English
English version: This is the reason why such things appear in the human realm. If the Tathagata (Tathāgata, 'the Thus Come One', an epithet of the Buddha) does not stay here now and descends to Jambudvipa (Jambudvipa, the continent where we live), people in the world will think that we devas (devas, gods) do not know that the Tathagata (Tathāgata) has great power and virtue and should receive the lawful offerings of the devas (devas), and they will also think that we cannot make offerings to all the Buddhas and World-Honored Ones. We only wish that the Tathagata (Tathāgata) would stay here for a short time and receive our humble offerings! Let those in the human realm know that we devas (devas) are making offerings to the Buddha.' At that time, the World-Honored One silently permitted it. Then the Buddha said to Mahā-Maudgalyāyana (Mahā-Maudgalyāyana, one of the Buddha's ten great disciples, known for his foremost supernatural powers): 'You may go to Jambudvipa (Jambudvipa) first and greet the four assemblies, saying to them: 'All beings who remember me should go to Sankissa (Sankissa, the place where the Buddha returned to the human world from the Trayastrimsa Heaven). After seven days, they will all see me.' Then Mahā-Maudgalyāyana (Mahā-Maudgalyāyana) bowed at the Buddha's feet. After bowing at the Buddha's feet, he arrived in Jambudvipa (Jambudvipa) in an instant and told the four assemblies the Buddha's command. At that time, King Udayana (Udayana, the king of Kausambi in ancient India, who is said to have made the first Buddha statue) and all beings, hearing these words of the Buddha, rejoiced in body and mind, and all sorrows and afflictions were removed, and they all felt cool and refreshed. At that time, the four assemblies—bhikshus (bhiksu, ordained monks), bhikshunis (bhiksuni, ordained nuns), upasakas (upasaka, laymen), and upasikas (upasika, laywomen)—wanted to go to Sankissa (Sankissa) together and first gathered in Rajagriha (Rajagriha, the capital of the ancient Indian kingdom of Magadha), saying to each other: 'When the Tathagata (Tathāgata), the World-Honored One, descends to Jambudvipa (Jambudvipa), whoever can be the first to respectfully bow will always be the leader before the Dharma disappears!' At that time, Mahākātyāyana (Mahākātyāyana, one of the Buddha's ten great disciples, known for his foremost debating skills) was displeased when he heard these words, fearing that the bhikshunis (bhiksuni) would get the chance to be the leader. Why? Because among them, there were two bhikshunis (bhiksuni), Upananda (Upananda) and Utpalavarna (Utpalavarna), who were skilled in understanding the Dharma treasury of all Buddhas, and whose supernatural powers were unmatched except by Maudgalyayana (Maudgalyayana). Thinking this way, he scolded the bhikshunis (bhiksuni) in various ways. At that time, the bhikshuni (bhiksuni) Utpalavarna (Utpalavarna) said to the other bhikshunis (bhiksuni): 'We women are often respected in the secular world, and even those of humble birth still receive the respect, reverence, service, and offerings of men. Moreover, the parents and relatives of the bhikshunis (bhiksuni) in the Buddha's Dharma are mostly of royal descent, diligently upholding the precepts, not violating the rules of conduct, possessing all kinds of virtues, yet they are still required to pay respect to newly ordained bhikshus (bhiksu)?' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
