English
English version These sinners are taken to Yama (the King of Hell). Having arrived, they are made to stand before Yama. At that time, Yama says: 'You go to the place of karmic retribution.' Then, the Yama's hell-wardens drive and lead the sinners to the Great Hell of Black Ropes (Kālasūtra-naraka, one of the eight hot hells). Having arrived, these sinners are thrown one by one into the hell. Once thrown in, each sinner is pierced by a hundred spears simultaneously, but their lives do not end. Next, two hundred large spears pierce their bodies together, yet their lives still remain. Afterward, three hundred large spears pierce their bodies at once, but their lives still do not end. Since their lives remain, they are then thrown into a great fire pit, but their lives still do not end. At this time, hot iron balls are placed in their mouths, forcing them to swallow. Their lips, teeth, gums, and throats are all burned and destroyed. Their hearts, livers, intestines, and stomachs are boiled and seethed, and their entire bodies are scorched and ruined. I tell the mighty Asura King Balin (the Asura King guarding hell), that when enduring such suffering, there is no one who can come to their aid. You should know this. I am now speaking this Dharma to you, you should personally cultivate blessings. At that time, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Mahāsattva (the Great Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara) tells the mighty Asura King: 'I now wish to go to the Jeta Grove Garden (Jetavana, the monastery where the Buddha often resided). There is a great assembly there today.' At that time, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva emits countless rays of various colors, such as blue light, yellow light, red light, white light, Sphatika (crystal-colored) light, golden light, and so on. These lights go before Viśvabhū Tathagata (one of the past seven Buddhas). At that time, Devas (gods), Nāgas (dragons, one of the eight classes of beings), Yakshas (one of the eight classes of beings), Rakshasas (one of the eight classes of beings), Kinnaras (one of the eight classes of beings), Mahoragas (one of the eight classes of beings), and people, all gather there. Also, countless Bodhisattva Mahāsattvas (Great Bodhisattvas) all gather there. Then, among the assembly, there is a Bodhisattva named Ākāśagarbha (the Bodhisattva Ākāśagarbha). He rises from his seat, arranges his robes, bares his right shoulder, places his right knee on the ground, respectfully joins his palms, and addresses the Buddha, saying: 'World-Honored One, from where do these lights come?' The Buddha tells the good man: 'These lights are from Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva in the palace of the mighty Asura King, emitting these lights and coming here.' At that time, the Bodhisattva Ākāśagarbha says to the World-Honored One: 'By what means can I see that Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva?' The Buddha tells the good man: 'That Bodhisattva should also come here.' Avalokiteśvara Bo --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
