English
English version: 'Because of wisdom, it is called Mahayana (Great Vehicle).' Chapter Three on Alms Round At that time, the worthy Subhuti (one of the principal disciples of the Buddha) asked his daughter, 'Please praise the Mahayana (Great Vehicle)! Explain in detail the auspicious responses and the beginning and end of the practice.' His daughter replied, 'Even if I were to spend kalpas (eons) upon kalpas praising the Mahayana (Great Vehicle), I could not fully and exhaustively understand its boundaries. The deeds of the Mahayana (Great Vehicle) are immeasurable, its virtue is supremely pure, and its merits and fame are countless.' Subhuti (one of the principal disciples of the Buddha) then said to his daughter, 'My sister asked me, “Why does the worthy one practice alms round?” The Tathagata (one who has thus come, Buddha), the ultimate truth, also practices alms round. I follow the Tathagata's (one who has thus come, Buddha) conditions and dare not disobey the command.' His daughter replied, 'Yes, Subhuti (one of the principal disciples of the Buddha)! You can understand the skillful means of all Buddhas, who practice alms round to enlighten sentient beings.' Subhuti (one of the principal disciples of the Buddha) asked his daughter, 'Are you also capable of understanding the meaning of the various actions of the Buddhas that accord with the times? I cannot fully explain the meaning, but only say that I practice skillful means by practicing alms round?' The daughter replied, 'Worthy one, please listen again. The Tathagata (one who has thus come, Buddha), the ultimate truth, observes the Dharma (teachings) and practices alms round with twenty considerations. What are the twenty? First, to manifest one's own subtle and upright form and appearance; second, to follow the Tathagata's (one who has thus come, Buddha) teachings on alms round; third, if there are sentient beings who wish to learn to adorn the Buddha's thirty-two marks; fourth, to observe that the Tathagata's (one who has thus come, Buddha) body is fully adorned; fifth, to completely and perfectly embody the various beauties of the physical form according to the Dharma (teachings); sixth, to inspire the intention for the unsurpassed, true, and right path; seventh, to remember the Tathagata (one who has thus come, Buddha) while practicing alms round, emulating him according to the Dharma (teachings); eighth, if the Tathagata (one who has thus come, Buddha) enters a district, country, or town, the district, country, or town will universally attain peace; ninth, the blind will be able to see and perceive all colors; tenth, the deaf will be able to hear and distinguish various sounds; eleventh, those whose minds are confused and deluded will be able to subdue and settle their minds; twelfth, if there are naked people, they will obtain natural clothing; thirteenth, the hungry will obtain food; fourteenth, the thirsty will obtain water; fifteenth, the sick will be healed; sixteenth, there will be no anger or ignorance; seventeenth, there will be no greed or jealousy; eighteenth, there will be no resentment or anger, nor arrogance; tenth --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
