English
English version: 'To perform great Buddhist ceremonies, everyone is seated. Therefore, one should create a lion throne and an image in the lotus position.' At that time, Vishvakarman (the celestial craftsman) saw the event from afar and knew that the king intended to create a Buddha image. During the night, he pondered: 'My craftsmanship is the most exquisite; there is no one in the world who can compare to me. If I were to create it, it should be somewhat similar to the Buddha.' He then transformed himself into a craftsman, carrying various sharp tools. At dawn the next day, he stood by the palace gate and had the gatekeeper inform the king: 'I now wish to create a Buddha image for Your Majesty! My craftsmanship is unparalleled in the world. I only hope that Your Majesty will not allow anyone else to do it!' Upon hearing this, the king was overjoyed and ordered him to enter. Observing his appearance and demeanor, he knew he was a skilled craftsman and thought: 'How could there be such a person in the world? Could it be Vishvakarman himself, or perhaps his disciple, who has come here?' The king then removed the necklace he was wearing, held it in his own hands, and placed it around the craftsman's neck. He also promised him various immeasurable treasures. The king then, together with the minister in charge of the treasury, selected fragrant wood from the inner treasury, carried it on his shoulders, and presented it to the celestial craftsman, saying: 'Excellent, noble one! You should use this wood to create a Buddha image for me, making it similar to the form of the Tathagata (如来).' At that time, the celestial craftsman said to the king: 'Although my craftsmanship is said to be the best, it is ultimately impossible to perfectly create the form of the Buddha. It is like someone using charcoal to draw the sun, saying it is similar; there is no such possibility. Even if one were to create a Buddha image with pure gold, it would be the same. Some heretics say: 'Brahma (梵天) can create all the worlds, yet he cannot fully create the Buddha's form, possessing all the excellent marks!' But my craftsmanship is the best in the world, so I will create it for Your Majesty! This morning is the eighth day of the lunar month, when the Pushya (弗沙) star is in conjunction with the appearance of Vibhavati (毗婆诃底), the time when the Buddha was first born, and there is still this response. This day is auspicious and joyous, and it is appropriate to begin the work.' After saying this, he picked up an axe and chopped the wood, the sound of which reached the Trayastrimsha Heaven (三十三天), arriving at the Buddha's assembly. By the power of the Buddha, the sound reached all places, and all beings heard it.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
者，罪垢、烦恼皆得销除。尔时如来即便微笑，种种叹美其王功德，乃至遥授阿耨多罗三藐三菩提记。 尔时三十三天主白佛言：“世尊！今在人间颇亦有人，曾于曩生作佛像不？” 佛言：“天主！诸有曾经作佛像者，皆于过去先已解脱，在天众中尚复无有，况于余处！唯有北方毗沙门子那履沙婆，曾于往昔造菩萨像，以斯福故，后得为王，名频婆娑罗。复因见我，今得生天，有大势力，永离恶道。优楼频螺迦叶、伽耶迦叶、那提迦叶并曾于往世修故佛堂，由此因缘永得解脱。憍梵波提昔作牛身，追求水草，右绕精舍，食诸草竹，因见尊容，发欢喜心，乘兹福故，今得解脱。尸毗罗曾持宝盖，供养佛像；阿㝹楼䭾然一支灯亦以供养；输鞞那曾扫佛堂；阿婆摩那于佛像前燃灯施明；难陀比丘爱重尊仪，香水洗沐。有如是等无量诸阿罗汉，皆悉曾于佛像之所薄申供养——乃至极下如那伽波罗，于像座前，以少许黄丹画一像身，而为供养——由此福故，皆永离苦而得解脱。天主！若复有人能于我法未灭尽来，造佛像者，于弥勒初会皆得解脱。若有众生非但为已而求出离，乃为欲得无上菩提，造佛像者，当知此则为三十二相之因，能令其人速致成佛。” 尔时优陀延王心自思惟：“云何令我所造之像速得 现代汉语译本：这样，罪业和烦恼都能消除。当时，如来便面露微笑，种种赞美国王的功德，甚至遥远地为他授记阿耨多罗三藐三菩提（anuttara-samyak-sambodhi，无上正等正觉）。 当时，三十三天主（Trayastrimsa，佛教神话中的忉利天）问佛说：‘世尊！现在人间是否也有人，曾经在过去世制作佛像呢？’ 佛说：‘天主！所有曾经制作佛像的人，都已经于过去世解脱了。在天众之中尚且没有，更何况在其他地方！只有北方毗沙门（Vaisravana，佛教护法神）的儿子那履沙婆（Narishabha），曾经在往昔建造菩萨像，因为这个福报，后来得以成为国王，名叫频婆娑罗（Bimbisara）。又因为见到我，现在得以升天，有很大的势力，永远脱离恶道。优楼频螺迦叶（Uruvilva-kasyapa）、伽耶迦叶（Gaya-kasyapa）、那提迦叶（Nadi-kasyapa）都曾经在过去世修缮旧佛堂，由此因缘永远得到解脱。憍梵波提（Gavampati）过去是牛身，寻找水草，右绕精舍，吃各种草竹，因为见到佛的尊容，生起欢喜心，凭借这个福报，现在得以解脱。尸毗罗（Sivira）曾经手持宝盖，供养佛像；阿㝹楼䭾（Aniruddha）点燃一支灯也用来供养；输鞞那（Subhina）曾经打扫佛堂；阿婆摩那（Apamana）在佛像前燃灯施明；难陀（Nanda）比丘爱重佛的尊容，用香水洗浴。像这样无数的阿罗汉（Arhat），都曾经在佛像之处略微地表达供养——甚至最下等的，像那伽波罗（Naga-pala），在佛像座前，用少许黄丹画了一个像身，作为供养——因为这个福报，都永远脱离痛苦而得到解脱。天主！如果有人能够在我佛法未灭尽之前，建造佛像，在弥勒（Maitreya）初会时都能得到解脱。如果有众生不只是为了自己而求出离，而是为了想要得到无上菩提（anuttara-bodhi，无上智慧），建造佛像，应当知道这就是三十二相（lakshanas，佛的三十二种殊胜的相）的原因，能够使这个人迅速成就佛果。’ 当时，优陀延王（Udayana）心中思惟：‘如何才能使我所造的佛像迅速地……’