萨出大力阿苏啰王宫时。祇陀林园忽然而有天妙华树天劫波树。而有无数诸天鲜妙杂色庄严。上悬百种真珠璎珞。又悬憍尸迦衣及余种种衣服。树身枝条其色深红金银为叶。复有无数微妙香树殊妙华树。无数宝池有百千万杂色妙华充满其中。出现如是时。虚空藏菩萨白世尊言。彼观自在菩萨。于今何故而未来耶。 佛告善男子彼观自在菩萨。从大力阿苏啰王宫出已。而有一处名曰黑暗无人能到。善男子彼黑暗处日月光明之所不照。有如意宝名曰随愿。而于恒时发光明照。彼有无数百千万药叉止住其中。于时见观自在菩萨入于其中。心怀欢喜踊跃奔驰。而来迎逆观自在菩萨。头面礼足而问讯言。菩萨于今无疲劳耶。久不来此黑暗之地。观自在菩萨言。我为救度诸有情故。时彼药叉罗刹。以天金宝师子之座而请就坐。于是菩萨为彼药叉罗刹说法。汝当谛听有大乘经。名庄严宝王。若有得闻一四句偈。而能受持读诵。解说其义心常思惟。所获福德无有限量。善男子所有微尘。我能数其如是数量。善男子若有于此大乘庄严宝王经。而能受持一四句偈。所获福德而我不能数其数量。若以大海所有之水。我能数其一一滴数。若于此经有能受持一四句偈。所获福德而我不能数其数量。假使十二殑伽河沙数如来应正等觉。经十二 现代汉语译本：当萨出大力阿苏啰王（非天之王）宫殿时，祇陀林园（祇树给孤独园）忽然出现了天妙华树和天劫波树（天上的劫波树）。并且有无数诸天以鲜艳美妙的杂色来庄严此地，上方悬挂着百种真珠璎珞，又悬挂着憍尸迦衣（一种丝绸）以及其他种种衣服。树身枝条的颜色是深红色，以金银为叶。还有无数微妙的香树和殊胜美妙的华树，无数宝池中有百千万种杂色妙华充满其中。当出现这些景象时，虚空藏菩萨问世尊说：‘彼观自在菩萨（观世音菩萨），如今为何还没有到来呢？’ 佛告诉善男子说：‘彼观自在菩萨，从大力阿苏啰王宫出来之后，会前往一个名为黑暗的地方，无人能够到达。’善男子，那个黑暗的地方，日月的光明都无法照耀。那里有一种如意宝，名叫随愿（能随心所愿的宝珠），它恒常地发出光明照亮那里。那里有无数百千万药叉（一种鬼神）居住其中。当时，他们见到观自在菩萨进入其中，心中怀着欢喜，踊跃奔跑，前来迎接观自在菩萨，以头面礼拜菩萨的双足，并且问讯说：‘菩萨您如今没有疲劳吗？很久没有来到这黑暗之地了。’观自在菩萨说：‘我是为了救度诸有情（一切众生）的缘故而来。’当时，那些药叉罗刹（恶鬼），以天上的金宝师子之座来请菩萨就坐。于是，菩萨为那些药叉罗刹说法：‘你们应当仔细听闻，有一部大乘经典，名为《庄严宝王经》。如果有人能够听闻其中的一四句偈（佛经中的四句诗），并且能够受持、读诵、解说其中的意义，心中常常思惟，所获得的福德是无法估量的。’善男子，所有微尘的数量，我能够数清楚。善男子，如果有人对于这部大乘《庄严宝王经》，能够受持其中的一四句偈，所获得的福德，我是无法数清楚其数量的。如果以大海中所有的水，我能够数清楚每一滴水的数量。如果对于这部经有能够受持一四句偈的人，所获得的福德，我是无法数清楚其数量的。假使有十二个殑伽河沙数（恒河沙数）的如来应正等觉（佛的称号），经过十二
English
English version: When Sadhu emerged from the palace of the great powerful Asura King (king of non-divine beings), celestial wondrous flower trees and celestial Kalpa trees (trees of the Kalpa heaven) suddenly appeared in the Jeta Grove Garden (Jetavana Anathapindika's Park). Moreover, countless devas adorned the place with fresh, exquisite, and variegated colors, with hundreds of kinds of genuine pearl necklaces hanging above, as well as Kausika garments (a type of silk) and various other clothes. The color of the tree trunks and branches was deep red, with gold and silver as leaves. There were also countless subtle fragrant trees and exceptionally wondrous flower trees, and countless jeweled ponds filled with hundreds of thousands of variegated wondrous flowers. When these appearances manifested, the Bodhisattva Akashagarbha (treasury of space) said to the World Honored One: 'Why has that Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (the Bodhisattva of Compassion) not yet arrived?' The Buddha told the virtuous man: 'That Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, after emerging from the palace of the great powerful Asura King, will go to a place called Darkness, which no one can reach.' Virtuous man, that place of Darkness is not illuminated by the light of the sun or moon. There is a wish-fulfilling jewel called 'Suivana' (wish-granting jewel), which constantly emits light to illuminate it. Countless hundreds of thousands of Yakshas (a type of spirit) dwell there. At that time, seeing Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara entering there, they were filled with joy, leaped and ran to greet Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, bowed their heads and faces at the Bodhisattva's feet, and inquired, 'Bodhisattva, are you not weary today? It has been a long time since you came to this dark place.' Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara said, 'I have come for the sake of saving all sentient beings.' At that time, those Yakshas and Rakshasas (evil spirits) invited the Bodhisattva to sit on a heavenly golden and jeweled lion throne. Thereupon, the Bodhisattva preached the Dharma to those Yakshas and Rakshasas, saying, 'You should listen attentively, there is a Mahayana Sutra (Great Vehicle Scripture) called the 'King of Glorious Jewels.' If anyone can hear one four-line verse (a four-line poem in Buddhist scriptures) from it, and can uphold, recite, explain its meaning, and constantly contemplate it in their mind, the merit they obtain is immeasurable.' Virtuous man, I can count the number of all dust particles. Virtuous man, if anyone can uphold one four-line verse from this Mahayana 'King of Glorious Jewels' Sutra, I cannot count the amount of merit they obtain. If I were to count every single drop of water in the ocean, I could count it. If anyone can uphold one four-line verse from this Sutra, I cannot count the amount of merit they obtain. Suppose there are twelve Ganges River sands (numberless) of Tathagatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones (titles of the Buddha), after twelve --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
劫俱在一处。恒以衣服饮食卧具汤药。及余资具奉施供养如是诸佛。而亦不能说尽。如是福德数量。非唯于我在黑暗处说不能尽。善男子又如四大洲人。各各以自所居舍宅造立精舍。而于其中以天金宝造千窣堵波。而于一日悉皆成就。种种供养所获福德。不如于此经中。而能受持一四句偈所获福德。善男子如五大河入于大海。如是流行无有穷尽。若有能持此大乘经四句偈者。所获福德流行亦复无尽。时彼药叉罗刹。白观自在菩萨言。若有有情而能书写此大乘经。所获福德其量云何。善男子所获福德无有边际。若人有能书写此经。则同书写八万四千法藏而无有异。是人当得转轮圣王。统四大洲威德自在。面貌端严千子围绕。一切他敌自然臣伏。若有人能常时但念此经名号。是人速得解脱轮回之苦。远离老死忧悲苦恼。是人于后所生之处能忆宿命。其身常有牛头栴檀之香。口中常出青莲华香。身相圆满具大势力。说是法时彼诸药叉罗刹。有得预流果者。其中或有得一来果者。作如是言。唯愿菩萨且住于此勿往余处。我今于此黑暗之地。以天金宝造窣堵波。又以金宝造经行处。是时观自在菩萨摩诃萨告言。我为救度无数有情。皆令当得菩提道故欲往余处。时诸药叉罗刹各各低头。以手搘腮徘徊意绪。而思惟之作如是言。今观 现代汉语译本： 即使将所有劫（kalpa）的时间都集中在一处，总是用衣服、饮食、卧具、汤药以及其他资具来奉献供养这些佛，也不能完全说尽这样做的福德数量。不仅仅是我在黑暗之处无法说尽。善男子，又比如四大洲的人，各自用自己居住的房舍建造精舍（精舍：Vihara，佛教寺院），并且在其中用天上的金银珠宝建造一千座窣堵波（窣堵波：Stupa，佛塔），而且在一天之内全部完成，用种种供品供养所获得的福德，不如受持这部经中的一个四句偈所获得的福德。 善男子，就像五大河流入大海一样，这样流动没有穷尽。如果有人能够受持这部大乘经典的四句偈，所获得的福德流动也同样没有穷尽。当时，那些药叉（Yaksa，一种守护神）和罗刹（Raksa，一种恶鬼）对观自在菩萨（Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva）说：‘如果有人能够书写这部大乘经典，所获得的福德有多少呢？’ 善男子，所获得的福德没有边际。如果有人能够书写这部经，就等同于书写八万四千法藏（Dharma-skandha，佛法的总集）而没有差别。这个人应当能够成为转轮圣王（Cakravartin，统治世界的理想君王），统治四大洲，威德自在，面貌端正庄严，有一千个儿子围绕，一切敌人都自然臣服。如果有人能够经常只是念诵这部经的名字，这个人迅速能够解脱轮回的痛苦，远离衰老、死亡、忧愁、悲伤、痛苦和烦恼。这个人以后所出生的地方能够回忆起宿命，他的身上常常有牛头栴檀（Gośīrṣa-candana，一种珍贵的檀香）的香味，口中常常发出青莲华（Utpala，蓝色莲花）的香味，身相圆满，具有强大的势力。 在宣说这个佛法的时候，那些药叉和罗刹中，有的证得了预流果（Srota-apanna，佛教修行第一阶段的果位），其中有的证得了一来果（Sakrdagamin，佛教修行第二阶段的果位），他们这样说：‘唯愿菩萨暂时住在这里，不要前往其他地方。我们现在在这个黑暗的地方，用天上的金银珠宝建造窣堵波，又用金银珠宝建造经行处（Cankrama，僧人散步的地方）。’当时，观自在菩萨摩诃萨（Mahāsattva，伟大的菩萨）告诉他们说：‘我是为了救度无数的有情众生，让他们都能够证得菩提道（Bodhi，觉悟）才想要前往其他地方。’当时，那些药叉和罗刹各自低下头，用手托着脸颊，徘徊不定，心中思索，这样说道：‘现在观……’
English
