English
English version: ‘Tathagata (Thus Come One, one of the titles of the Buddha), Arhat (Worthy of Offerings), Samyaksambuddha (Perfectly Enlightened One), complete with the ten titles.’ After Dipankara Buddha (the Buddha of the Burning Lamp) gave me the prediction, he told the Bhikkhus (Buddhist monks): ‘You should develop a sense of respect in this place and not be disrespectful. Why? Because there is a virtuous man here who spread his hair on the ground to receive the feet of the World Honored One, and through his extraordinary power, he immediately attained the perfection of forbearance. Therefore, all the devas (gods) and humans in this place revere and venerate it as if it were a stupa or temple, without any difference.’ When Dipankara Tathagata (the Thus Come One of the Burning Lamp) spoke these words, eighty kotis (a unit of measurement in India, one koti equals ten million) of devas and humans said to the Buddha in unison: ‘World Honored One! We now develop a sense of respect in this place, as if it were a stupa or temple.’ At that time, there was a wealthy man named Sumeru (Virtuous Heaven), who said to Dipankara Buddha (the Buddha of the Burning Lamp) in that assembly: ‘I will now build a seven-jeweled stupa here, so that all beings can venerate and worship it and receive blessings.’ At that time, the wealthy man acted according to his words, generating a rare mind, gathering various jewels to build a stupa, tall and wide, wonderful and unparalleled, with various decorations, its merit being extremely beautiful, and it was completed in a few days. At that time, after the wealthy man had built the stupa, he went to Dipankara Buddha (the Buddha of the Burning Lamp) and reported: ‘World Honored One! I have already built a wonderful seven-jeweled stupa. How much merit will I obtain in the future?’ The Buddha said: ‘Wealthy man! If a virtuous man digs up the earth from the place where a Bodhisattva-Mahasattva (Great Bodhisattva) has attained the Anutpattika-dharma-ksanti (the insight into the truth of the non-arising of phenomena), even down to the water's edge, and respectfully offers this earth, the merit obtained would be the same as offering to all the stupas and temples of the Buddhas, without any difference. How much more so if you now generate pure faith and build a seven-jeweled stupa? The merit obtained will be even greater than before, immeasurable and boundless.’ At that time, Dipankara Tathagata (the Thus Come One of the Burning Lamp) again told the wealthy man Sumeru (Virtuous Heaven): ‘You have now planted deep roots of goodness here. In the future, Sakyamuni Buddha (the Buddha of the Sakya clan) will give you the prediction of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment).’ At that time, Sakyamuni Buddha (the Buddha of the Sakya clan) told the great Bodhisattvas (Enlightenment Beings) who had come from other places to attend the assembly about the causes and conditions of receiving the prediction in the past. He further told the Bodhisattvas: ‘You should now know that after I planted roots of goodness with Dipankara Buddha (the Buddha of the Burning Lamp) in the past, I was able to become a Buddha now. At that time, the place where I attained forbearance, those devas and humans revered as if it were... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
