English
English version: Tusita Heaven (one of the heavens in the Desire Realm, where Maitreya Bodhisattva resides), Nirmanarati Heaven (the sixth heaven in the Desire Realm), Paranirmita-vasavartin Heaven (the highest heaven in the Desire Realm). Having heard the exposition of the Four Immeasurable Minds (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity) and practicing accordingly, one is reborn in ** (referring to the aforementioned heavens) as a result of this cause. Having heard of the Four Formless Concentrations (the four types of formless realm meditation) and practicing accordingly, one is reborn in the formless realm as a result of this cause. Sariputra (one of the Buddha's ten great disciples)! For this reason, you should know that all good dharmas appear in the world due to the conditions created by Bodhisattvas. 'Sariputra! For example, because of the power of merit of the Anavatapta Dragon King (a legendary dragon king), its pond flows out with four great rivers—the Ganga (Ganges) River to the east, the Sindhu (Indus) River to the south, the Vaksu (Oxus) River to the west, and the Sita River to the north—these four great rivers flow in four directions, pouring into the four great seas. The Ganga's retinue, with five hundred rivers, flows into the Eastern Sea; the Sindhu's retinue, with five hundred rivers, flows into the Southern Sea; the Vaksu's retinue, with five hundred rivers, flows into the Western Sea; the Sita's retinue, with five hundred rivers, flows into the Northern Sea. Sariputra! What do you think? These four great rivers flow in four directions, successively flowing into the four great seas. Are they able to benefit sentient beings in these four directions?' Sariputra replied: 'World Honored One! They truly greatly benefit immeasurable sentient beings, including birds and beasts, humans and non-humans.' Sariputra said: 'World Honored One! The fields of rice, wheat, millet, and beans near these rivers are also irrigated. Thus, these fields can obtain abundant harvests, and can also benefit immeasurable sentient beings, including birds and beasts, humans and non-humans, etc.' 'Sariputra! What do you think? What are these four great seas derived from?' Sariputra replied: 'World Honored One! These four great seas are all derived from the four great rivers.' The Buddha further told Sariputra: 'What do you think? Are these four great seas beneficial to sentient beings?' Sariputra replied: 'Yes, World Honored One! These seas are truly able to benefit immeasurable and boundless sentient beings, including amphibious and aquatic beings, such as large and small fish, beasts, Makaras (large sea creatures resembling fish), turtles, tortoises, frogs, geese, swans, mandarin ducks, and also provide habitats for countless other aquatic creatures.' 'Sariputra! Just like that,' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