。又尊者迦旃延，今复作此种种呵责。我为汝等设诸方便，令比丘尼出过于彼。”作是语已，与诸四众即时往赴僧伽尸城。 尔时波斯匿王、阿阇世王及毗舍离国严炽王等，各将四兵，前后导从，有大势力，所乘象马，皆以种种宝物庄严，幡盖、香花并众妓乐，威容肃穆，状若诸天，皆亦往诣僧伽城所。 尔时优陀延王严整四兵以为侍从，乘大白象珍宝绮饰，躬自荷戴所造之像，花幡音乐随逐供养，从其本国向僧伽尸城。 尔时毗首羯磨天并诸天众，知佛将欲下阎浮提，作三道宝阶，从僧伽尸城至忉利天，其阶中道琉璃所成，两边阶道悉用黄金，足所践处布以白银，诸天七宝而为间饰。 尔时帝释遣使往诣夜摩天、兜率陀天、化乐天、他化自在天及于梵世，而告之曰：“如来不久下阎浮提。欲有供养，愿来至此！”复遣使往四天王天、大海龙王、揵闼婆、紧那罗、夜叉等众，而谓之言：“世尊今欲下阎浮提，可持所有来此供养！”时彼诸天及龙、神等闻此语已，靡不云集忉利天中。 尔时世尊在须弥山顶，与诸天众将欲下时，一切诸天前后翼从，威德炽盛，光明赫奕。如满月在空，众星共绕；如旭日初出，彩霞纷映。时佛众会，其状如是。 尔时阎浮提中，以佛威神有五种希有 现代汉语译本： 尊者迦旃延现在又这样责难。我为你们设立种种方便，让比丘尼超越他们。’说完这些话，佛陀就和四众弟子立即前往僧伽尸城（Saṃkāśya，古印度城市）。 当时，波斯匿王（Prasenajit，拘萨罗国国王）、阿阇世王（Ajātasattu，摩揭陀国国王）以及毗舍离国（Vaiśālī，古印度城市）的严炽王等，各自率领军队，前后护卫，声势浩大。他们乘坐的象和马都用各种宝物装饰，还有幡盖、香花以及各种乐器，威严庄重，如同诸天一般，也都前往僧伽尸城。 当时，优陀延王（Udayana，憍赏弥国国王）整顿军队作为侍从，乘坐用珍宝装饰的大白象，亲自顶戴自己所造的佛像，用花幡和音乐跟随供养，从他的国家前往僧伽尸城。 当时，毗首羯磨天（Viśvakarman，工巧天）和诸天众知道佛陀将要下到阎浮提（Jambudvīpa，人世间），就建造了三道宝阶，从僧伽尸城通往忉利天（Trāyastriṃśa，三十三天），中间的阶梯由琉璃构成，两边的阶梯全部用黄金制成，脚踩的地方铺设白银，用各种天界的七宝作为装饰。 当时，帝释（Indra，众神之王）派遣使者前往夜摩天（Yāmadeva，夜摩天）、兜率陀天（Tuṣita，兜率天）、化乐天（Nirmāṇarati，化乐天）、他化自在天（Paranirmita-vaśavartin，他化自在天）以及梵世（Brahma-loka，梵天界），告诉他们说：‘如来不久将下到阎浮提。想要供养的，请到这里来！’又派遣使者前往四天王天（Cāturmahārājika，四天王天）、大海龙王（Nāga-rāja，龙王）、揵闼婆（Gandharva，香神）、紧那罗（Kiṃnara，人非人）、夜叉（Yakṣa，药叉）等众，对他们说：‘世尊现在要下到阎浮提，可以把你们所有的东西拿来供养！’当时，那些天神、龙神等听到这些话后，没有不聚集到忉利天中的。 当时，世尊在须弥山顶（Sumeru，须弥山），与诸天众将要下界时，一切诸天前后簇拥，威德炽盛，光明闪耀。如同满月在空中，众星环绕；如同旭日初升，彩霞纷飞。当时佛陀的盛大集会，景象就是这样。 当时，在阎浮提中，因为佛陀的威神力，出现了五种稀有的景象。
English
English version: Moreover, Venerable Kātyāyana is now making all sorts of reproaches. I have set up various expedient means for you, so that the Bhikṣuṇīs may surpass them.' Having spoken these words, the Buddha, together with the fourfold assembly, immediately went to Saṃkāśya (an ancient Indian city). At that time, King Prasenajit (King of Kosala), King Ajātasattu (King of Magadha), and King Yamachī of Vaiśālī (an ancient Indian city), each leading their fourfold armies, guarded the front and rear, with great power. The elephants and horses they rode were adorned with various treasures, banners, canopies, incense, flowers, and various musical instruments, their demeanor solemn and dignified, like that of the gods. They all went to Saṃkāśya. At that time, King Udayana (King of Kauśāmbī) arranged his fourfold army as attendants, riding a great white elephant adorned with precious jewels, personally carrying the image he had made, with flower banners and music following in offering, from his own country towards Saṃkāśya. At that time, Viśvakarman (the celestial architect) and the assembly of gods, knowing that the Buddha was about to descend to Jambudvīpa (the human world), created three jeweled stairways, from Saṃkāśya to