佛塔；汝等今日于此地中亦应如是起尊敬想。 “复次，诸菩萨！汝等当知：彼时贤天长者岂异人乎？即今贤天长者是。于彼法中亦名贤天，此人于未来世当得成佛，号曰善现如来、应供、正等正觉，十号具足。 “复次，诸菩萨！我此所说甚深之法，若有苾刍、苾刍尼、优婆塞、优婆夷能听、受、读、诵、为他演说者，是人所居之地，天人瞻敬，如佛塔庙等无有异。 “复次，诸菩萨！若有善男子、善女人修施行者，聚以七宝满三千大千世界，于昼夜六时供养诸佛及苾刍众，如是乃至劫尽；不如于此未曾有正法听、受、读、诵一四句偈，是人所获功德倍胜于前。 “又复，若人修戒行者，于一劫中持佛戒法无有缺犯，圆满一切净戒功德；不如于此正法听、受、读、诵，比前功德千分不及一。 “又复，若人修忍行者，于一劫中常行忍辱，于一切众生不生恚害，如是获得忍行圆满；不如于此正法听、受、读、诵、如法修行，获得法忍具足功德，如是而为最上。 “又复，若人修精进者，于一劫中勤行教化一切众生而不暂起懈怠之心，如是获得精进圆满；不如于此正法听、受、读、诵，所获功德倍胜于前。 “又复，若人修禅定者，于一劫中住三摩地，一心专注，离诸散乱 现代汉语译本：佛塔：你们今天在这个地方也应该像对待佛塔一样，生起尊敬之心。 ‘再者，各位菩萨！你们应当知道：当时的贤天长者难道是别人吗？就是现在的贤天长者。他在那个法中也名叫贤天，这个人未来世将会成佛，佛号为善现如来（Sugata，善逝）、应供（Arhat，阿罗汉）、正等正觉（Samyak-sambuddha，又译为正遍知），具备如来十种称号。’ ‘再者，各位菩萨！我所说的这个甚深之法，如果有比丘（Bhikkhu，出家男众）、比丘尼（Bhikkhuni，出家女众）、优婆塞（Upasaka，在家男众）、优婆夷（Upasika，在家女众）能够听闻、接受、读诵、为他人演说，那么这个人所居住的地方，天人和人们都会瞻仰敬畏，如同佛塔寺庙一样，没有任何区别。’ ‘再者，各位菩萨！如果有善男子、善女人修行布施，用充满三千大千世界的七宝，在白天和夜晚的六个时段供养诸佛以及比丘僧众，这样一直到经历一个劫的时间；也不如听闻、接受、读诵这未曾有过的正法中的一句四句偈，这个人所获得的功德比前者要胜过百倍。’ ‘又，如果有人修行戒行，在一个劫的时间里持守佛陀的戒律而没有丝毫违犯，圆满一切清净戒律的功德；也不如听闻、接受、读诵这个正法，比前者的功德连千分之一都比不上。’ ‘又，如果有人修行忍辱，在一个劫的时间里常常行持忍辱，对于一切众生不生起嗔恨和伤害之心，这样获得忍辱行的圆满；也不如听闻、接受、读诵这个正法、如法修行，获得法忍具足的功德，这样才是最殊胜的。’ ‘又，如果有人修行精进，在一个劫的时间里勤奋地教化一切众生而不曾生起丝毫懈怠之心，这样获得精进的圆满；也不如听闻、接受、读诵这个正法，所获得的功德比前者要胜过百倍。’ ‘又，如果有人修行禅定，在一个劫的时间里安住于三摩地（Samadhi，禅定），一心专注，远离各种散乱
English
English version: Stupa: You should also, in this place today, generate thoughts of reverence in the same way. 'Furthermore, Bodhisattvas! You should know: Is that Elder Suddha (Virtuous Heaven) of that time different from anyone else? He is the current Elder Suddha. In that Dharma, he is also named Suddha. This person will attain Buddhahood in the future, and will be named the Tathagata (如来, Thus Gone), Arhat (应供, Worthy of Offerings), Samyak-sambuddha (正等正觉, Perfectly Enlightened One) named Suvikranta (Well Appeared), complete with the ten titles.' 'Furthermore, Bodhisattvas! If there are Bhikshus (比丘, Monks), Bhikshunis (比丘尼, Nuns), Upasakas (优婆塞, Male Lay Followers), or Upasikas (优婆夷, Female Lay Followers) who can hear, receive, read, recite, and explain this profound Dharma that I have spoken, then the place where this person resides will be revered and respected by gods and humans, just like a stupa or temple, without any difference.' 'Furthermore, Bodhisattvas! If there are good men or good women who cultivate giving, gathering seven treasures to fill three thousand great chiliocosms, making offerings to all Buddhas and the Bhikshu Sangha during the six periods of day and night, even until the end of a kalpa (劫, eon); it is not as good as hearing, receiving, reading, and reciting one four-line verse from this unprecedented true Dharma. The merit acquired by this person is a hundred times greater than the former.' 'Moreover, if a person cultivates moral conduct, upholding the Buddha's precepts for one kalpa without any transgression, perfecting all pure precepts and merits; it is not as good as hearing, receiving, and reciting this true Dharma, not even one-thousandth of the merit of the former.' 'Moreover, if a person cultivates patience, constantly practicing forbearance for one kalpa, without generating hatred or harm towards all sentient beings, thus attaining the perfection of patience; it is not as good as hearing, receiving, reading, and reciting this true Dharma, cultivating according to the Dharma, and attaining the complete merit of Dharma-patience, which is the most supreme.' 'Moreover, if a person cultivates diligence, diligently teaching and transforming all sentient beings for one kalpa without ever giving rise to a moment of laziness, thus attaining the perfection of diligence; it is not as good as hearing, receiving, and reciting this true Dharma, the merit acquired is a hundred times greater than the former.' 'Moreover, if a person cultivates meditation, abiding in Samadhi (三摩地, concentration) for one kalpa, with one-pointed focus, free from all distractions.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
