English
English version: Their hearts filled with joy, they bowed their heads in reverence and naturally returned, generating a mind of equality and yearning for the most perfect enlightenment. 'Subhuti (佛陀的弟子, Buddha's disciple)! Seeing the venerable Buddhas is never in vain. Those who hear their voices, in a single moment of thought, take it as the foundation of the path, and thus ultimately attain the state of Nirvana. Therefore, the Tathagata (佛的称号, Buddha's title) manifests alms-begging.' 'Subhuti! When the Tathagata enters towns, countries, and villages, those who are bound and imprisoned are liberated. If beings hear the name of the Tathagata and follow his sacred teachings, they will naturally be liberated. Desiring to repay his compassionate grace, they generate the intention for unsurpassed, true, and perfect enlightenment. Therefore, the Tathagata manifests alms-begging.' 'Subhuti! If sons and daughters of good families hear of the Tathagata's meritorious virtues, praise and sing his name, which is fitting to his title, and offer the Tathagata delicious food, clothing, bedding, and other offerings, and respectfully care for their parents, siblings, spouses, and children, if there is no karmic connection, they should not deliberately go to see the Tathagata. Therefore, the Tathagata enters towns, countries, and villages to beg for alms, and people, filled with joy, offer their contributions, all generating the intention for unsurpassed, true, and perfect enlightenment.' 'Subhuti! The Four Heavenly Kings offer the Tathagata's bowl. If the poor lack wealth and desire to give a small offering, seeing the Tathagata's bowl, it will naturally be filled. If the wealthy desire to give generously, seeing the Tathagata's bowl empty, they will offer to the Buddha, all generating the intention for unsurpassed, true, and perfect enlightenment. Therefore, the Tathagata manifests alms-begging.' 'Subhuti! Suppose the Tathagata takes many dishes and mixes them all together, then puts hundreds of thousands of millions of bowls back into one bowl, without mixing them up, each remaining as it was originally. Countless devas, dragons, gods, Gandharvas (天上的乐神, celestial musicians), Asuras (一种好战的神, a warlike deity), Garudas (一种大鹏金翅鸟, a mythical bird), Kinnaras (一种半人半鸟的神, a mythical being, half-human and half-bird), and Mahoragas (一种大蟒神, a great serpent deity), seeing the Tathagata's transformation and manifestation, will have unprecedented good thoughts arise, all generating the intention for unsurpassed, true, and perfect enlightenment. Therefore, the Tathagata manifests alms-begging.' 'Subhuti! The Tathagata's body is like diamond, an accumulation of immeasurable blessings. The Tathagata's body has no organs for digestion or storage, nor any impurities of excretion, and does not need to endure hunger or thirst while walking.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