大海，复为余众而作住处，所谓诸龙、乾闼婆、阿修罗、迦楼罗。亦出无量无边珍宝利益一切人、非人等，所谓真珠、珂贝、璧玉、珊瑚、琉璃、青毗、琉璃，及出其余种种珠宝，悉为众生之所受用而作利益。舍利弗！于意云何？此四大海由何而有？” 舍利弗言：“世尊！是海皆由阿耨达池。” 尔时，佛赞舍利弗言：“善哉，善哉！阿耨达多龙王体离三怖。何等为三？一者金翅鸟；二者热沙；三者诸龙若行欲时便为蛇身，阿耨达多龙王无如是事。舍利弗！阿耨达多龙王所居宫殿，乃是坐禅神通之人所居住处。舍利弗！若有人能住是处者，当知是等亦得无恼。” 舍利弗白佛言：“世尊！甚为希有。阿耨达多龙王宫殿，成就如是上善功德，于三怖畏尚无一事，况当具三。若有众生在此宫殿，亦复具得无是三事。若是神通、善思惟仁所住处者，是处必能出四大河，于诸众生多所利益。以是因缘，四大海水为诸众生之所受用而作窟宅，所谓卵生、诸飞鸟等，及余禽兽、人与非人。世尊！是阿耨达池成就如是无量功德。” 佛告舍利弗：“譬如阿耨达多龙王体离三怖，菩萨亦尔，体离三怖。何等为三？一、地狱怖；二、畜生怖；三、饿鬼怖。舍利弗！如因阿耨达池出四大河利益无边无量众生，菩 现代汉语译本：大海，又成为众多生灵的住所，包括各种龙（Nāga，具有超自然力量的蛇形生物）、乾闼婆（Gandharva，天上的乐师）、阿修罗（Asura，好战的神灵）、迦楼罗（Garuda，一种巨鸟）。大海也出产无量无边的珍宝，利益一切人和非人等众生，包括珍珠、珂贝、璧玉、珊瑚、琉璃、青毗琉璃，以及其他各种珠宝，都供众生受用，为他们带来利益。舍利弗（Śāriputra，佛陀的十大弟子之一）！你认为如何？这四大海是由什么而来的呢？’ 舍利弗回答说：‘世尊！这些海都源于阿耨达池（Anavatapta，传说中位于喜马拉雅山脉的圣湖）。’ 这时，佛赞叹舍利弗说：‘说得好，说得好！阿耨达多龙王（Anavatapta-nāgarāja，阿耨达池的龙王）的身体远离三种怖畏。是哪三种呢？一是金翅鸟（Garuda，以龙为食的神鸟）；二是热沙；三是众龙在行欲事时会变成蛇身，而阿耨达多龙王没有这些事情。舍利弗！阿耨达多龙王所居住的宫殿，是坐禅有神通的人所居住的地方。舍利弗！如果有人能居住在那里，应当知道他们也能得到无恼。’ 舍利弗对佛说：‘世尊！真是稀有。阿耨达多龙王的宫殿，成就了如此上善的功德，对于三种怖畏尚且没有一件，更何况全部具足。如果有众生居住在这宫殿里，也能具备没有这三种怖畏的功德。如果是神通广大、善于思惟的贤者所居住的地方，这个地方必定能流出四大河，对众多众生带来利益。因为这个缘故，四大海水成为各种众生的住所，包括卵生动物、各种飞鸟等，以及其他禽兽、人和非人。世尊！这阿耨达池成就了如此无量的功德。’ 佛告诉舍利弗：‘譬如阿耨达多龙王的身体远离三种怖畏，菩萨（Bodhisattva，追求觉悟的修行者）也是如此，身体远离三种怖畏。是哪三种呢？一、地狱怖；二、畜生怖；三、饿鬼怖。舍利弗！如同因为阿耨达池流出四大河，利益无边无量的众生，菩萨也是如此。
English
English version: 'The great ocean also serves as a dwelling place for many beings, including various Nāgas (dragons, beings with supernatural powers), Gandharvas (celestial musicians), Asuras (warlike deities), and Garudas (a giant bird). It also produces immeasurable and boundless treasures, benefiting all beings, human and non-human, such as pearls, shells, precious stones, coral, lapis lazuli, blue beryl, and other various jewels, all for the enjoyment and benefit of sentient beings. Śāriputra (one of the Buddha's ten principal disciples)! What do you think? From what do these four great oceans arise?' Śāriputra replied, 'World Honored One! These oceans all originate from Lake Anavatapta (a legendary lake in the Himalayas).' At that time, the Buddha praised Śāriputra, saying, 'Excellent, excellent! The Anavatapta-nāgarāja (Dragon King of Lake Anavatapta) is free from three fears. What are the three? First, the Garuda (a divine bird that preys on dragons); second, hot sand; third, when dragons engage in desire, they transform into serpent bodies, but the Anavatapta-nāgarāja does not experience these things. Śāriputra! The palace where the Anavatapta-nāgarāja resides is a place where those with meditative powers dwell. Śāriputra! If someone can reside there, know that they will also be free from affliction.' Śāriputra said to the Buddha, 'World Honored One! It is truly rare. The palace of the Anavatapta-nāgarāja has achieved such supreme merit, that it lacks even one of the three fears, let alone all three. If sentient beings reside in this palace, they will also possess the merit of being free from these three fears. If it is a place