English
English version: Thus, sins and afflictions can be eliminated. At that time, the Tathagata (Tathagata, 'Thus Gone One', an epithet of the Buddha) smiled, praising the king's merits in various ways, and even remotely predicted his attainment of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, unsurpassed perfect enlightenment). At that time, the lord of the Trayastrimsa Heaven (Trayastrimsa, the Heaven of Thirty-three Gods in Buddhist cosmology) asked the Buddha, 'World Honored One! Are there also people in the human realm who have made Buddha images in their past lives?' The Buddha said, 'Lord of the Heavens! All those who have made Buddha images have already been liberated in their past lives. There are none even among the heavenly beings, let alone elsewhere! Only Narishabha (Narishabha), the son of Vaisravana (Vaisravana, a guardian deity in Buddhism) in the north, once made a Bodhisattva image in the past. Because of this merit, he later became a king named Bimbisara (Bimbisara). And because he saw me, he is now reborn in heaven, possessing great power, and is forever free from evil paths. Uruvilva-kasyapa (Uruvilva-kasyapa), Gaya-kasyapa (Gaya-kasyapa), and Nadi-kasyapa (Nadi-kasyapa) all repaired old Buddha halls in their past lives, and by this cause, they have attained eternal liberation. Gavampati (Gavampati) was once a cow, seeking water and grass, circumambulating the monastery to the right, eating various grasses and bamboos. Because he saw the Buddha's dignified appearance, he developed a joyful mind, and by this merit, he is now liberated. Sivira (Sivira) once held a jeweled canopy to offer to the Buddha image; Aniruddha (Aniruddha) also offered a single lamp; Subhina (Subhina) once swept the Buddha hall; Apamana (Apamana) lit lamps and provided illumination before the Buddha image; the Bhikkhu Nanda (Nanda) cherished the Buddha's dignified appearance and bathed it with fragrant water. Countless Arhats (Arhat, a perfected being) like these have all made slight offerings at the Buddha image—even the lowest, like Naga-pala (Naga-pala), who drew a figure on the Buddha's seat with a little yellow cinnabar as an offering—because of this merit, they have all been freed from suffering and attained liberation. Lord of the Heavens! If anyone can make Buddha images before my Dharma is completely extinguished, they will all be liberated at the first assembly of Maitreya (Maitreya, the future Buddha). If there are beings who seek liberation not only for themselves but also desire to attain Anuttara-bodhi (anuttara-bodhi, unsurpassed enlightenment), and make Buddha images, know that this is the cause of the thirty-two marks (lakshanas, the thirty-two auspicious marks of a Buddha), which can enable that person to quickly attain Buddhahood.' At that time, King Udayana (Udayana) thought to himself, 'How can I make the image I have made quickly...' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