分卫，现有所食不睹所入，而见如来，显明大慧真正之法皆发道意。 “又，须菩提！若有众生施如来食，多少粗细甘美不好，所贡上膳在于如来，所种德本所立福祐，不可限量无有边际，况复广施受天人福，众祐不尽至得灭度，以是之故而行分卫。 “又，须菩提！如来一定三昧正受，无数神尊诸天子等，众梵天王色行天子，见于如来而行分卫不舍三昧，心自念言：‘今佛愍哀众生之故，而行乞食不用饥乏，诸天人民睹斯义利皆发道意，以故如来现行分卫。’ “又，须菩提！如来常怀贤圣自在而行分卫，无有贪嫉亦不饮食，为诸信者，颁宣经道，令出家学，化族姓子女故行分卫。未曾饮食其饥馑者，不能自致至于道德，欲令此等所愿具足，故显分卫。 “又，须菩提！如来执怀贤圣自行分卫，救诸不贤济众挂碍使无所著，令兴大道至无极慧。 “又，须菩提！如来愍念将来之世边地诸国，故行分卫，得无后世不信道法长者梵志，心自念言：‘此等圣师不行分卫，弟子何故横行乞食？’见诸比丘及比丘尼怀恚不喜。由是之故，佛现分卫。心自念言：‘佛无上尊愍众分卫，弟子法之因供咨嗟，手自斟酌施与比丘，此等学士承佛至教而行分卫。’见之欣然，供养一切比丘、比丘尼。以故 现代汉语译本 分卫（Pindapata，托钵乞食），现在所食之物并未亲眼见到其来源，却能见到如来（Tathagata，佛陀），这显明了大智慧的真正佛法，皆能启发修道之心。 ‘又，须菩提（Subhuti，佛陀的弟子）！若有众生供养如来食物，无论多少、粗细、甘美与否，凡是进献给如来的上等膳食，所种下的德行根本，所建立的福佑，都是不可估量、没有边际的。更何况是广泛布施，接受天人和乐的福报，各种福佑无穷无尽，直至最终获得涅槃（Nirvana，解脱）。因此之故，如来才实行分卫。’ ‘又，须菩提！如来处于一定的三昧（Samadhi，禅定）正受之中，无数神祇、天子等，以及众梵天王（Brahma，色界天之主）、色行天子，见到如来在行分卫时，也不舍弃三昧，心中暗自思忖：‘如今佛陀怜悯众生的缘故，才实行乞食，并非因为饥饿。诸天人民见到这其中的义理和利益，都能启发修道之心。’因此，如来才示现行分卫。’ ‘又，须菩提！如来常常怀着贤圣的自在之心而行分卫，没有贪婪和嫉妒，也不（特别为了自己）饮食，而是为了给信徒们宣讲经道，让他们出家学习，教化族姓子女，所以才行分卫。如果未曾经历过饥饿的人，不能自己达到道德的境界，为了让这些人所希望的都能圆满具足，所以才显现分卫。’ ‘又，须菩提！如来执持着贤圣之心，亲自实行分卫，救济那些不贤之人，救助众生的挂碍，使他们没有执着，从而兴起大道，达到无极的智慧。’ ‘又，须菩提！如来怜悯未来世边远地区的国家，所以才行分卫，以免后世不信奉佛法的长者和婆罗门（Brahmana，印度教祭司），心中暗自思忖：‘这些圣师都不实行分卫，弟子们为何要到处乞食？’从而对诸比丘（Bhiksu，男性出家人）及比丘尼（Bhiksuni，女性出家人）怀有怨恨，心生不悦。因为这个缘故，佛陀才示现分卫。他们心中会想：‘佛陀是无上尊者，怜悯众生而行分卫，弟子们效法佛陀的因缘，应该恭敬供养。’于是亲手斟酌，施舍给比丘们，认为‘这些学士是秉承佛陀的教诲而行分卫。’见到此情此景，他们会感到欣然，从而供养一切比丘、比丘尼。因此，如来才行分卫。’
English
English version Pindapata (alms-begging), now what is eaten is not seen where it comes from, but the Tathagata (the Buddha) is seen, revealing the true Dharma of great wisdom, all of which inspires the aspiration for enlightenment. ‘Furthermore, Subhuti (a disciple of the Buddha)! If sentient beings offer food to the Tathagata, whether it is much or little, coarse or fine, delicious or not, whatever superior food is offered to the Tathagata, the roots of virtue planted, the blessings established, are immeasurable and without limit. How much more so to give widely, receiving the blessings of gods and humans, with inexhaustible blessings until Nirvana (liberation) is attained. Therefore, the Tathagata practices Pindapata.’ ‘Furthermore, Subhuti! The Tathagata, being in a certain Samadhi (meditative state) of right reception, countless deities, such as gods and celestial beings, as well as the Brahma (lord of the Form Realm) kings and celestial beings of the Form Realm, seeing the Tathagata practicing Pindapata, do not abandon Samadhi, thinking to themselves: ‘Now the Buddha, out of compassion for sentient beings, practices alms-begging, not because of hunger. When gods and people see the meaning and benefit of this, they all aspire to enlightenment.’ Therefore, the Tathagata manifests the practice of Pindapata.’ ‘Furthermore, Subhuti! The Tathagata always practices Pindapata with the freedom of a sage, without greed or jealousy, and does not eat (particularly for himself), but to proclaim the Dharma to believers, to encourage them to leave home and study, and to transform the sons and daughters of noble families, therefore practicing Pindapata. Those who have never experienced hunger cannot attain morality on their own. To fulfill the wishes of these people, the Tathagata manifests Pindapata.’ ‘Furthermore, Subhuti! The Tathagata upholds the heart of a sage, personally practicing Pindapata, saving the unwise, helping beings overcome obstacles, freeing them from attachments, and thus promoting the Great Way to limitless wisdom.’ ‘Furthermore, Subhuti! The Tathagata, out of compassion for the countries in remote regions in the future, practices Pindapata, lest in later generations elders and Brahmanas (Hindu priests) who do not believe in the Dharma think to themselves: ‘These holy teachers do not practice Pindapata, why should their disciples go begging everywhere?’ Thus, they harbor resentment and displeasure towards the Bhiksus (male monastics) and Bhiksunis (female monastics). For this reason, the Buddha manifests Pindapata. They will think: ‘The Buddha is the Supreme One, practicing Pindapata out of compassion for beings, the disciples follow the Buddha's example and should be respectfully offered to.’ Thus, they will personally pour and give to the Bhiksus, thinking that ‘these scholars are practicing Pindapata following the Buddha's teachings.’ Seeing this, they will be delighted and offer to all Bhiksus and Bhiksunis. Therefore, the Tathagata practices Pindapata.’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 如来而现分卫。
Chinese
“又，须菩提！诸王帝主、太子、长者、梵志、大臣、百官诸子，见于如来、无上正真不乞食者，若有众人信乐道法，弃家行学而作沙门耻于分卫：‘我等家门姓贵豪尊出为沙门，反从庶民贫家下劣乞分卫乎？’以故如来现行分卫。心自念言：‘如来大德犹如虚空，愍行分卫，况我等乎？念此不惭，哀诸下劣，乐行分卫。’ “又，须菩提！如来普随世间习俗而劝化之，因其劝乐各从众生，应受化律而授道教，如来各随而建立之，缘其方便未曾饥虚，无有众患饥渴之难，不以羸劣，无有悭嫉，无有众恶，决诸疑网。如是，须菩提！如来以此无量方便欲救众生，故行分卫，度众闇塞使见道明。” 女谓须菩提：“贤者宁能以是随时方便用斯大哀，如此众祐，建修清净，行分卫乎？” 须菩提答曰：“姊！我不堪任，犹如一切野狐狸兔众鹿么虫，不能当任师子兽王，不能独步，而现其前师子吼也。如是一切声闻、缘觉之乘，不任如来威神礼节善权方便，普安一切大慈大哀。” 女说此善权方便如来大哀时，其女父母长者，家中大小及余长者，来入舍中闻所说法，二万八千人，皆发无上正真道意。 顺权方便经卷上 大正藏第 14 册 No. 0565 顺权方 现代汉语译本 如来示现分卫（bhikṣācāra，托钵乞食）。 ‘又，须菩提（Subhūti）！诸王、帝主、太子、长者（gṛhapati，富有的居士）、梵志（brāhmaṇa，婆罗门）、大臣、百官诸子，见到如来、无上正真（anuttarā samyaksaṃbodhi，无上正等正觉）不乞食，如果有人信乐道法，舍弃家庭修行学道而作为沙门（śrāmaṇa，出家修行者），却耻于分卫：‘我们这些家门显贵的人出家为沙门，反而要向庶民、贫家、下等人乞讨食物吗？’因此如来示现行分卫。心中这样想：‘如来的大德犹如虚空，尚且慈悲地行分卫，何况我们呢？’想到这里就不会感到惭愧，怜悯那些地位低下的人，乐于行分卫。 ‘又，须菩提！如来普遍随顺世间的习俗而劝导教化，因为劝导他们乐于各自跟随众生，应接受教化的规律而授予道教，如来各自随顺而建立他们，凭借这种方便，未曾感到饥饿，没有各种疾病饥渴的苦难，不会因此而衰弱，没有悭吝嫉妒，没有各种恶行，解决各种疑惑。’如此，须菩提！如来用这种无量方便想要救度众生，所以行分卫，度化那些愚昧闭塞的人，使他们见到真理的光明。 女子对须菩提说：‘贤者您能用这种随时应变的方便，运用这种大慈悲，如此广大的福佑，建立清净的修行，行分卫吗？’ 须菩提回答说：‘姊姊！我不堪胜任，就像一切野狐狸、兔子、众鹿、小虫，不能胜任师子兽王，不能独自行走，而显现出师子吼。像这样，一切声闻（śrāvaka，听闻佛法而悟道者）、缘觉（pratyekabuddha，独自悟道者）之乘，不能胜任如来的威神礼节、善巧方便，普遍安乐一切的大慈大悲。’ 女子说出这种善巧方便、如来大慈悲的时候，她的父母、长者，家中大小以及其他长者，来到舍中听闻所说的法，二万八千人，都发起了无上正真道意（anuttarā samyaksaṃbodhi citta，无上正等正觉之心）。 顺权方便经卷上
English