where those with great spiritual powers and wise contemplation reside, then this place will surely give rise to the four great rivers, bringing benefit to many beings. For this reason, the waters of the four great oceans serve as dwellings for various beings, including oviparous creatures, various birds, and other animals, humans, and non-humans. World Honored One! This Lake Anavatapta has achieved such immeasurable merit.' The Buddha told Śāriputra, 'Just as the Anavatapta-nāgarāja is free from three fears, so too is the Bodhisattva (one who seeks enlightenment), free from three fears. What are the three? First, the fear of hell; second, the fear of being born as an animal; third, the fear of being born as a hungry ghost. Śāriputra! Just as the four great rivers flow from Lake Anavatapta, benefiting immeasurable and boundless beings, so too is the Bodhisattva.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
萨亦尔，以四摄法摄取众生。一者布施；二者爱语；三者利行；四者同事。舍利弗！菩萨摩诃萨以四摄法利益众生。舍利弗！如因阿耨达池出四大海，菩萨亦尔，因菩提心出一切智海。舍利弗！如因大海为诸众生而作安隐、快乐住处。舍利弗！一切种智亦复如是，为三界众生而作安隐、快乐住处。何等三界？欲界、色界、无色界也。舍利弗！皆由菩萨周旋教化故，令三千大千世界所有众生得受安乐。何以故？舍利弗！若有菩萨出现于世行菩萨道，因修行道则得授记；因得授记则便得成阿耨多罗三藐三菩提转于法轮，一切世间沙门、婆罗门及梵天王、魔王波旬所不能转。众生闻已则有四众，所谓比丘、比丘尼、优婆塞、优婆夷。是四众等以是因缘，于天、人中而受种种微妙快乐及离欲乐。舍利弗！于意云何？如是之法因何而出？” 舍利弗言：“皆由菩萨因缘而出。” “舍利弗！于意云何？三界系法复因谁出？” 舍利弗言：“亦由菩萨因缘而出。” 佛告舍利弗：“于意云何？于是系法，颇有一法能报菩萨所作恩不？” 舍利弗言：“无也。世尊！何以故？由于菩萨如是之法出于世故。世尊！譬如有人多饶珍宝，有慈心故，以己库藏无量珍宝百千万亿那由他物，施于贫人。如是展转 现代汉语译本： 萨亦尔（Sārthavāha，商队领袖），以四摄法摄取众生。一者布施（Dāna，给予）；二者爱语（Priyavacana，善意的言语）；三者利行（Arthakṛtya，利益他人的行为）；四者同事（Samānārthatā，与他人共同行动）。舍利弗（Śāriputra，佛陀的弟子）！菩萨摩诃萨（Bodhisattva-mahāsattva，伟大的菩萨）以四摄法利益众生。舍利弗！如因阿耨达池（Anavatapta，无热恼池）出四大海，菩萨亦尔，因菩提心（Bodhi-citta，觉悟之心）出一切智海（Sarvajñāna-sāgara，一切智慧之海）。舍利弗！如因大海为诸众生而作安隐、快乐住处。舍利弗！一切种智（Sarvākārajñāna，对一切事物和现象的智慧）亦复如是，为三界众生而作安隐、快乐住处。何等三界？欲界（Kāmadhātu，充满欲望的领域）、色界（Rūpadhātu，物质的领域）、无色界（Arūpadhātu，非物质的领域）也。舍利弗！皆由菩萨周旋教化故，令三千大千世界所有众生得受安乐。何以故？舍利弗！若有菩萨出现于世行菩萨道，因修行道则得授记（Vyākaraṇa，预言成佛）；因得授记则便得成阿耨多罗三藐三菩提（Anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi，无上正等正觉）转于法轮（Dharma-cakra，佛法的轮子），一切世间沙门（Śrāmaṇa，出家人）、婆罗门（Brāhmaṇa，祭司）及梵天王（Brahmā，创造之神）、魔王波旬（Māra，恶魔）所不能转。众生闻已则有四众，所谓比丘（Bhikṣu，男出家人）、比丘尼（Bhikṣuṇī，女出家人）、优婆塞（Upāsaka，男居士）、优婆夷（Upāsikā，女居士）。是四众等以是因缘，于天、人中而受种种微妙快乐及离欲乐。舍利弗！于意云何？如是之法因何而出？’ 舍利弗言：‘皆由菩萨因缘而出。’ ‘舍利弗！于意云何？三界系法复因谁出？’ 舍利弗言：‘亦由菩萨因缘而出。’ 佛告舍利弗：‘于意云何？于是系法，颇有一法能报菩萨所作恩不？’ 舍利弗言：‘无也。世尊（Bhagavān，佛）！何以故？由于菩萨如是之法出于世故。世尊！譬如有人多饶珍宝，有慈心故，以己库藏无量珍宝百千万亿那由他（Niyuta，数词）物，施于贫人。如是展转
English
English version: Sārthavāha (Sārthavāha, leader of a caravan) uses the four means of conversion to gather beings. The first is giving (Dāna, generosity); the second is kind speech (Priyavacana, loving speech); the third is beneficial action (Arthakṛtya, acting for the benefit of others); the fourth is acting in concert (Samānārthatā, acting in accordance with others). Śāriputra (Śāriputra, one of Buddha's main disciples)! A Bodhisattva-mahāsattva (Bodhisattva-mahāsattva, a great Bodhisattva) benefits