Chinese
？若善男子发于信心出家学道，所愿不久悉得成就？’舍利弗！以是因缘，有如是等无量大众而来聚集。” 舍利弗言：“今正是时，唯愿如来分别演说如是之义。” 佛告舍利弗：“我今若说如是义者，多有无量百千众生心生疑惑。何以故？是诸大龙神通道力不可思议；是诸师子无所畏吼亦不可思议；是诸大人所有法界亦不可思议。舍利弗！诸佛世尊所有法界不可思议，一切凡夫、声闻、缘觉不能信解。舍利弗！如来见是诸因缘故，默然不说。” 时，舍利弗乃至三请，如来默然亦不许可。时，舍利弗复白佛言：“世尊！是大众中，已有无量无边比丘、比丘尼、优婆塞、优婆夷，诸天、龙、神、乾闼婆、阿修罗、迦楼罗、紧那罗、摩睺罗伽、人非人等，久于佛所心生净信，唯愿如来哀愍如是诸众生等，分别演说如是之义。”复于佛前而说偈言： “善哉无上尊！ 惟愿垂哀愍， 广为诸菩萨， 善说顶功德。 有诸众生等， 深愿求菩提， 已于是法中， 生厚善欲心。” 尔时，佛告舍利弗：“菩萨摩诃萨应受一切诸天、世人、阿修罗、迦楼罗、紧那罗、摩睺罗伽、人非人等恭敬供养。舍利弗！菩萨摩诃萨不毕报施恩。何以故？舍利弗！菩萨摩诃萨本已清净毕报施故。 现代汉语译本：‘如果善男子发起信心出家学道，所希望的事情不久都能全部成就吗？’舍利弗（智慧第一）：因为这个因缘，才有这样无量的大众前来聚集。 舍利弗（智慧第一）说：‘现在正是时候，希望如来（佛的称号）分别演说这样的意义。’ 佛告诉舍利弗（智慧第一）：‘我现在如果说这样的意义，会有很多无量百千的众生心中产生疑惑。为什么呢？因为这些大龙神（护法神）的通道力量不可思议；这些狮子的无所畏惧的吼声也不可思议；这些大人的所有法界也不可思议。舍利弗（智慧第一）！诸佛世尊（对佛的尊称）的所有法界不可思议，一切凡夫、声闻（听闻佛法而悟道者）、缘觉（通过观察因缘而觉悟者）不能相信和理解。舍利弗（智慧第一）！如来（佛的称号）看到这些因缘的缘故，所以默然不说。’ 当时，舍利弗（智慧第一）乃至三次请求，如来（佛的称号）默然也不允许。当时，舍利弗（智慧第一）又对佛说：‘世尊（对佛的尊称）！在这大众中，已经有无量无边的比丘（出家男众）、比丘尼（出家女众）、优婆塞（在家男众）、优婆夷（在家女众），诸天（天神）、龙（护法神）、神（护法神）、乾闼婆（天上的乐神）、阿修罗（一种神道生物，有时被认为是恶神）、迦楼罗（一种大鹏金翅鸟）、紧那罗（天上的乐神，与乾闼婆类似）、摩睺罗伽（一种大蟒神）、人非人等，长久以来在佛这里心中产生清净的信心，希望如来（佛的称号）怜悯这些众生，分别演说这样的意义。’又在佛前说了偈语： ‘善哉无上尊（对佛的尊称）！ 惟愿垂哀愍， 广为诸菩萨（觉悟的有情）， 善说顶功德。 有诸众生等， 深愿求菩提（觉悟）， 已于是法中， 生厚善欲心。’ 这时，佛告诉舍利弗（智慧第一）：‘菩萨摩诃萨（大菩萨）应该接受一切诸天（天神）、世人、阿修罗（一种神道生物，有时被认为是恶神）、迦楼罗（一种大鹏金翅鸟）、紧那罗（天上的乐神，与乾闼婆类似）、摩睺罗伽（一种大蟒神）、人非人等的恭敬供养。舍利弗（智慧第一）！菩萨摩诃萨（大菩萨）不会完全报答所施的恩惠。为什么呢？舍利弗（智慧第一）！菩萨摩诃萨（大菩萨）本来就已经清净地完全报答了所施的恩惠的缘故。’
English
English version: ‘If a virtuous man develops faith and leaves home to study the Way, will all his wishes soon be fulfilled?’ Shariputra (Wisdom foremost)! It is because of this cause and condition that such an immeasurable multitude has come to gather. Shariputra (Wisdom foremost) said: ‘Now is the right time. May the Tathagata (an epithet of the Buddha) separately expound on such meaning.’ The Buddha told Shariputra (Wisdom foremost): ‘If I were to speak of such meaning now, many hundreds of thousands of immeasurable beings would give rise to doubt in their minds. Why is that? It is because the spiritual powers of these great dragon spirits (Dharma protectors) are inconceivable; the fearless roars of these lions are also inconceivable; the Dharma realms possessed by these great beings are also inconceivable. Shariputra (Wisdom foremost)! The Dharma realms possessed by all Buddhas, World Honored Ones (an epithet of the Buddha), are inconceivable; all ordinary beings, Sravakas (hearers of the Buddha's teachings who attain enlightenment), and Pratyekabuddhas (those who attain enlightenment through their own efforts) cannot believe or understand them. Shariputra (Wisdom foremost)! The Tathagata (an epithet of the Buddha) sees these causes and conditions, and therefore remains silent and does not speak.’ At that time, Shariputra (Wisdom foremost) requested even three times, but the Tathagata (an epithet of the Buddha) remained silent and did not permit it. At that time, Shariputra (Wisdom foremost) again said to the Buddha: ‘World Honored One (an epithet of the Buddha)! Among this great assembly, there are already immeasurable and boundless Bhikshus (monks), Bhikshunis (nuns), Upasakas (male lay devotees), Upasikas (female lay devotees), Devas (gods), Dragons (Dharma protectors), Spirits (Dharma protectors), Gandharvas (celestial musicians), Asuras (a type of demigod, sometimes considered evil), Garudas (a large mythical bird), Kinnaras (celestial musicians, similar to Gandharvas), Mahoragas (a type of serpent deity), humans and non-humans, who have long generated pure faith in their minds at the Buddha's place. May the Tathagata (an epithet of the Buddha) have compassion on these beings and separately expound on such meaning.’ Then, in front of the Buddha, he spoke the following verse: ‘Excellent, unsurpassed Honored One (an epithet of the Buddha)! May you bestow your compassion, Widely for all Bodhisattvas (enlightenment beings), Skillfully explain the merits of the crown of the head. There are beings, Deeply wishing to seek Bodhi (enlightenment), Already in this Dharma, Generating a deep and virtuous desire.’ At that time, the Buddha told Shariputra (Wisdom foremost): ‘Bodhisattva Mahasattvas (great Bodhisattvas) should receive the respectful offerings of all Devas (gods), people of the world, Asuras (a type of demigod, sometimes considered evil), Garudas (a large mythical bird), Kinnaras (celestial musicians, similar to Gandharvas), Mahoragas (a type of serpent deity), humans and non-humans. Shariputra (Wisdom foremost)! Bodhisattva Mahasattvas (great Bodhisattvas) do not completely repay the kindness bestowed. Why is that? Shariputra (Wisdom foremost)! It is because Bodhisattva Mahasattvas (great Bodhisattvas) have already purely and completely repaid the kindness bestowed.’ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
舍利弗！假使菩萨摩诃萨日日受取一切众生所施衣食，一一众生所施之食抟如须弥，一一衣服覆四天下，一日之中受一切众生如是衣、食，亦能清净毕报施恩。何以故？舍利弗！是诸菩萨于众生中最是福田，应受世间之供养者。舍利弗！汝见世间大富之人，多有珍宝——金、银、琉璃、颇梨、真珠、车𤦲、马瑙，种种之物柔软敷具，所谓刹利大姓、婆罗门大姓、居士大家、粟散小王、转轮圣帝七宝成就人中自在；若四天王、三十三天释提桓因、焰摩天子、兜率天子、化乐天子、他化自在天子；梵自在天王及余色、无色界诸天；若须陀洹果、斯陀含果、阿那含果、阿罗汉果、辟支佛果；若阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。舍利弗！如是等众，皆由菩萨教化因缘出现于世。何以故？舍利弗！菩萨摩诃萨发心行于菩提之道，次当得佛、成阿耨多罗三藐三菩提；成已，复当转于法轮；一切世间若沙门、婆罗门及梵天王、魔王波旬所不能转。 “尔时，当有无量众生闻是法已，当得须陀洹果、斯陀含果、阿那含果、阿罗汉果、发缘觉心。有发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心，闻说布施则勤修行，以施因缘生刹利大姓、婆罗门大姓、居士大家，若小王家、转轮圣帝七宝具足人中自在。闻说持戒则便坚持，以是因缘生四天王、三十三天、炎摩天、 现代汉语译本： 舍利弗（Śāriputra，佛陀十大弟子之一）！ 假使菩萨摩诃萨（Bodhisattva-mahāsattva，大菩萨）每天接受所有众生所布施的衣食，每一个众生所布施的食物都大如须弥山（Sumeru，佛教宇宙观中的圣山），每一件衣服都能覆盖四大部洲（catu-dvīpa，指整个世界），一天之中接受所有众生如此多的衣食，也能清净地完成报答施恩的责任。为什么呢？舍利弗！这些菩萨在众生之中是最殊胜的福田（puṇya-kṣetra，指能带来福报的场所或对象），应当接受世间的供养。舍利弗！