Trāyastriṃśa (the Heaven of Thirty-three Gods). The middle stairway was made of crystal, the stairways on both sides were made entirely of gold, the places where feet stepped were covered with silver, and the gods adorned them with the seven treasures. At that time, Indra (King of the Gods) sent messengers to Yāmadeva (the Yama Heaven), Tuṣita (the Tuṣita Heaven), Nirmāṇarati (the Heaven of Delight), Paranirmita-vaśavartin (the Heaven of Free Enjoyment of Transformations), and the Brahma-loka (the Brahma World), and told them: 'The Tathāgata will soon descend to Jambudvīpa. Those who wish to make offerings, please come here!' He also sent messengers to Cāturmahārājika (the Heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings), the Nāga-rāja (Dragon Kings of the Great Ocean), the Gandharva (celestial musicians), the Kiṃnara (half-human, half-divine beings), the Yakṣa (demons), and other beings, and said to them: 'The World-Honored One is now about to descend to Jambudvīpa, you may bring all that you have to make offerings here!' At that time, those gods, dragons, and spirits, upon hearing these words, all gathered in Trāyastriṃśa. At that time, when the World-Honored One was on the summit of Sumeru (Mount Sumeru), about to descend with the assembly of gods, all the gods surrounded him, their majestic virtue flourishing, their light blazing. Like the full moon in the sky, surrounded by stars; like the rising sun, with colorful clouds reflecting. Such was the scene of the Buddha's great assembly. At that time, in Jambudvīpa, due to the Buddha's majestic power, five rare occurrences appeared. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
之事：一者、令彼诸天不见人间不净之物；二者、令诸女人见彼天男而无欲想；三者、亦令丈夫见诸天女不生染意；四者、令于人间遥见诸天种种供养；五者、诸天之身光洁细妙，非人所睹，以佛神力显然明着，皆可得见。 尔时世尊从天初下，足蹈宝阶。梵王在右，手执白盖；帝释在左，手持白拂。其余诸天皆乘虚空，随佛而下，一时同奏种种音乐，各自捧持幢幡、宝盖，散花供养。净居天众侧塞虚空，无量百千诸天婇女，持宝珠、璎珞歌赞佛德。复有诸天于虚空中雨种种香及种种花，诸龙雨于微细香雨。于时空中净无云曀，雷声美妙，闻者喜悦。揵闼婆神、紧那罗神奏提婆那伽微妙之曲，歌赞如来本生之事。 于时阎浮提内，王及臣人并四众等，周匝遍满僧伽尸城，或散香花或持幡盖，吹螺击鼓，种种音乐向空供养，举手合掌，瞻仰于佛。人、天名花，上、下交散，缤纷而下，积至于膝。诸外道众见斯事者，咸亦发心，归依礼敬。 尔时世尊足蹈宝阶，次第而下，至于半路。四天王天即于其所，广设供养。此供殊妙，劫初已来，未曾有也！ 尔时如来受天供毕，复与大众巡阶而下，至最下级。欲践地时，其莲花色比丘尼即变其身，作转轮王，领四种兵七宝前导，从空来下疾至佛所。诸国 现代汉语译本：这些事情是：第一，让那些天人看不见人世间不干净的东西；第二，让那些女人看见天上的男子而没有情欲的想法；第三，也让丈夫们看见天上的女子不产生爱恋的念头；第四，让人间的人们远远地看见天上的各种供养；第五，天人们的身体光洁细妙，不是凡人所能看见的，凭借佛的神力，显现得清清楚楚，都可以看见。 那时，世尊从天上初次下来，脚踩在宝阶上。梵王（Brahmā，色界天之主）在右边，手里拿着白色的伞盖；帝释（Indra，欲界天之主）在左边，手里拿着白色的拂尘。其余的众天人都乘着虚空，跟随着佛陀下来，一时一同演奏各种音乐，各自捧着幢幡、宝盖，散花供养。净居天（Śuddhāvāsa，色界天的最高层）的众天人拥挤在虚空中，无数百千的天女，拿着宝珠、璎珞歌颂赞美佛的功德。又有诸天在虚空中降下各种香和各种花，诸龙降下细微的香雨。那时，空中清净没有云彩，雷声美妙，听的人都感到喜悦。揵闼婆神（Gandharva，天界的乐神）、紧那罗神（Kiṃnara，天界的歌神）演奏提婆那伽（Devanāga，天龙）微妙的乐曲，歌颂赞美如来（Tathāgata，佛的称号）往昔的生平事迹。 那时，在阎浮提（Jambudvīpa，我们所居住的这个世界）内，国王以及臣民和四众弟子等，周围遍布在僧伽尸城（Saṃkāśya，佛陀从忉利天下降的城市），有的散香花，有的拿着幡盖，吹螺击鼓，用各种音乐向空中供养，举手合掌，瞻仰佛陀。人间的和天上的名花，从上到下交错散落，缤纷而下，堆积到膝盖那么高。那些外道看见这些事情，都生起了信心，归依礼敬。 那时，世尊脚踩在宝阶上，依次下来，走到半路。四天王天（Cāturmahārājikakāyikas，欲界天的第一层）就在那里，广设供养。这种供养非常殊胜美妙，从劫初以来，从未有过啊！ 那时，如来接受了天人的供养完毕，又和大众沿着台阶下来，到最下层。将要踩到地面的时候，那位莲花色比丘尼（Utpalavarṇā，佛陀的女弟子）就变化她的身体，变成转轮王（cakravartin，统治世界的理想君王），带领四种军队和七宝在前引导，从空中下来，快速地来到佛陀所在的地方。各个国家