English
English version: 'Venerable one! What kind of karma caused this to happen, to suffer such afflictions?' He replied, 'Great virtuous SengHu! It is because the people of Jambudvipa (Jambudvipa) have no faith.' SengHu (SengHu) reported, 'I am now seeing it with my own eyes, why do you say they have no faith?' He said, 'SengHu (SengHu)! In the past, when we were Sravakas (Sravakas) under Kasyapa Buddha (Kasyapa Buddha), we would fight and quarrel whenever it was time to eat. Because of this karma, I am now suffering minor pain in this separate hell; after dying here, I will fall into the great hell. You should now go and tell the Sangha (Sangha) of Jambudvipa (Jambudvipa) not to fight and quarrel during mealtimes. If they fight and quarrel, they will surely suffer such pain.' SengHu (SengHu) replied, 'Yes, yes, I will do as you say.' Then he took his leave and departed. Gradually proceeding forward, he saw another monastery. The monastery was as magnificent as the previous one, and he saw the Bhiksus (bhiksu) with their dignified demeanor, even to the point of disappearing as before. In the Bhiksus' (bhiksu) bowls, there was hot molten copper being poured onto each other, until the monastery appeared, and the Bhiksu (bhiksu) assembly sat down in order. SengHu (SengHu) reported, 'Great virtuous one! By what karmic force have you come to this place, to suffer such pain?' The Bhiksu (bhiksu) told him, 'Living beings are hard to believe.' He replied, 'I have seen it myself, how can I not believe?' 'SengHu (SengHu), you should know that I was a Sravaka (Sravaka) under Kasyapa Buddha (Kasyapa Buddha). Whenever it was time to eat, we would receive excellent and delicious foods such as ghee. At that time, there was a guest Bhiksu (bhiksu), and we were stingy with the food, thinking, 'Let's wait until the guest leaves, then we'll eat together.' At that time, it rained for seven days, and the guest could not proceed due to the muddy roads, so for seven days they could not eat this food, and it all became rotten and unusable for offering, so we threw it away. Because we received the alms of the faithful but did not distribute the food equally, and casually threw it away. Because of this karma, we are born in a separate hell and suffer minor pain; after suffering, upon death, we will fall into the great hell.' The Bhiksu (bhiksu) told him, 'SengHu (SengHu)! You tell the Bhiksus (bhiksu) in the human world not to do such things. If they do, they will incur the suffering of the great hell.' Having heard these words, he took his leave and departed. Gradually proceeding forward, he saw another monastery, as magnificent as before, with many Bhiksus (bhiksu). Seeing that it was time to eat, they sat down as before. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
其寺火起，猛焰炽盛。诸苾刍众，悉皆被烧。食时既过，寺还如故。其苾刍众，诸根调伏，依次而坐。僧护同前问答。告言：“善听。我于往昔迦摄波佛所而作声闻，便即破戒，僧摈我出遂于他处，与同类之人共住。后于异时，有一苾刍持戒精进，来至此处。又于异时，复有苾刍持戒无缺。亦来此处。整理僧徒，呵责我等，遂生不忍。后于异时，至食时间大众欲食，遂即同心放火烧寺，乃至烧尽。由彼业力，来生此中且受别苦；于斯受尽，堕大地狱。汝当为报赡部苾刍。勿为斯事。若作此者，还如我等受如斯苦。”又复别见有情，形体如壁、或如大树、或有如叶、或复如花、或有如果、亦有如柱。此等有情总以绳系，挽令断绝。 尔时僧护渐次前行，至一住处。有五百仙人见僧护来，各相谓曰：“此沙门释子，多言多语，汝等不应与彼言谈。”作是语已，嘿然而住。是时僧护到彼，告诸仙曰：“宜应与我安置住处。”诸仙嘿然，无人共语。众中有一仙人，慈悲愍念，告诸仙曰：“岂不安置沙门释子？”诸仙报曰：“宜应与座，勿与言谈。”僧护答曰：“善。”于一空室安置僧护，洗足敷座。安置座已，端身正念。仙人住处先有众多天女，至初夜分到僧护所，白言：“圣者！愿与我等说其法要。”僧护报言：“姊 现代汉语译本：寺庙突然起火，火势非常猛烈。所有的比丘（Bhikkhu，佛教僧侣）都被烧伤。过了吃饭的时间，寺庙又恢复了原样。那些比丘们诸根调伏，依次坐好。僧护（Sangharakshita，人名）像之前一样与他们问答。他们告诉僧护：‘请仔细听。我过去在迦摄波佛（Kashyapa Buddha，过去七佛之一）的时代做声闻（Śrāvaka，听闻佛陀教诲的弟子）时，就破了戒律，被僧团驱逐出去，于是到其他地方，与同类的人住在一起。后来，在不同的时间，有一位持戒精进的比丘来到这里。又在不同的时间，又有一位持戒没有缺失的比丘也来到这里。