English version: Even if all kalpas (kalpa) were gathered in one place, and one were to constantly offer clothes, food, bedding, medicine, and other necessities to these Buddhas, one could not fully describe the amount of merit from doing so. It is not just that I cannot fully describe it in this dark place. Good man, furthermore, if the people of the four great continents each built Viharas (Vihara: Buddhist monastery) in their own dwellings, and within them constructed a thousand Stupas (Stupa: Buddhist monument) of heavenly gold and jewels, completing them all in a single day, the merit gained from various offerings would not equal the merit gained from upholding a four-line verse from this Sutra. Good man, just as the five great rivers flow into the ocean, endlessly, if someone can uphold a four-line verse from this Mahayana Sutra, the flow of merit they gain will also be endless. At that time, those Yakshas (Yaksa: a type of guardian spirit) and Rakshasas (Raksa: a type of demon) said to Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva): 'If sentient beings can write this Mahayana Sutra, how great will the merit they gain be?' Good man, the merit gained is boundless. If someone can write this Sutra, it is the same as writing the eighty-four thousand Dharma-skandhas (Dharma-skandha: collection of teachings) without difference. This person should be able to become a Cakravartin (Cakravartin: ideal universal ruler), ruling the four great continents, with majestic virtue and freedom, a dignified and handsome appearance, surrounded by a thousand sons, and all enemies will naturally submit. If someone can constantly just recite the name of this Sutra, that person will quickly be liberated from the suffering of Samsara (Samsara: cycle of rebirth), and be far from old age, death, sorrow, grief, pain, and affliction. In future lives, this person will be able to remember past lives, their body will always have the fragrance of Gośīrṣa-candana (Gośīrṣa-candana: a type of precious sandalwood), and their mouth will always emit the fragrance of Utpala (Utpala: blue lotus) flowers, their physical form will be complete, and they will possess great power. When this Dharma was being spoken, among those Yakshas and Rakshasas, some attained the Srota-apanna (Srota-apanna: stream-enterer, the first stage of enlightenment), and some attained the Sakrdagamin (Sakrdagamin: once-returner, the second stage of enlightenment), they said: 'We wish that the Bodhisattva would stay here for a while and not go elsewhere. We will now build Stupas with heavenly gold and jewels in this dark place, and also build Cankramas (Cankrama: a place for monks to walk) with gold and jewels.' At that time, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Mahāsattva (Mahāsattva: great being) told them: 'I want to go elsewhere in order to save countless sentient beings, so that they can all attain Bodhi (Bodhi: enlightenment).' At that time, those Yakshas and Rakshasas each lowered their heads, propped their cheeks with their hands, and paced back and forth, contemplating, saying: 'Now, looking at...' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------