English version The Tathāgata Manifesting Alms-Seeking. ‘Furthermore, Subhūti! When kings, emperors, crown princes, householders (gṛhapati, wealthy laymen), Brahmins (brāhmaṇa), ministers, and sons of various officials see the Tathāgata, the Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment (anuttarā samyaksaṃbodhi), not begging for food, if there are people who believe in and delight in the Dharma, abandon their homes to practice and study the Way, and become śrāmaṇas (śrāmaṇa, renunciates), but are ashamed of alms-seeking: ‘We, from noble and honorable families, have become śrāmaṇas, yet we must beg for food from commoners, poor families, and the lowly?’ Therefore, the Tathāgata manifests alms-seeking. He thinks to himself: ‘The Tathāgata's great virtue is like the void, yet he compassionately practices alms-seeking, how much more so should we?’ Thinking this, they will not feel ashamed, but will have compassion for those of low status and will gladly practice alms-seeking.’ ‘Furthermore, Subhūti! The Tathāgata universally follows the customs of the world to exhort and transform them, because he exhorts them to delight in following sentient beings, to accept the rules of those who should be transformed, and to impart the teachings of the Way. The Tathāgata establishes them accordingly, and through this skillful means, they never feel hunger, do not suffer from various diseases or the difficulties of hunger and thirst, do not become weak, do not have stinginess or jealousy, do not have various evil deeds, and resolve all doubts.’ Thus, Subhūti! The Tathāgata uses these immeasurable skillful means to save sentient beings, therefore he practices alms-seeking, to liberate those who are ignorant and closed-minded, and to enable them to see the light of the Way. The woman said to Subhūti: ‘Venerable one, are you able to use this expedient means that adapts to the times, to employ this great compassion, such vast blessings, to establish pure practice, and to practice alms-seeking?’ Subhūti replied: ‘Sister! I am not capable, just as all wild foxes, rabbits, deer, and small insects cannot be the match for the lion king, cannot walk alone, and cannot manifest the lion's roar before it. Likewise, all vehicles of śrāvakas (śrāvaka, hearers of the Dharma) and pratyekabuddhas (pratyekabuddha, solitary Buddhas) are not capable of the Tathāgata's majestic power, etiquette, skillful means, and universal peace, great compassion, and great pity.’ When the woman spoke of this skillful means and the Tathāgata's great compassion, her parents, the householder, the members of the household, and other householders came into the house to hear the Dharma that was being spoken. Twenty-eight thousand people all generated the mind of Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment (anuttarā samyaksaṃbodhi citta). Sūtra on Skillful Means, Volume 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 便经 顺权方便经卷下 西晋月支三藏竺法护译 假号品第四