English
English version The jackal (Yakan, used here as a metaphor) replied: 'First is giving (Dāna), to break the mind of stinginess, without any reluctance. Second is guarding goodness (Śīla), not doing evil. Third is being able to endure when encountering evil things, without harboring thoughts of revenge. Fourth is diligently practicing the path, without being lazy or retreating. Fifth is collecting one's mind, not having wrong thoughts. Sixth is cultivating wisdom (Prajñā), illuminating and eliminating the darkness of afflictions and ignorance. This is what is called the Six Perfections (Ṣaṭpāramitā). The power of skillful means of the Six Perfections can subdue the senses. There are also four things that can subdue the senses. What are the four things? First is loving-kindness (Maitrī), second is compassion (Karuṇā), third is joy (Muditā), and fourth is equanimity (Upekṣā). These four things are called the Four Immeasurables (Caturapramāṇa).' The Deva (Heavenly being) asked: 'How does one practice loving-kindness?' The jackal replied: 'When seeing people in distress and hardship, one should generate loving-kindness, provide them with help and protection, so that they can all be properly settled. What is compassion? Seeing all beings, because of ignorance and attachment, creating the karma of birth and death, suffering in the five realms (Gati), unable to free themselves, therefore I should not be lazy today, I should diligently and vigorously cultivate wisdom, quickly achieve Buddhahood (Buddhahood), and after attaining Buddhahood, I should use the light of wisdom to illuminate and eliminate the darkness of ignorance of sentient beings, so that they can see the great light and be freed from the bonds of all suffering; even if I have not yet become a Buddha, all the good deeds that I do, I dedicate to sentient beings, so that they can obtain peace and happiness, and I am willing to bear the sins committed by sentient beings on their behalf. This is called compassion. What is joy? If you see people cultivating good deeds, seeking the fruits of the Three Vehicles (Triyāna), encourage and help them and rejoice with them; when you see people enjoying happiness, your heart also rejoices with them; when you see people with handsome appearances, when you see brave and strong people, when you see rich and noble people, when you see wise people, when you see kind people, when you see filial people, in short, encourage, help and rejoice with all good people. This is called joy. What is equanimity? All the merits that are done, bestowing kindness on people, without expecting present rewards, without expecting rewards in the next life, without expecting rewards in the future. This is called equanimity. Accomplishing these four things is called the Four Immeasurables. Because sentient beings are immeasurable, loving-kindness is also immeasurable; because sentient beings are immeasurable, compassion is also immeasurable; because sentient beings are immeasurable, joy is also immeasurable; because sentient beings are immeasurable, equanimity is also immeasurable. Therefore, it is called the Four Immeasurables.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
心。连前六度，名十波罗蜜。十波罗蜜总摄一切菩萨道行。’ “时天帝释闻野干说十善行法功德因缘，复闻菩萨行菩提道因缘义趣，疑网结解，欢喜踊跃充遍其身，即与八万侍从诸天，更起修敬，叉手合掌白野干曰：‘弟子今日，八万诸天一心同时发菩提心。如和上说菩萨道行，当具奉行。唯愿和上，随喜听许。’野干答曰：‘宜知是时，斯则是其本心所望。’ “于是天帝白野干曰：‘和上饮食，法用云何？唯愿教示，当设供养。’野干答曰：‘其所食法，不中人闻。何以故？罪业因缘，所食之物极是不净，形似畜生，不异饿鬼，幸可不须问其所食物。’天帝白曰：‘和上饮食，好亦当示，恶亦当语，弟子今当随所便宜施设供养。’野干答曰：‘常食师子虎狼屎尿，及食冢间死人骸骨、弊衣皮革，脱不能得如斯之食，饥穷所逼亦食泥土。罪苦果报，从生至死虽食不净，未曾充饱。’ “时天帝释及诸天众，闻野干说饮食之相，悲哀感结，涕泪伤心，白野干曰：‘弟子现欲施设供养，如师言者，所愿不果，非可如何。今还天宫，当作何方报师重恩？’野干答曰：‘汝等今者从我闻法，还于天上展转教化开悟诸天，不问男女乃至一人令信受行，非但报我亦报一切诸佛之恩，随所教化而自增长诸天福 现代汉语译本：‘心，连同之前的六度，称为十波罗蜜（Ten Perfections）。十波罗蜜总括了一切菩萨（Bodhisattva）的道行。’ ‘当时，天帝释（Śakra Devānām Indra）听到野干（jackal）宣说十善行法（ten wholesome actions）的功德因缘，又听到菩萨行菩提道（Bodhi path）的因缘义趣，疑虑和迷惑解开，欢喜踊跃充满全身，立即与八万侍从诸天，更加恭敬，叉手合掌对野干说：‘弟子今日，八万诸天一心同时发菩提心（Bodhicitta）。如和上（Upadhyaya，亲教师）所说菩萨道行，当全部奉行。唯愿和上，随喜听许。’野干回答说：‘应当知道这是时候了，这正是我的本心所期望的。’ ‘于是天帝（Śakra）问野干说：‘和上饮食，法用如何？唯愿教示，当设供养。’野干回答说：‘我所食用的东西，不适合让人听闻。为什么呢？因为罪业因缘，所食之物极其不净，形状像畜生，不异于饿鬼，希望可以不必问我所食物。’天帝说：‘和上饮食，好的也应当告诉我，坏的也应当告诉我，弟子现在应当随方便来施设供养。’野干回答说：‘我常吃狮子、老虎、豺狼的屎尿，以及吃坟墓间的死人骸骨、破烂衣服和皮革，如果不能得到这样的食物，饥饿贫困所逼迫时也吃泥土。罪苦果报，从生到死虽然吃不净之物，却从未吃饱。’ ‘当时，天帝释（Śakra Devānām Indra）及诸天众，听到野干（jackal）说饮食的状况，悲哀感动，涕泪伤心，对野干说：‘弟子现在想要施设供养，如您所说，所愿不能实现，无可奈何。现在返回天宫，应当用什么方法报答您的深重恩德？’野干回答说：‘你们现在从我这里听闻佛法，回到天上辗转教化开悟诸天，不论男女乃至一人，令其信受奉行，不只是报答我，也是报答一切诸佛的恩德，随着你们所教化的人数，你们诸天的福报也会自然增长。’
