English
English version: Because the Bodhisattva's intention is pure, and because of the pure great vows and the accumulation of precepts, and because of the great compassion that is pure and steadfast towards all sentient beings. Because of great loving-kindness, because of the Dharma of great merit, because of firm and strong diligence directed towards the Great Vehicle, because of the purity of one's own mind, because of the abundance of great vows, and because of not delighting in one's own pleasure. If there are sentient beings who offend, disturb, revile, or scold the Bodhisattva, these beings will not fall into evil destinies because of the Bodhisattva's virtues. Kasyapa (Kasyapa, a disciple of the Buddha)! I will now use a metaphor to explain this meaning. Kasyapa! It is like a sick person, a good doctor gives him medicine, but this sick person reviles and scolds the medicine and the good doctor, first reviling and then taking the medicine. Kasyapa! What do you think? Does the medicine not work because it is reviled? Is the disease not cured?” “No, Bhagavan (Bhagavan, title of the Buddha)! Even if it is reviled and scolded, the power of the medicine is not lost and it can still cure the disease.” “Just so, Kasyapa! The Bodhisattva is like that medicine and good doctor, even if treated with disrespect and various disturbances, the Bodhisattva's pure intention will not be diminished in the slightest. Kasyapa! It is like a great precious jewel, made of many virtues, its nature is pure and it can remove all impurities. If humans and devas revile and scold this jewel and do not respect it. Kasyapa! What do you think? Does this great precious jewel lose its precious power because it is afraid of being reviled and scolded?” “No, Bhagavan!” The Buddha said: “Kasyapa! This pure precious jewel is like the Bodhisattva's pure intention, even if all sentient beings do not respect it, all the Bodhisattva's merits will not be diminished. Kasyapa! It is like a great oil lamp, even if humans and devas revile and scold it, will the lamp become dim because it is reviled and scolded?” “No, Bhagavan!” The Buddha said: “Kasyapa! The Bodhisattva's pure intention is like this, even if disturbed, it will not lose its nature. Kasyapa! For this reason, it should be known that sentient beings, even if they offend and disturb the Bodhisattva, will not fall into evil destinies. Why? Because the Bodhisattva's original vow is pure, and all the vows made can be fulfilled.” At that time, the great virtuous Mahakasyapa (Mahakasyapa, a disciple of the Buddha) said: “Bhagavan! As I understand the meaning of what the Buddha said, if one creates unwholesome karma towards the Tathagata (Tathagata, title of the Buddha), will these beings also not fear falling into evil destinies?” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
佛言：“如是迦叶！若有众生于大悲如来生信敬心、解入进趣，若佛现在、若灭度后，若有奉施如来及塔，若幢幡盖、华鬘涂香及与末香，若宝、若衣及诸饮食，随于种种所有诸物；若取、若食，若自取、若教取，迦叶！我说是人无有所犯。迦叶！贫为最苦，不恭敬故、作劫夺故、无畏惧故、不信敬故、不解业故、不虑报故、以贪求故、难调伏故、贪瞋痴故、无惭愧故、凶横恶故，不思如来有大慈悲，不信如来多利众生，取如来塔物乃至一线，若自取、若使人取，我说是人不名少犯，我不说彼不堕恶道。迦叶！若有众生于如来物及佛塔物，若自取、若教人取，如来今者悉知是人、悉见是人，当堕恶趣；又以此缘当得断结。何以故？是人心行为佛护故。迦叶！若于如来、若如来塔，生心缘念，乃至起于少许悔心，迦叶！是众生心自当改悔，以缘如来生悔心故，背弃生死一切之罪，结使微缓。迦叶！假有人天坠堕于地，堕大地已还依大地而得起住。如是迦叶！是众生等于如来所，生不善故堕在恶道，堕恶道已还缘如来速得出离。云何名为缘于如来？于如来所生殷重心”。 尔时大德迦叶白言：“世尊！是人以是恶贼之心，若能生心缘念如来尚得大利，况净心者？” 佛言：“迦叶！如汝所言，若有众生 现代汉语译本 佛说：‘迦叶，确实是这样！如果有众生对大悲如来生起信心和敬意，理解并深入，无论是佛在世时还是涅槃之后，如果有人供奉如来和佛塔，无论是幢幡宝盖、鲜花花环、涂香还是末香，无论是珍宝、衣服还是各种饮食，对于种种所有的物品；无论是自己取用还是食用，无论是自己取用还是教唆他人取用，迦叶，我说这个人没有犯任何罪过。迦叶，贫穷是最痛苦的，因为不恭敬、因为抢劫偷盗、因为没有畏惧、因为不相信不敬重、因为不了解业报、因为不考虑后果、因为贪婪索取、因为难以调伏、因为贪嗔痴、因为没有惭愧心、因为凶狠邪恶，不思念如来有大慈大悲，不相信如来能利益众生，拿取如来塔中的物品哪怕是一根线，无论是自己拿取还是指使他人拿取，我说这个人罪过不小，我不能说他不会堕入恶道。迦叶，如果有众生对于如来的物品以及佛塔的物品，无论是自己拿取还是教唆他人拿取，如来现在完全知道这个人、完全看见这个人，他应当堕入恶趣；又因为这个因缘，他应当能够断除烦恼结缚。为什么呢？因为这个人的心行是佛所护佑的缘故。迦叶，如果对于如来或者如来塔，生起心念忆念，乃至生起少许的后悔之心，迦叶，这个众生的心自然会改变悔过，因为忆念如来而生起后悔之心，就能背离生死轮回的一切罪业，烦恼结缚也会稍微松缓。迦叶，譬如有人从天上坠落到地上，坠落到大地之后还能依靠大地而站立。像这样，迦叶，这些众生因为对如来生起不善之心而堕入恶道，堕入恶道之后还能因为忆念如来而迅速得到解脱。什么叫做忆念如来呢？就是对于如来生起殷重之心。’ 当时，大德迦叶禀告佛说：‘世尊！这个人以这样恶贼的心，如果能够生起心念忆念如来尚且能够得到大利益，更何况是清净心的人呢？’ 佛说：‘迦叶，正如你所说，如果有众生……’