他们整理僧团，呵斥我们，我们因此心生不忍。后来，在不同的时间，到了吃饭的时候，大家想要吃饭，于是就同心协力放火烧寺庙，直到烧尽。由于那样的业力，我们来到这里，并且承受着特别的痛苦；在这里受尽之后，还要堕入大地狱。你应该告诉赡部洲（Jambudvipa，我们所居住的世界）的比丘们，不要做这样的事情。如果做了这样的事情，就会像我们一样遭受这样的痛苦。’他又看到其他众生，身体像墙壁、或者像大树、或者像树叶、或者像花朵、或者像果实、也有像柱子的。这些众生都被绳子拴着，被拉扯断绝。 当时，僧护逐渐向前走，来到一个住处。有五百个仙人看到僧护来了，互相说道：‘这个沙门（Śrāmaṇa，出家修行者）、释子（释迦牟尼佛的弟子），多言多语，你们不应该和他说话。’说完这些话后，就默默地住着。这时，僧护来到他们那里，告诉众仙人说：‘应该给我安排一个住处。’众仙人默默不语，没有人和他说话。众仙人中有一位仙人，慈悲怜悯，告诉众仙人说：‘难道不应该给这位沙门释子安排住处吗？’众仙人回答说：‘应该给他座位，不要和他说话。’僧护回答说：‘好。’于是在一个空房间里给僧护安排了住处，洗了脚，铺设了座位。安排好座位后，僧护端正身体，专心忆念。仙人们的住处先前有很多天女，到了初夜时分来到僧护那里，说道：‘圣者！希望您能为我们讲说佛法的要义。’僧护回答说：‘姐妹们！’
English
English version: The monastery suddenly caught fire, and the flames were raging. All the Bhikkhus (Buddhist monks) were burned. After mealtime, the monastery returned to its original state. The Bhikkhus, with their senses subdued, sat down in order. Sangharakshita (a personal name) asked and answered them as before. They told Sangharakshita: 'Listen carefully. In the past, when I was a Śrāvaka (a disciple who hears the Buddha's teachings) under Kashyapa Buddha (one of the seven Buddhas of the past), I broke the precepts and was expelled from the Sangha (monastic community). So I went to another place and lived with people of the same kind. Later, at different times, a Bhikkhu who diligently upheld the precepts came here. And at different times, another Bhikkhu who upheld the precepts without any flaws also came here. They reorganized the Sangha and reprimanded us, and we became intolerant. Later, at different times, when it was time for a meal and everyone wanted to eat, we joined forces to set fire to the monastery until it was completely burned down. Due to that karma, we were born here and are suffering special pain; after suffering here, we will fall into the great hell. You should tell the Bhikkhus of Jambudvipa (the world we live in) not to do such things. If they do such things, they will suffer as we do.' He also saw other beings whose bodies were like walls, or like large trees, or like leaves, or like flowers, or like fruits, and some like pillars. These beings were all tied with ropes and pulled apart. At that time, Sangharakshita gradually moved forward and came to a dwelling place. Five hundred hermits saw Sangharakshita coming and said to each other: 'This Śrāmaṇa (ascetic), a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha, is talkative. You should not speak to him.' After saying these words, they remained silent. At this time, Sangharakshita came to them and said to the hermits: 'You should arrange a dwelling place for me.' The hermits remained silent, and no one spoke to him. Among the hermits, one hermit, with compassion and pity, said to the hermits: 'Shouldn't we arrange a dwelling place for this Śrāmaṇa, a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha?' The hermits replied: 'We should give him a seat, but not speak to him.' Sangharakshita replied: 'Good.' So they arranged a dwelling place for Sangharakshita in an empty room, washed his feet, and prepared a seat. After the seat was arranged, Sangharakshita straightened his body and focused his mind. In the hermits' dwelling place, there were previously many goddesses. At the beginning of the night, they came to Sangharakshita and said: 'Holy one! We hope that you can explain the essence of the Dharma to us.' Sangharakshita replied: 'Sisters!' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
