.' Maitreya said to the Buddha, 'May the Holy One speak! This will bring compassion and peace to many, and will surely be a compassionate concern for the gods and people, so that they may all believe and rejoice.' The Buddha told Maitreya, 'This scripture has been established and spoken on this earth by forty-seven billion hundred thousand nayutas (a unit of large number) of Buddhas in the past, and all were initiated by questions from Manjusri Bodhisattva. Sudhivasadevaputra also inquired together. Maitreya, when you attain the unsurpassed, true, and complete enlightenment (anuttara-samyak-sambodhi) in the future, you will also speak this scripture, and the other Tathagatas (Buddha's title) who appear in the other bhadrakalpas (a unit of time in Buddhist cosmology) will do the same.' Maitreya further asked the Buddha, 'How long ago did Manjusri and Sudhivasadevaputra hear this scripture?' The Buddha told Maitreya, 'Manjusri and Sudhivasadevaputra have heard this Dharma for seven million asamkhya kalpas (a unit of extremely long time in Buddhism), since they heard it from Puhua Chao Shizi Bu De Wang Guang Shou Tathagata, the Perfectly Enlightened One. They made great sounds in the air, and the Suddhavasa Devas (Pure Abode Gods) heard this Dharma being spoken, and each encouraged and praised it, and so the earth shook.' Maitreya Bodhisattva again said to the Buddha, 'If a son or daughter of a good family receives this scripture, upholds, recites, reads, and speaks it to others, what merit will they gain?' The Buddha told Maitreya, 'What do you think? The Buddhas of the past, future, and present, in the categories of precepts, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and knowledge, extensively practice giving, keeping precepts, patience, diligence, mindfulness, and wisdom, to achieve the unsurpassed, true, and complete wisdom. Those who have achieved, will achieve, and are achieving, all these meritorious roots' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 福勋宁多不？”
Chinese
弥勒曰：“多矣，世尊！不可思议，一如来德其福难计，况一切佛。假使德本有形像者，十方佛土不能悉受。” 佛告弥勒：“我故嘱累殷勤相喻，其族姓子及族姓女，闻是经典受持、讽诵、为他人说，福多于彼，何况奉行。所以者何？过去当来今现在佛之所咨讲，悉由是生。” 佛说是经时，江河沙等众生之类发菩萨心复倍是数，逮不退转，成得法忍、法眼净者，各复倍倍。如是十方悉来会者，一切菩萨忻然大悦，善心生焉，稽首佛足，歌叹此法，侥再得闻，无以为喻。忽然不现，各归本土。 贤者阿难前白佛言：“此经名何？云何奉持？” 佛告阿难：“是经名曰‘于一切法无起不灭三昧要品’，又名‘降毁魔场’，当怀持之。又名‘普遍十方定意要慧文殊师利之所讲说’，又名‘如幻所说’，当奉持之！是经典者，能调化人。阿难！当受持讽诵读，为他人说。” 佛说如是，比丘、菩萨、文殊师利、善住意天子、弥勒菩萨、贤者、阿难、诸天龙神、阿须伦、世间人，闻经莫不欢喜。 佛说如幻三昧经卷下 现代汉语译本 ‘福德和功勋多吗？’ 弥勒（Maitreya，未来佛）回答说：‘非常多，世尊！不可思议，一位如来（Tathagata，佛的称号）的功德其福报难以计算，何况是一切佛。假设功德的本体有形像，十方佛土都不能完全容纳。’ 佛告诉弥勒：‘所以我才殷勤地嘱咐并用比喻来说明，那些善男子和善女人，听闻这部经典，接受、持守、诵读、为他人解说，他们的福德比那（指前面所说的佛的功德）还要多，更何况是依教奉行。这是为什么呢？因为过去、未来、现在诸佛所咨询讲解的，都由此而生。’ 佛说这部经的时候，像恒河沙数一样多的众生发起了菩萨心，而且数量倍增，达到不退转的境界，成就了法忍（Dharma-ksanti，对佛法的忍可）和法眼清净的人，数量也各自倍增。像这样，十方世界所有来集会的人，一切菩萨都欢喜踊跃，生起善心，顶礼佛足，歌颂赞叹此法，希望再次听闻，无法用言语来比喻。忽然之间，他们都消失不见，各自回到自己的国土。 贤者阿难（Ananda，佛陀的十大弟子之一）上前禀告佛说：‘这部经叫什么名字？应该如何奉持？’ 佛告诉阿难：‘这部经名为《于一切法无起不灭三昧要品》，又名《降毁魔场》，应当怀持它。又名《普遍十方定意要慧文殊师利（Manjusri，智慧的象征）之所讲说》，又名《如幻所说》，应当奉持它！这部经典，能够调伏教化众生。阿难！应当接受、持守、诵读，并为他人解说。’ 佛说完这些话，比丘、菩萨、文殊师利、善住意天子、弥勒菩萨、贤者、阿难、诸天龙神、阿修罗（Asura，一种神道生物）、世间人，听闻此经没有不欢喜的。 《佛说如幻三昧经》卷下
English
English version 'Are the merits and virtues numerous?' Maitreya (the future Buddha) replied, 'Very numerous, World Honored One! Inconceivable, the merits of one Tathagata (an epithet of the Buddha) are immeasurable, let alone all Buddhas. If the essence of merit had a form, the Buddha lands of the ten directions could not contain it all.' The Buddha told Maitreya, 'That is why I earnestly instruct and use metaphors to explain that those sons and daughters of good families who hear this scripture, accept, uphold, recite, and explain it to others, their merits are more than that (referring to the merits of the Buddhas mentioned earlier), let alone those who practice accordingly. Why is this so? Because the teachings and explanations sought by the Buddhas of the past, future, and present all arise from this.' When the Buddha spoke this scripture, beings as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River generated the Bodhi mind (the aspiration for enlightenment), and their number doubled. Those who attained the state of non-retrogression, and those who achieved Dharma-ksanti (acceptance of the Dharma) and the purity of the Dharma eye, each doubled in number. In this way, all the beings who came from the ten directions, all the Bodhisattvas, rejoiced greatly, generated good minds, bowed at the feet of the Buddha, sang praises of this Dharma, hoping to hear it again, which is beyond description. Suddenly, they disappeared and returned to their respective lands. The Venerable Ananda (one of the ten great disciples of the Buddha) stepped forward and said to the Buddha, 'What is the name of this scripture? How should it be upheld?' The Buddha told Ananda, 'This scripture is named 'The Essential Chapter on the Samadhi of No Arising and No Ceasing in All Dharmas', also named 'The Destruction of the Demon's Arena', you should cherish it. It is also named 'The Discourse on the Universal Ten Directions of the Samadhi of Intent and Wisdom by Manjusri (symbol of wisdom)', and also named 'As Spoken in Illusion', you should uphold it! This scripture can tame and transform people. Ananda! You should accept, uphold, recite, and explain it to others.' After the Buddha spoke these words, the Bhikkhus (monks), Bodhisattvas, Manjusri, the Deva (god) of Good Intent, Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Venerable Ananda, the Devas, Nagas (dragons), Asuras (a type of demigod), and people of the world, all rejoiced upon hearing this scripture. The Lower Volume of the Sutra of the Samadhi of Illusion Spoken by the Buddha --------------------------------------------------------------------------------