English
English version The Buddha said: 'So it is, Kashyapa! If there are sentient beings who generate faith and reverence towards the Tathagata (如来，one of the titles of a Buddha, meaning 'Thus Gone One' or 'Thus Come One') of Great Compassion, understanding and entering into it, whether the Buddha is present or after his Parinirvana (涅槃，the final liberation from the cycle of rebirth), if someone offers to the Tathagata and the stupa (塔，a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics), whether it be banners, canopies, flower garlands, scented paste, or powdered incense, whether it be treasures, clothing, or various foods, regarding all kinds of possessions; whether they take or eat, whether they take themselves or instruct others to take, Kashyapa! I say that this person has committed no offense. Kashyapa! Poverty is the greatest suffering, because of disrespect, because of robbery and theft, because of lack of fear, because of lack of faith and reverence, because of not understanding karmic retribution, because of not considering the consequences, because of greed, because of being difficult to tame, because of greed, anger, and delusion, because of lack of shame, because of being fierce and evil, not thinking that the Tathagata has great compassion, not believing that the Tathagata greatly benefits sentient beings, taking even a single thread from the Tathagata's stupa, whether taking it themselves or instructing others to take it, I say that this person's offense is not small, I do not say that they will not fall into evil realms. Kashyapa! If there are sentient beings who take from the Tathagata's possessions or the stupa's possessions, whether they take themselves or instruct others to take, the Tathagata now fully knows this person, fully sees this person, they should fall into evil realms; and also because of this cause, they should be able to sever the bonds of affliction. Why? Because this person's mind and actions are protected by the Buddha. Kashyapa! If towards the Tathagata or the Tathagata's stupa, they generate a thought of remembrance, even generating a little remorse, Kashyapa! This sentient being's mind will naturally change and repent, because of generating remorse due to remembering the Tathagata, they can turn away from all the sins of samsara (生死轮回，the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth), and the bonds of affliction will be slightly loosened. Kashyapa! Suppose a person falls from the heavens to the earth, and after falling to the earth, they can still rely on the earth to stand and dwell. Like this, Kashyapa! These sentient beings, because of generating unwholesome thoughts towards the Tathagata, fall into evil realms, and after falling into evil realms, they can quickly be liberated because of remembering the Tathagata. What is called remembering the Tathagata? It is generating a profound and earnest heart towards the Tathagata.' At that time, the Venerable Kashyapa said to the Buddha: 'World Honored One (世尊，an epithet of the Buddha), if this person, with such a wicked thief's mind, can still obtain great benefit by generating a thought of remembrance of the Tathagata, how much more so for those with pure minds?' The Buddha said: 'Kashyapa, as you say, if there are sentient beings...' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