妹！汝等大受快乐。我被诸仙制不令语，所以得此静室而住。姊妹遣我说法，欲令我出去耶？”时诸天女便作是念：“此沙门释子从外远来，身应疲乏，宜应且去。”作是念已，诸天便去。至夜半后，天女还来，诣僧护处白言：“圣者！为我说法。”僧护报曰：“决定遣我出此处耶？”诸天复念：“彼眠未足，宜应且去。”至夜后分，天女还来，诣僧护所白言：“圣者！为我说法。”僧护复言：“姊妹！汝欲还令我去此耶？”天女曰：“天既晓已，何故不去？岂复不闻佛说：‘至恐怖处当须忍。’耶？”尔时僧护便作是念：“天女厌我，我应速去。”复作是念：“此等仙人皆是异学，我应颂彼所学伽他，令彼闻者悉皆欢喜。”作是念已，便说伽他曰： “露形与长发， 涂灰并断食， 地卧澡浴身， 蹲踞及邪念； 此等诸邪法， 终不免生死， 唯除真妙法， 庄严于自身。 正见住思惟， 当断贪瞋等， 慈悲行喜舍， 有情命不断； 勤修于学处， 此是真沙门， 亦是婆罗门， 是不苾刍性。” 说是颂时，诸仙闻已共相谓曰：“此诵我经。”时诸仙众各各私起，默听其言。由诸天女迷彼仙人，互不相见。尔时僧护为说《城喻经》，令其觉悟。说是经已，时诸仙众证 现代汉语译本： 僧护说：‘姐妹们！你们承受着巨大的快乐。我被众仙人限制，不能说话，所以才得到这安静的房间居住。姐妹们派遣我说法，是想要让我离开这里吗？’当时，众天女便这样想：‘这位沙门释子（Śrāmaṇa Śākya-putra，释迦牟尼的出家弟子）从遥远的地方来，身体应该很疲惫，应该暂时离开。’这样想后，众天女便离开了。到了半夜之后，天女又回来，到僧护处禀告说：‘圣者！请为我们说法。’僧护回答说：‘你们真的要让我离开这里吗？’众天女又想：‘他睡眠还不足，应该暂时离开。’到了后半夜，天女又回来，到僧护处禀告说：‘圣者！请为我们说法。’僧护又说：‘姐妹们！你们想要让我再离开这里吗？’天女说：‘天已经亮了，为什么还不离开？难道没有听过佛陀说：‘在恐怖的地方应当忍耐。’吗？’ 当时，僧护便这样想：‘天女厌恶我，我应该赶快离开。’又这样想：‘这些仙人都是异教学者，我应该诵读他们所学的伽陀（gāthā，偈颂），让他们听了都欢喜。’这样想后，便说了伽陀： ‘裸形与长发， 涂灰并断食， 地卧澡浴身， 蹲踞及邪念； 此等诸邪法， 终不免生死， 唯除真妙法， 庄严于自身。 正见住思惟， 当断贪瞋等， 慈悲行喜舍， 有情命不断； 勤修于学处， 此是真沙门（Śrāmaṇa，出家求道者）， 亦是婆罗门（Brāhmaṇa，古印度僧侣阶层）， 是不苾刍（bhikṣu，比丘）性。’ 说完这偈颂时，众仙人听了后互相说：‘这是诵读我们的经典。’当时，众仙人各自悄悄起身，默默地听他说。由于众天女迷惑了那些仙人，互相看不见。当时，僧护为他们说了《城喻经》，让他们觉悟。说完这部经后，当时众仙人证得了...
English
English version: Saṃgharakṣita said, 'Sisters! You receive great joy. I am restricted by the devas (devas, gods) from speaking, so I obtained this quiet room to dwell in. Sisters send me to expound the Dharma, do you want me to leave here?' At that time, the goddesses thought, 'This Śrāmaṇa Śākya-putra (Śrāmaṇa Śākya-putra, a renunciate disciple of Śākyamuni) comes from afar, his body should be tired, he should leave for now.' After thinking this, the goddesses left. After midnight, the goddesses returned and went to Saṃgharakṣita's place and said, 'Venerable one! Expound the Dharma for us.' Saṃgharakṣita replied, 'Do you really want me to leave this place?' The goddesses thought again, 'He has not had enough sleep, he should leave for now.' In the later part of the night, the goddesses returned and went to Saṃgharakṣita's place and said, 'Venerable one! Expound the Dharma for us.' Saṃgharakṣita said again, 'Sisters! Do you want me to leave here again?' The goddesses said, 'The sky is already bright, why not leave? Have you not heard the Buddha say, 'In a place of terror, one should endure'?' At that time, Saṃgharakṣita thought, 'The goddesses are tired of me, I should leave quickly.' He also thought, 'These devas are all adherents of other teachings, I should recite the gāthās (gāthā, verses) they have learned, so that those who hear them will all be delighted.' After thinking this, he spoke the gāthās: 'Nakedness and long hair, smearing ashes and fasting, Lying on the ground and bathing, squatting and wrong thoughts; These evil practices, will not escape birth and death, Only the true and wonderful Dharma, adorns oneself. Right view abiding in contemplation, one should cut off greed and anger, Loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, living beings' lives are not cut off; Diligently cultivating the training grounds, this is a true Śrāmaṇa (Śrāmaṇa, a renunciate seeker of the Way), Also a Brāhmaṇa (Brāhmaṇa, a member of the priestly class in ancient India), is not the nature of a bhikṣu (bhikṣu, a Buddhist monk).' When he spoke this verse, the devas heard it and said to each other, 'This is reciting our scriptures.' At that time, the devas each quietly got up and silently listened to his words. Because the goddesses confused those devas, they could not see each other. At that time, Saṃgharakṣita spoke the 'City Simile Sutra' for them, causing them to awaken. After speaking this sutra, at that time the devas attained... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------