English
English version: ‘The mind, together with the preceding six perfections, is called the Ten Pāramitās (Ten Perfections). The Ten Pāramitās encompass all the practices of the Bodhisattva (Enlightenment Being) path.’ ‘At that time, Śakra Devānām Indra (Lord of the Devas) heard the jackal (wild dog) expounding the merits and causes of the ten wholesome actions, and also heard the meaning and purpose of the Bodhisattva's practice of the Bodhi path (path to enlightenment). His doubts and confusion were resolved, and joy and elation filled his entire being. Immediately, together with eighty thousand attendant devas (gods), he rose up with even greater reverence, folded his hands and palms together, and said to the jackal: ‘Today, your disciples, eighty thousand devas, with one mind and at the same time, generate Bodhicitta (the mind of enlightenment). As the Upadhyaya (preceptor) has spoken of the Bodhisattva's practices, we shall fully carry them out. We only wish that the Upadhyaya will rejoice and permit us.’ The jackal replied: ‘You should know that this is the time, and this is exactly what my original intention hoped for.’ ‘Thereupon, Śakra (Lord of the Devas) asked the jackal: ‘Upadhyaya, what is the method of your diet and sustenance? We beseech you to instruct us, so that we may prepare offerings.’ The jackal replied: ‘What I eat is not fit for human ears. Why? Because of karmic causes, what I eat is extremely impure, resembling livestock, no different from hungry ghosts. I hope you will not ask about what I eat.’ Śakra said: ‘Upadhyaya, you should tell us both the good and the bad of your diet. Your disciples should now make offerings according to what is convenient.’ The jackal replied: ‘I often eat the excrement and urine of lions, tigers, and wolves, as well as the bones of dead people in tombs, tattered clothes, and leather. If I cannot obtain such food, I also eat mud when driven by hunger and poverty. Due to the retribution of sinful suffering, from birth to death, although I eat impure things, I have never been full.’ ‘At that time, Śakra Devānām Indra (Lord of the Devas) and all the devas (gods), hearing the jackal (wild dog) describe his diet, were filled with sorrow and emotion, and wept with grief. They said to the jackal: ‘Your disciples now wish to make offerings, but as you have said, our wish cannot be fulfilled, and there is nothing we can do. Now we return to the heavenly palace. What method should we use to repay your profound kindness?’ The jackal replied: ‘Now that you have heard the Dharma (teachings) from me, return to the heavens and propagate and enlighten the devas, whether male or female, even just one person, causing them to believe and practice it. This is not only repaying me, but also repaying the kindness of all the Buddhas. As the number of people you teach increases, the blessings of you devas will naturally increase.’ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