九曰、心不怀恼普愍众生；二十曰、念无央数众生之类如身父母；是谓二十。 “若使如来入郡国县邑丘聚行分卫者，令诸众生有所见闻，发无上正真道心。又，须菩提！世尊大哀，来化众生无数众苦，悉至三界随时救护，如来现义因得自在故行分卫。 “唯，须菩提！如来所入郡国县邑行分卫时，无数诸天、龙、神、揵沓和、何须伦、迦留罗、真陀罗、摩休勒、释梵四王，皆随侍之奉事供养，承佛威神皆发道心。 “又，须菩提！诸天、龙、神、释梵四王，供养如来，见如来身，道明无边寂然庠序，心自念言：‘至未曾有，如来、至真所宣正典我等咨受，所奉经法爱乐自归。如来、至真发大道心，以是之故而行分卫。’ “唯，须菩提！如来分卫无数众人，慕官贪士好财志豪，求端正色欲多眷属，见佛世尊舍转轮王出家为道，心自念言：‘睹佛大哀诣贫匮家而行分卫，弃世荣禄发无上正真道意，故行分卫。’ “唯，须菩提！诸大尊神、天子、梵天，承佛威神观见如来，心自念言：‘如来常充未曾饥渴，用愍众生故与眷属而行分卫，我等慕乐夙夜精进，成至正觉，与眷属俱而行分卫。’作是念已，发大道意。 “唯，须菩提！若懈怠众懒惰不勤，见于如来入郡国县邑州域大邦 现代汉语译本 九、心中不怀恼怒，普遍怜悯众生；二十、想着无数的众生都如同自己的父母；这就是所说的二十种功德。 ‘如果如来进入郡、国、县、邑、村落等地方乞食，能让所有众生有所见闻，从而发起无上正真道心。而且，须菩提（Subhuti）！世尊以大慈悲心，来教化众生，解除无数的痛苦，在三界之中随时救护，如来显现这种意义是因为已经得到自在，所以才去乞食。 ‘是的，须菩提（Subhuti）！如来进入郡、国、县、邑乞食的时候，无数的诸天、龙、神、乾闼婆（Gandharva，天神，以音乐为食）、阿修罗（Asura，一种神道，常与天神作战）、迦楼罗（Garuda，一种大鸟，是毗湿奴的坐骑）、紧那罗（Kinnara，天神，半人半马）、摩睺罗伽（Mahoraga，一种蛇神）、释提桓因（Sakka，忉利天之主）、梵天四王，都跟随侍奉，进行供养，承受佛的威神之力，都发起了道心。 ‘而且，须菩提（Subhuti）！诸天、龙、神、释提桓因（Sakka，忉利天之主）、梵天四王，供养如来，见到如来的身相，明白佛道光明无边，寂静而有秩序，心中自己想到：‘真是前所未有，如来、至真所宣讲的正典，我们恭敬接受，所奉行的经法，我们喜爱并归顺。如来、至真发起了大道心，因此才去乞食。’ ‘是的，须菩提（Subhuti）！如来乞食，无数的众人，羡慕官位、贪恋钱财、爱好美色、追求众多眷属的人，见到佛世尊舍弃转轮王的地位出家修道，心中自己想到：‘看到佛以大慈悲心前往贫困人家乞食，舍弃世间的荣华富贵，发起无上正真道意，所以才去乞食。’ ‘是的，须菩提（Subhuti）！诸大尊神、天子、梵天，承受佛的威神之力，看到如来，心中自己想到：‘如来常常是充实的，从未有饥饿干渴，因为怜悯众生的缘故，与眷属一起去乞食，我们羡慕并乐于此，日夜精进，成就至正觉悟，与眷属一起去乞食。’这样想了之后，就发起了大道意。 ‘是的，须菩提（Subhuti）！如果懈怠的众生，懒惰不勤奋，见到如来进入郡、国、县、邑、州域、大邦
English
English version Ninth, the mind does not harbor anger, universally compassionate to all beings; twentieth, thinking of countless beings as one's own parents; this is what is meant by twenty. 'If the Tathagata (如来，another name for Buddha) enters districts, countries, counties, towns, villages, and settlements to go begging for food, it will allow all beings to see and hear, and thus arouse the unsurpassed, true, and right mind of enlightenment. Moreover, Subhuti (须菩提)! The World Honored One, with great compassion, comes to transform beings, relieving countless sufferings, and at all times protects them in the three realms. The Tathagata (如来) manifests this meaning because he has attained freedom, and therefore goes begging for food.' 'Yes, Subhuti (须菩提)! When the Tathagata (如来) enters districts, countries, counties, and towns to beg for food, countless devas (诸天，gods), nagas (龙，dragons), spirits, Gandharvas (乾闼婆，celestial musicians who feed on fragrance), Asuras (阿修罗，demigods who are often in conflict with the devas), Garudas (迦楼罗，mythical birds), Kinnaras (紧那罗，mythical beings, half-human and half-horse), Mahoragas (摩睺罗伽，great serpents), Sakka (释提桓因，ruler of the Trayastrimsa heaven), and the Four Heavenly Kings of Brahma, all attend to him, serving and making offerings. Receiving the majestic power of the Buddha, they all arouse the mind of enlightenment.' 