起念如来、思忆如来、观缘如来，是等一切悉皆当得涅槃果证。” “大德！”迦叶白言：“世尊！如我解知佛所说义，宁于如来起不善业，非于外道邪见者所施作供养。何以故？若如来所起不善业，当有悔心，究竟必得至于涅槃；随外道见，当堕地狱、饿鬼、畜生。” 佛言：“迦叶！如汝所言。迦叶！设有人天骂赤栴檀，以手打捶速撩弃地。迦叶！于意云何？如是人者有何等香？” 迦叶白言：“而是人者有栴檀香。” “如是迦叶！若有众生眼见、耳闻及口宣说于如来者，当知是人有解脱香。迦叶！有人执把于粪污已，以诸伎乐一切众华而供养之，如是人者有何等香？” 迦叶白言：“世尊！是人唯有粪秽臭恶。” “如是迦叶！其有亲近恭敬供养诸外道者，当知是人亦复如是！有诸见畏，地狱、畜生、饿鬼等畏。迦叶！若善男子、善女人信于如来有大慈悲，殷重敬信除慢不憍，无有贪瞋及与愚痴，意志决定解知业报，质直无谄无有幻伪，于如来所得净信心，诸根无贪无有谄曲，志意不坏净信成就，信佛大悲多利众生，信佛本行信于如来，不舍一切诸众生等。有如是心有如是意，设乏于食病药所须，未得道果未入正位，若得所须，能得道果入于正位，若其不得饥渴羸劣， 现代汉语译本：‘忆念如来（Tathagata，如来），思念如来，观察因缘而念如来，像这样的一切众生都应当能够证得涅槃（Nirvana）的果位。’ 迦叶（Kasyapa）说道：‘大德！世尊！依我所理解的佛所说之义，宁可对如来生起不善之业，也不对外道邪见之人施作供养。为什么呢？如果对如来生起不善之业，尚且会有悔改之心，最终必定能够达到涅槃；而随顺外道邪见，则会堕入地狱、饿鬼、畜生道。’ 佛说：‘迦叶！正如你所说。迦叶！假若有人用手打骂赤栴檀（red sandalwood），并迅速将其丢弃在地。迦叶！你认为如何？这样的人身上会有什么香气？’ 迦叶回答说：‘这样的人身上仍然会有栴檀的香气。’ ‘正是这样，迦叶！如果众生用眼睛看到、用耳朵听到、用口宣说如来，应当知道这个人身上有解脱的香气。迦叶！如果有人拿着粪便污秽之物，却用各种伎乐和鲜花来供养它，这样的人身上会有什么香气？’ 迦叶回答说：‘世尊！这样的人身上只有粪便的臭味。’ ‘正是这样，迦叶！如果有人亲近、恭敬、供养各种外道，应当知道这个人也是如此！他会有各种对恶道的恐惧，例如地狱、畜生、饿鬼等的畏惧。迦叶！如果善男子、善女人相信如来有大慈悲，殷勤恭敬地信奉，去除傲慢不骄傲，没有贪婪、嗔恨以及愚痴，意志坚定地了解业报，正直没有谄媚，没有虚幻伪装，对如来获得清净的信心，诸根没有贪婪没有谄曲，意志不被破坏，清净的信心得以成就，相信佛的大悲能够利益众生，相信佛的本行，相信如来不会舍弃一切众生。有这样的心，有这样的意念，即使缺乏食物和医药等所需之物，尚未证得道果，尚未进入正位，如果能够得到所需之物，就能证得道果，进入正位；如果得不到所需之物，就会因为饥渴而变得虚弱。’
English
English version: 'To generate thoughts of the Tathagata (如来, Thus Come One), to contemplate and remember the Tathagata, to observe the conditions and contemplate the Tathagata, all beings like these shall attain the fruit of Nirvana (涅槃, liberation).' Kasyapa (迦叶, one of the principal disciples of the Buddha) said: 'Great Virtue! World Honored One! As I understand the meaning of what the Buddha has said, it is better to generate unwholesome karma towards the Tathagata than to make offerings to those with heretical views. Why? If one generates unwholesome karma towards the Tathagata, one will have remorse and ultimately attain Nirvana; but following heretical views, one will fall into hell, the realm of hungry ghosts, and the realm of animals.' The Buddha said: 'Kasyapa! It is as you say. Kasyapa! Suppose someone were to scold and beat red sandalwood (赤栴檀, a type of fragrant wood) and quickly throw it on the ground. Kasyapa! What do you think? What kind of fragrance would such a person have?' Kasyapa replied: 'That person would still have the fragrance of sandalwood.' 'Just so, Kasyapa! If beings see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and speak with their mouths about the Tathagata, know that such a person has the fragrance of liberation. Kasyapa! If someone holds onto filth and excrement and offers it with various musical instruments and flowers, what kind of fragrance would such a person have?' Kasyapa replied: 'World Honored One! That person would only have the foul odor of excrement.' 'Just so, Kasyapa! If someone associates with, respects, and makes offerings to various heretics, know that such a person is the same! They will have various fears of evil destinies, such as fear of hell, the animal realm, and the realm of hungry ghosts. Kasyapa! If a good man or good woman believes in the great compassion of the Tathagata, reverently and sincerely believes, removes arrogance and is not conceited, is without greed, hatred, and ignorance, firmly understands the retribution of karma, is honest without flattery, is without illusion and falsehood, obtains pure faith in the Tathagata, the senses are without greed and without crookedness, the will is not destroyed, pure faith is accomplished, believes that the Buddha's great compassion benefits all beings, believes in the Buddha's fundamental practices, believes that the Tathagata does not abandon all beings. With such a mind, with such intentions, even if lacking food, medicine, and other necessities, not yet having attained the fruit of the path, not yet having entered the right position, if they can obtain what they need, they can attain the fruit of the path and enter the right position; if they cannot obtain what they need, they will become weak from hunger and thirst.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------