你看到世间大富之人，多有珍宝——金、银、琉璃、颇梨（sphatika，水晶）、真珠、车磲（śaṅkha，一种贝壳）、玛瑙，各种各样的柔软敷具，比如刹帝利（kṣatriya，古印度社会阶层，指武士和统治者）大姓、婆罗门（brāhmaṇa，古印度社会阶层，指祭司）大姓、居士大家、小国王、转轮圣王（cakravartin，理想的统治者）七宝成就，在人间自在；或者四大天王（Caturmahārājakāyikas，佛教护法神）、三十三天（Trāyastriṃśa，欲界六天之一）的释提桓因（Śakra devānām indra，帝释天）、焰摩天子（Yama，夜摩天）、兜率天子（Tuṣita，兜率天）、化乐天子（Nirmāṇarati，化乐天）、他化自在天子（Paranirmita-vaśavartin，他化自在天）；梵自在天王（Brahmā，大梵天）以及其余色界（Rūpadhātu，佛教三界之一，指色界天）和无色界（Arūpadhātu，佛教三界之一，指无色界天）诸天；或者须陀洹果（Srotaāpanna，预流果）、斯陀含果（Sakṛdāgāmin，一来果）、阿那含果（Anāgāmin，不来果）、阿罗汉果（Arhat，无学果）、辟支佛果（Pratyekabuddha，缘觉）；或者阿耨多罗三藐三菩提（anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi，无上正等正觉）。舍利弗！像这样的众生，都是由于菩萨教化引导的因缘才出现在世间的。为什么呢？舍利弗！菩萨摩诃萨发心修行菩提之道，将来必定成佛，成就阿耨多罗三藐三菩提；成就之后，又将转动法轮（dharma-cakra，佛法），一切世间的沙门（śramaṇa，出家修行者）、婆罗门以及梵天王、魔王波旬（Māra Pāpīyas，佛教中的魔王）都无法转动。 ‘那时，当有无量众生听闻这些佛法之后，将证得须陀洹果、斯陀含果、阿那含果、阿罗汉果，发起缘觉之心。有人发起阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心，听闻布施的教导就勤奋修行，以布施的因缘转生为刹帝利大姓、婆罗门大姓、居士大家，或者小国王家、转轮圣王七宝具足，在人间自在。听闻持戒的教导就坚持奉行，因此因缘转生为四大天王、三十三天、炎摩天（Yāmadeva，夜摩天），
English
English version: Śāriputra (one of the ten principal disciples of the Buddha)! Suppose a Bodhisattva-mahāsattva (Great Bodhisattva) were to receive daily the clothing and food offered by all sentient beings, with each sentient being's offering of food being as large as Mount Sumeru (the sacred mountain in Buddhist cosmology), and each piece of clothing covering the four continents (catu-dvīpa, referring to the entire world). Even if they were to receive such clothing and food from all sentient beings in a single day, they could still purify and completely repay the kindness of the donors. Why is that? Śāriputra! These Bodhisattvas are the most supreme fields of merit (puṇya-kṣetra, a place or object that generates merit) among sentient beings and are worthy of worldly offerings. Śāriputra! You see the wealthy people in the world, who possess many treasures—gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal (sphatika), pearls, conch shells (śaṅkha), agate, and various kinds of soft furnishings. Such as great families of Kshatriyas (the warrior and ruling class in ancient India), great families of Brahmins (the priestly class in ancient India), wealthy householders, petty kings, and Wheel-Turning Sage Emperors (cakravartin, the ideal ruler) who are endowed with the seven treasures and are at ease in the human realm; or the Four Heavenly Kings (Caturmahārājakāyikas, Buddhist guardian deities), Śakra devānām indra (Indra, ruler of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven), the Yama Heaven, the Tuṣita Heaven, the Nirmāṇarati Heaven, the Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven; Brahmā (the Great Brahma King) and other deities of the Form Realm (Rūpadhātu, one of the three realms in Buddhism) and the Formless Realm (Arūpadhātu, one of the three realms in Buddhism); or the fruit of Srotaāpanna (Stream-enterer), the fruit of Sakṛdāgāmin (Once-returner), the fruit of Anāgāmin (Non-returner), the fruit of Arhat (Worthy One), the fruit of Pratyekabuddha (Solitary Buddha); or anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi (Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment). Śāriputra! Such beings appear in the world due to the causal conditions of the Bodhisattvas' teachings and guidance. Why is that? Śāriputra! The Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas, having generated the aspiration for Bodhi, will certainly attain Buddhahood and achieve anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi in the future. Having attained it, they will then turn the Dharma wheel (dharma-cakra, the Buddhist teachings), which cannot be turned by any śramaṇa (wandering ascetics), Brahmin, Brahmā, or Māra Pāpīyas (the demon king in Buddhism) in the entire world. ‘At that time, countless beings, having heard these teachings, will attain the fruit of Srotaāpanna, the fruit of Sakṛdāgāmin, the fruit of Anāgāmin, the fruit of Arhat, and generate the mind of a Pratyekabuddha. Some will generate the mind of anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi, and upon hearing the teachings on generosity, they will diligently practice it. Through the cause of generosity, they will be reborn into great families of Kshatriyas, great families of Brahmins, wealthy householders, or the families of petty kings, or as Wheel-Turning Sage Emperors endowed with the seven treasures, at ease in the human realm. Upon hearing the teachings on upholding precepts, they will firmly adhere to them, and through this cause, they will be reborn as the Four Heavenly Kings, in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, the Yama Heaven, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
兜术天、化乐天、他化自在天。闻说四无量心随顺修行，以是因缘生于色界。闻四空定随顺行之，以是因缘生无色界。舍利弗！以是义故，当知皆由菩萨因缘，一切善法出现于世。 “舍利弗！譬如阿耨达多龙王福德力故，其池流出四大河水——东方恒河、南方辛头、西方博叉、北方私陀——此四大河流出四方，投四大海。恒河眷属具五百河入于东海；辛头眷属具五百河入于南海；博叉眷属具五百河入于西海；私陀眷属具五百河入于北海。舍利弗！于意云何？此四大河流出四方，次第入于四大海中，于此四方为能利益诸众生不？” 舍利弗言：“世尊！实大利益无量众生，所谓飞鸟走兽、人与非人。”舍利弗言：“世尊！近此河边有诸稻麦粟豆诸田亦得润渍。如是诸田多获谷麦，复能利益无量众生，所谓飞鸟走兽、人非人等。” “舍利弗！于意云何？是四大海由何而有？” 舍利弗言：“世尊！是四大海皆由四河。” 佛复告舍利弗：“于意云何？是四大海于诸众生有利益不？” 舍利弗言：“如是。世尊！是海实能利益无量无边众生，谓水陆性、水性众生，谓大小鱼、走兽、摩罗、龟鳖、虾蟆、鹅雁、鸳鸯，亦为其余无量无边水性之属而作窟穴。” “舍利弗！如是 现代汉语译本： 兜率天（Tusita，欲界天之一，弥勒菩萨所在），化乐天（Nirmanarati，欲界第六天），他化自在天（Paranirmita-vasavartin，欲界最高天）。听闻宣说四无量心（慈、悲、喜、舍）并随顺修行，以这样的因缘可以往生到**（指前述诸天）。听闻四空定（四种无色界禅定）并随顺修行，以这样的因缘可以往生到无**（指无色界天）。舍利弗（Sariputra，佛陀十大弟子之一）！因为这个缘故，应当知道一切善法都是由于菩萨的因缘才出现在世间。 ‘舍利弗！譬如阿耨达多龙王（Anavatapta，传说中的龙王）因为福德的力量，它的池中流出四大河水——东方恒河（Ganga）、南方辛头河（Sindhu）、西方博叉河（Vaksu）、北方私陀河（Sita）——这四大河流向四方，注入四大海。恒河的眷属带着五百条河流入东海；辛头河的眷属带着五百条河流入南海；博叉河的眷属带着五百条河流入西海；私陀河的眷属带着五百条河流入北海。舍利弗！你认为怎么样？这四大河流向四方，依次流入四大海中，对于这四方来说，能够利益众生吗？’ 舍利弗回答说：‘世尊！确实能大利益无量众生，包括飞鸟走兽、人和非人。’舍利弗说：‘世尊！靠近这些河边的稻麦粟豆等田地也能得到滋润。这样，这些田地就能获得丰收，又能利益无量众生，包括飞鸟走兽、人和非人等。’ ‘舍利弗！你认为怎么样？这四大海是由什么而来的？’ 舍利弗回答说：‘世尊！这四大海都是由四条大河而来。’ 佛陀又告诉舍利弗：‘你认为怎么样？这四大海对于众生有利益吗？’ 舍利弗回答说：‘是的，世尊！这大海确实能够利益无量无边的众生，包括水陆两栖的生物和水生生物，比如大小鱼类、走兽、摩罗（Makara，海中似鱼的大动物）、龟鳖、虾蟆、鹅雁、鸳鸯，也为其他无量无边的水生动物提供了栖息之所。’ ‘舍利弗！就像这样’