，如是获得定行圆满；不如于此正法听、受、读、诵，所获功德倍胜于前。 “又复，若人修智慧者，于一劫中修诸智慧方便，如是获得智慧圆满；不如于此正法听、受、读、诵，所获功德广大无量，速能圆满一切智果。” 尔时，他方来会诸大菩萨闻释迦牟尼佛宣说此法甚深功德，各白佛言：“世尊！我等听受此法，还于本土为人演说，宣通流布，使诸众生各获利益。” 释迦牟尼佛言：“善哉，善哉。诸善男子！汝等宜应宣布此法，广为众生施作佛事。” 是时诸来菩萨即散妙花满三千大千世界，供养释迦牟尼佛及妙吉祥菩萨，作如是言：“愿此正法久住阎浮提中利益一切众生。愿释迦牟尼佛及妙吉祥菩萨久住世间，放法光明照诸众生。我等今者得入此会见佛、世尊、闻说妙法，皆因妙吉祥菩萨而为劝导。假使我等舍其头、目、手、足而以奉施，犹不能报菩萨之恩；今此散花而亦未为报恩供养。是故，若有善男子、善女人得见诸佛、闻正法者，假使舍其头、目、手、足，终不能报诸佛之恩。是故，当须于佛、菩萨及诸经法起净信心，尊敬供养，勿生轻易及疑惑想——起是想者，获大重罪。” 尔时，他方来会诸大菩萨说是语已，礼世尊足，右绕三匝，即于会中隐身不现，还本佛土 现代汉语译本： ‘如果有人这样修习禅定，就能获得禅定修行的圆满；不如听闻、接受、读诵这部正法，所获得的功德要远远胜过前者。 ‘又，如果有人修习智慧，在一劫（kalpa）的时间里修习各种智慧方便法门，这样才能获得智慧的圆满；不如听闻、接受、读诵这部正法，所获得的功德广大无量，能够迅速圆满一切智慧的果实。’ 这时，从其他世界前来集会的大菩萨们，听闻释迦牟尼佛（Śākyamuni Buddha）宣说这部佛法的甚深功德，各自对佛说：‘世尊！我们听受这部佛法后，回到自己的本土，会为人演说，宣扬流通，使一切众生各自获得利益。’ 释迦牟尼佛说：‘好啊，好啊。各位善男子！你们应当宣扬这部佛法，广泛地为众生施行佛事。’ 这时，前来的菩萨们散布美妙的鲜花，遍满三千大千世界，供养释迦牟尼佛和妙吉祥菩萨（Mañjuśrī），这样说道：‘愿这部正法长久住世在阎浮提（Jambudvīpa）中，利益一切众生。愿释迦牟尼佛和妙吉祥菩萨长久住世，放出佛法光明照耀一切众生。我们今天能够进入这个法会，见到佛、世尊，听闻宣说妙法，都是因为妙吉祥菩萨的劝导。即使我们舍弃头、眼、手、脚来奉献，仍然不能报答菩萨的恩德；现在散花也算不上是报恩供养。因此，如果有善男子、善女人能够见到诸佛、听闻正法，即使舍弃头、眼、手、脚，终究不能报答诸佛的恩德。所以，应当对佛、菩萨以及各种经法生起清净的信心，尊敬供养，不要产生轻视和疑惑的想法——产生这种想法的人，会获得极大的罪过。’ 这时，从其他世界前来集会的大菩萨们说完这些话后，礼拜世尊的脚，右绕三圈，就在法会中隐身不见，返回各自的佛土。
English
English version: 'If someone thus cultivates samādhi (concentration), they will attain the perfection of samādhi practice; it is not as good as listening to, receiving, reading, and reciting this Dharma, the merits obtained are many times greater than the former.' 'Furthermore, if someone cultivates wisdom, cultivating various skillful means of wisdom for one kalpa (aeon), they will thus attain the perfection of wisdom; it is not as good as listening to, receiving, reading, and reciting this Dharma, the merits obtained are vast and immeasurable, and they can quickly perfect the fruit of all wisdom.' At that time, the great Bodhisattvas who came to the assembly from other worlds, hearing Śākyamuni Buddha expounding the profound merits of this Dharma, each said to the Buddha: 'World Honored One! After we listen to and receive this Dharma, we will return to our own lands and expound it for others, propagate and circulate it, so that all beings may each obtain benefits.' Śākyamuni Buddha said: 'Excellent, excellent. Good men! You should propagate this Dharma and widely perform Buddha-deeds for sentient beings.' At that time, the Bodhisattvas who came scattered wonderful flowers, filling the three thousand great thousand worlds, offering them to Śākyamuni Buddha and Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva, and said thus: 'May this Dharma long abide in Jambudvīpa (the continent where humans live) to benefit all sentient beings. May Śākyamuni Buddha and Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva long abide in the world, emitting the light of Dharma to illuminate all sentient beings. We are now able to enter this assembly, see the Buddha, the World Honored One, and hear the wonderful Dharma being expounded, all because of the encouragement of Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva. Even if we were to give up our heads, eyes, hands, and feet as offerings, we still could not repay the Bodhisattva's kindness; this scattering of flowers is also not enough to be considered a repayment of gratitude. Therefore, if there are good men and good women who are able to see the Buddhas and hear the Dharma, even if they were to give up their heads, eyes, hands, and feet, they still could not repay the kindness of the Buddhas. Therefore, one should generate pure faith in the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and all the sutras, respect and make offerings, and not give rise to thoughts of contempt or doubt—those who give rise to such thoughts will incur great and heavy sins.' At that time, the great Bodhisattvas who came to the assembly from other worlds, having spoken these words, bowed at the feet of the World Honored One, circumambulated him three times to the right, and then disappeared from the assembly, returning to their respective Buddha-lands. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------