德，何况教化开悟多人，功报无量。’诸天起立，白野干曰：‘弟子之徒今还天宫，未审和上何时当舍此罪报身得生天堂共相见也？’野干答曰：‘限至七日，当舍罪身生兜率天，汝等便可愿生彼天。何以故？兜率天中多有菩萨说法教化，为诸天人求佛道故。’ “天帝白曰：‘如尊教者，弟子眷属于忉利天福尽命终，皆应生彼兜率陀天，与师相见奉持教授，誓如今也。’说是语已，以天花香散野干上，于是别去。 “诸天去已，于时野干不离本坐，一心专念十善行法，不行求食。七日命终生兜率天，为天王子，复识宿命，复以十善教化诸天。” 佛告王曰：“尔时野干，即我身是。时天帝释，舍利弗是。时阿逸多教授大师忧波达者，弥勒是也。八万诸天者，今娑婆国土八万菩萨不退者是。” 佛言：“大王！忆念往昔从初发意修菩提行乃至无生，于其中间，常与弥勒、舍利弗等为求法故勤加精进，不顾躯命追逐明师，亲近奉侍，研精学问，成就智慧。智慧力故，于五道中随所生处，教化成就无量众生令得度苦。至今成佛，皆由波若智慧方便，断除一切结习因缘，成等正觉。复以智慧，于娑婆国土教化众生，度三有苦。是故我说波若智慧，有四名义。” 时波斯匿王及其眷属，闻佛说 现代汉语译本：‘何况教化开悟更多的人，功德回报更是无量无边。’众天神站起身来，对野干说：‘弟子们的同伴现在要返回天宫了，不知和上您何时才能舍弃这罪报之身，得生天堂与我们相见呢？’野干回答说：‘期限是七日，我将舍弃这罪报之身，往生兜率天，你们也可以发愿往生彼天。为什么呢？因为兜率天中有很多菩萨说法教化，为了诸天人求取佛道。’ 天帝释（Śakra devānām Indra）禀告说：‘如您所教导的，弟子及眷属在忉利天（Trāyastriṃśa）福报享尽命终之后，都应当往生兜率陀天（Tuṣita），与师父相见，奉持您的教诲，誓愿如同今日。’说完这些话后，用天花香散在野干身上，于是告别离去。 众天神离去后，当时的野干不离开原来的座位，一心专念十善行法，不去寻求食物。七日后命终，往生兜率天，成为天王子，又能忆起宿命，又以十善教化诸天。 佛陀告诉波斯匿王（Prasenajit）说：‘当时的野干，就是我的前身。当时的天帝释，就是舍利弗（Śāriputra）的前身。当时的阿逸多（Ajita）教授大师优波达（Upada），就是弥勒（Maitreya）的前身。那八万诸天，就是现在娑婆国土（Sahā）的八万不退转菩萨。’ 佛陀说：‘大王！回忆往昔从最初发心修行菩提道（bodhi）直至证得无生法忍（anutpāda-dharma-kṣānti），在这期间，我常与弥勒、舍利弗等为了求法而勤加精进，不顾惜身躯性命，追随明师，亲近奉侍，研精学问，成就智慧。凭借智慧的力量，在五道（pañca-gatayaḥ）中无论生于何处，教化成就无量众生，使他们得以脱离痛苦。至今我能成就佛果，都是由于般若（prajñā）智慧的方便，断除一切烦恼习气因缘，成就等正觉（samyak-saṃbuddha）。又以智慧，在这娑婆国土教化众生，度脱三有（tri-bhava）之苦。所以我说般若智慧，有四种名义。’ 当时，波斯匿王及其眷属，听闻佛陀所说。
English
English version: 'Moreover, to teach and enlighten even more people, the merit and reward are immeasurable.' The devas (gods) stood up and said to the jackal: 'The disciples and companions are now returning to the heavenly palace. We do not know when Venerable Sir will relinquish this body of karmic retribution and be reborn in heaven to meet with us?' The jackal replied: 'The limit is seven days. I will relinquish this body of karmic retribution and be reborn in Tuṣita Heaven (Tuṣita), you may also aspire to be reborn there. Why? Because in Tuṣita Heaven, there are many Bodhisattvas teaching the Dharma (law), for the sake of all devas and humans seeking the Buddha path.' Śakra devānām Indra (Heavenly Emperor) reported: 'As you have taught, after the disciples and their families in Trāyastriṃśa Heaven (Trāyastriṃśa) have exhausted their blessings and their lives come to an end, they should all be reborn in Tuṣita Heaven (Tuṣita), meet with the teacher, uphold your teachings, and vow as today.' After saying these words, he scattered heavenly flowers and incense on the jackal, and then bid farewell and left. After the devas left, the jackal at that time did not leave his original seat, wholeheartedly focused on the ten wholesome practices, and did not seek food. After seven days, his life ended, and he was reborn in Tuṣita Heaven, becoming a heavenly prince, and he could also remember his past lives, and he taught the devas with the ten wholesome practices. The Buddha told King Prasenajit (Prasenajit): 'The jackal at that time was my past life. The Śakra devānām Indra (Heavenly Emperor) at that time was Śāriputra's (Śāriputra) past life. The Ajita (Ajita) professor Upada (Upada) at that time was Maitreya's (Maitreya) past life. The eighty thousand devas were the eighty thousand non-retreating Bodhisattvas in the Sahā (Sahā) world now.' The Buddha said: 'Great King! Recall in the past, from the initial aspiration to cultivate the Bodhi path (bodhi) until attaining the Anutpāda-dharma-kṣānti (non-origination of phenomena), during this period, I often worked diligently with Maitreya, Śāriputra, and others for the sake of seeking the Dharma, not caring for my body and life, pursuing enlightened teachers, closely serving them, studying diligently, and achieving wisdom. By the power of wisdom, in the five realms (pañca-gatayaḥ), wherever I was born, I taught and accomplished immeasurable sentient beings, enabling them to escape suffering. To this day, I have attained Buddhahood, all due to the skillful means of Prajñā (prajñā) wisdom, cutting off all afflictions and habitual tendencies, and attaining Samyak-saṃbuddha (perfect enlightenment). Again, with wisdom, I teach sentient beings in this Sahā world, delivering them from the suffering of the three realms of existence (tri-bhava). Therefore, I say that Prajñā wisdom has four meanings.' At that time, King Prasenajit and his retinue heard what the Buddha said. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------