beings with the four means of conversion. Śāriputra! Just as the four great oceans come from Lake Anavatapta (Anavatapta, a lake without heat), so too does a Bodhisattva bring forth the ocean of all-wisdom (Sarvajñāna-sāgara, the ocean of all wisdom) from the Bodhi-citta (Bodhi-citta, the mind of enlightenment). Śāriputra! Just as the great ocean provides a safe and happy dwelling place for all beings, Śāriputra! The wisdom of all kinds (Sarvākārajñāna, wisdom regarding all things and phenomena) is also like this, providing a safe and happy dwelling place for beings in the three realms. What are the three realms? The desire realm (Kāmadhātu, the realm of desire), the form realm (Rūpadhātu, the realm of form), and the formless realm (Arūpadhātu, the realm of no form). Śāriputra! It is all due to the Bodhisattva's constant teaching and guidance that all beings in the three thousand great thousand worlds can receive peace and happiness. Why is that? Śāriputra! If a Bodhisattva appears in the world and practices the Bodhisattva path, they will receive a prediction of enlightenment (Vyākaraṇa, a prophecy of Buddhahood) through the practice of the path; and having received the prediction, they will attain Anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi (Anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi, unsurpassed perfect enlightenment) and turn the wheel of Dharma (Dharma-cakra, the wheel of Dharma), which cannot be turned by all the Śrāmaṇas (Śrāmaṇa, renunciates), Brāhmaṇas (Brāhmaṇa, priests), Brahmā (Brahmā, the creator god), and Māra Pāpīyas (Māra, the demon) in the world. After hearing this, beings will form the four assemblies, namely Bhikṣus (Bhikṣu, male monks), Bhikṣuṇīs (Bhikṣuṇī, female monks), Upāsakas (Upāsaka, male lay followers), and Upāsikās (Upāsikā, female lay followers). These four assemblies, through this cause, will receive various subtle joys and the joy of detachment in the heavens and among humans. Śāriputra! What do you think? From what cause does such a Dharma arise?' Śāriputra said: 'It all arises from the cause of the Bodhisattva.' 'Śāriputra! What do you think? From whom does the Dharma that binds the three realms arise?' Śāriputra said: 'It also arises from the cause of the Bodhisattva.' The Buddha told Śāriputra: 'What do you think? Among these binding Dharmas, is there even one Dharma that can repay the kindness of the Bodhisattva?' Śāriputra said: 'No, World-Honored One (Bhagavān, the Buddha)! Why is that? Because such a Dharma of the Bodhisattva arises in the world. World-Honored One! For example, if a person is very rich in treasures and has a compassionate heart, they would give away countless treasures, hundreds of thousands of millions of Niyutas (Niyuta, a numerical value) of things from their own storehouse to the poor. Thus, in turn --------------------------------------------------------------------------------