'Moreover, Subhuti (须菩提)! The devas (诸天), nagas (龙), spirits, Sakka (释提桓因), and the Four Heavenly Kings of Brahma, making offerings to the Tathagata (如来), seeing the body of the Tathagata (如来), understanding that the path of enlightenment is boundless, peaceful, and orderly, think to themselves: 'This is unprecedented. The true and right teachings proclaimed by the Tathagata (如来), the Truly Enlightened One, we respectfully receive. The sutras and teachings we uphold, we love and return to. The Tathagata (如来), the Truly Enlightened One, has aroused the mind of the great path, and for this reason, he goes begging for food.' 'Yes, Subhuti (须菩提)! When the Tathagata (如来) begs for food, countless people who admire official positions, are greedy for wealth, love beauty, and seek many relatives, seeing the World Honored Buddha renounce the position of a Chakravartin (转轮王，wheel-turning king) to leave home and cultivate the path, think to themselves: 'Seeing the Buddha, with great compassion, go to poor families to beg for food, abandoning worldly glory and wealth, arousing the unsurpassed, true, and right mind of enlightenment, therefore he goes begging for food.' 'Yes, Subhuti (须菩提)! The great honored gods, devas (天子，heavenly beings), and Brahmas, receiving the majestic power of the Buddha, seeing the Tathagata (如来), think to themselves: 'The Tathagata (如来) is always full and never hungry or thirsty, but out of compassion for beings, he goes begging for food with his retinue. We admire and delight in this, diligently striving day and night, to achieve perfect enlightenment, and go begging for food with our retinue.' Having thought this, they arouse the mind of the great path.' 'Yes, Subhuti (须菩提)! If lazy beings are indolent and not diligent, seeing the Tathagata (如来) enter districts, countries, counties, towns, provinces, and large states --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
，心中欢悦稽首自归，发平等心慕最正觉。 “唯，须菩提！见诸佛尊终不虚妄，众人睹闻其音响者，一发意顷以为道本，因是究竟得至灭度，以故如来而行分卫。 “唯，须菩提！如来入郡国县邑，诸在系缚闭在牢狱而得解脱，众生若闻如来名号，承其圣旨自然得解，欲报慈恩发无上正真道意，以是之故而现分卫。 “唯，须菩提！族姓子、族姓女若闻如来功勋之德，叹咏名称适承其号，奉上如来肴膳异味，衣被床卧及他异供，敬护父母兄弟姊妹、夫妇子孙，若无因缘，不得故往奉见如来，以故如来入于郡国县邑而行分卫，心怀踊跃贡上供养，皆发无上正真道意。 “唯，须菩提！其四天王奉如来钵，若贫穷众少于财宝欲薄布施者，见如来钵自然而满；大财富者欲广施者，见如来钵空因供施佛，皆发无上正真道意，以故如来现行分卫。 “唯，须菩提！假使如来取若干膳悉齐合著，百千亿钵还着一钵，不令杂错各如本故，无数诸天、龙、神、揵沓和、阿须伦、迦留罗、真陀罗、摩休勒，睹于如来变化示现，得未曾有善心生矣，皆发无上正真道意，以是之故而行分卫。 “唯，须菩提！如来身者金刚之数无量福会，如来身者无有生藏及与熟藏，亦无不净大小之便，不用饥渴而行 现代汉语译本：心中充满喜悦，稽首礼拜，自然归顺，发起平等之心，仰慕最正觉悟。 ‘须菩提（Subhuti，佛陀的弟子）！见到诸佛的尊容，终究不会是虚妄的。众人听闻佛的声音，在一念之间就以此为修道的根本，因此最终能够达到涅槃寂灭的境界。所以，如来（Tathagata，佛的称号）才示现行乞。’ ‘须菩提！如来进入郡国县邑，那些被束缚、囚禁在牢狱中的众生得以解脱。众生如果听闻如来的名号，秉承如来的圣旨，自然就能得到解脱，想要报答佛的慈悲恩德，就会发起无上正真道意。因此，如来才示现行乞。’ ‘须菩提！善男子、善女人如果听闻如来的功德，赞叹歌颂如来的名号，恰好符合如来的称号，奉献给如来美味佳肴，衣服、床铺以及其他供养，恭敬地守护父母兄弟姐妹、夫妻子孙。如果没有因缘，不能特意前去拜见如来。因此，如来进入郡国县邑而行乞，人们心中充满喜悦，贡献上供养，都发起无上正真道意。’ ‘须菩提！四大天王奉上如来的钵。如果贫穷的人缺少财宝想要少量布施，见到如来的钵自然就满了；大富之人想要广行布施，见到如来的钵是空的，因此供养佛，都发起无上正真道意。因此，如来示现行乞。’ ‘须菩提！假如如来取来许多膳食全部混合在一起，用成百上千亿的钵再放回一个钵中，不让它们混杂错乱，各自保持原来的样子。无数的天、龙、神、乾闼婆（Gandharva，天上的乐神）、阿修罗（Asura，一种好战的神）、迦楼罗（Garuda，一种大鹏金翅鸟）、紧那罗（Kinnara，一种半人半鸟的神）、摩睺罗伽（Mahoraga，一种大蟒神），看到如来的变化示现，生起前所未有的善心，都发起无上正真道意。因此，如来才示现行乞。’ ‘须菩提！如来的身体是金刚之身，聚集了无量的福德。如来的身体没有生藏和熟藏，也没有大小便的不净之处，不用忍受饥渴而行。’