成就？”作是念已，语彼匠言：“汝可勤心令功速毕，使我早得瞻仰礼敬。”是时天匠运其工巧，专精匪懈，不日而成。其像加趺，坐高七尺，面及手足皆紫金色。时优陀延王见像得成，相好端严，心生净信，获柔顺忍。既得忍已，益加欣庆，所有业障及诸忧恼并得销除。譬如日出，雾露皆尽，唯除一业，现身受者，以曾于圣人起恶语故。 其王尔时即以种种殊珍异物赏彼天匠。是时天匠敬白王言：“王今造像，我心随喜。愿与大王同修此福！今王所赐，非我敢受。若要相与，待余吉日。”作是语已，即于其夜还升本天。 尔时诸大国王阿阇世等，并先于佛心怀渴慕。闻王造像，功已获成，皆生喜庆。共至王所，各以无量花香、音乐供养佛像，复以种种诸珍宝物赠奉于王，咸作是言：“大王！所作甚为希有，能拔我等愁忧毒箭！” 尔时如来在彼天中为母说法，及诸天众咸得利喜，所应作事皆已作讫，复告众言：“诸天子！诸佛、世尊是常住身，若诸众生有可度者，即为出现教化说法。若所作事毕，更无有能受法化者，如来于此即便不现。无智之人，谓佛实灭。如来身者，法身、常身，实不灭度。诸天子！一切诸佛法皆如是，为化众生有现、不现。” 尔时如来复作是言：“汝等当知！此诸 现代汉语译本：‘成就？’这样想着，他对工匠说：‘你可要尽心尽力，让工程尽快完成，使我能早日瞻仰礼敬。’当时，天匠运用他的精巧技艺，专心致志，毫不懈怠，没几天就完成了。佛像加上莲花座，坐高七尺，面部和手足都是紫金色。当时，优陀延王（Udayana，人名，意为出爱）见到佛像完成，相貌庄严美好，心中生起清净的信心，获得了柔顺忍辱。得到忍辱后，更加欣喜庆幸，所有的业障和各种忧愁烦恼都得以消除。譬如太阳升起，雾气露水都消散殆尽，唯独有一种业报，现在自身承受，因为曾经对圣人恶语相向的缘故。 当时国王立刻用各种珍奇的宝物赏赐那位天匠。当时，天匠恭敬地对国王说：‘大王您建造佛像，我内心非常随喜赞叹。希望能够和大王一同修习这份福报！现在大王所赏赐的，我不敢接受。如果要相赠与，等待其他吉日吧。’说完这些话后，当天晚上就返回了本来的天界。 当时，各位大国王，如阿阇世（Ajatasattu，人名，意为未生怨）等，都先前就对佛陀心怀渴慕。听到国王建造佛像，功德已经完成，都感到欢喜庆幸。一同来到国王的住所，各自用无量的鲜花、香、音乐供养佛像，又用各种珍贵的宝物赠送给国王，都这样说道：‘大王！您所做的事情非常稀有难得，能够拔除我们心中的忧愁毒箭！’ 当时，如来在那天界中为母亲说法，以及各位天众都得到利益和欢喜，所应该做的事情都已经做完，又告诉大家说：‘各位天子！诸佛、世尊是常住之身，如果各位众生有可以被度化的，就为他们出现，教化说法。如果所要做的事情完毕，再也没有能够接受教化的人，如来在这里就不再显现。没有智慧的人，认为佛陀真的灭度了。如来的身体，是法身、常身，实际上并没有灭度。各位天子！一切诸佛的法都是这样，为了教化众生，有显现和不显现。’ 当时，如来又这样说：‘你们应当知道！这些’
English
English version: 'Achievement?' Thinking this, he said to the craftsman, 'You must work diligently to complete the project quickly, so that I can pay homage and respect as soon as possible.' At that time, the heavenly craftsman used his exquisite skills, dedicated and tireless, and completed it in a few days. The statue, including the lotus pedestal, was seven feet tall, and its face and hands and feet were all purple-gold in color. At that time, King Udayana (Udayana, a name meaning 'born of love') saw the statue completed, with its dignified and beautiful appearance, and a pure faith arose in his heart, and he obtained gentleness and forbearance. After obtaining forbearance, he was even more joyful and happy, and all his karmic obstacles and various worries and afflictions were eliminated. It was like the sun rising, and the mist and dew all dissipated, except for one karmic retribution, which he was now suffering in his own body, because he had once spoken evil words to a sage. At that time, the king immediately rewarded the heavenly craftsman with various rare and precious objects. At that time, the heavenly craftsman respectfully said to the king, 'Your Majesty, I am very happy and delighted that you have built the statue. I hope to cultivate this blessing together with Your Majesty! I dare not accept what Your Majesty has bestowed. If you want to give it to me, wait for another auspicious day.' After saying these words, he returned to his original heaven that night. At that time, the great kings, such as Ajatasattu (Ajatasattu, a name meaning 'unborn enemy'), and others, had previously longed for the Buddha in their hearts. Hearing that the king had built the statue and that the merit had been completed, they all felt happy and joyful. Together they came to the king's residence, and each offered the Buddha statue with immeasurable flowers, incense, and music, and also presented the king with various precious treasures, all saying, 'Your Majesty! What you have done is very rare and precious, and can remove the poisonous arrows of sorrow from our hearts!' At that time, the Tathagata was in that heaven preaching the Dharma to his mother, and all the heavenly beings received benefit and joy, and all the things that should be done were completed, and he told everyone, 'O sons of heaven! The Buddhas and World Honored Ones are permanent bodies, and if there are beings who can be saved, they will appear for them, teaching and preaching the Dharma. If the things that need to be done are completed, and there are no more people who can receive the teachings, the Tathagata will no longer appear here. Those without wisdom think that the Buddha has truly passed away. The body of the Tathagata is the Dharma body, the permanent body, and it is not actually extinguished. O sons of heaven! All the Buddhas' Dharma is like this, for the sake of teaching sentient beings, there is appearance and non-appearance.' At that time, the Tathagata said again, 'You should know! These' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------