English
English version The *Peacock King Sutra*, the *Damamūka Nidāna Sūtra*, the *Mahāsaṃnipāta Sūtra*, the *Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa*, and other scriptures are narrated together here because of their verbose texts. The name of the deity is Vajrapāṇi (translated as 'Diamond' in the Liang Dynasty). The name of the deity is Bharīta (pronounced 'He Dan' in reverse, translated as 'Strong Man' in the Liang Dynasty). First is the Steadfast Light Deity, second is the Sunlight Light Deity, third is the Sumeru Flower Deity, fourth is the Pure Cloud Sound Deity, fifth is the Asura King Deity (taking the name of Asura, but not a true Asura), sixth is the Victorious Light Deity, seventh is the Tree Sound Deity, eighth is the Lion King Deity (as explained above), ninth is the Pure and Thick Light Treasury Deity, and tenth is the Jewel Crest Flower Light Deity. These twelve Vajra Warrior Deities are based on the *Saṃyukta Āgama Sūtra*. The Vajra deity holds a vajra, with fierce flames blazing. The scriptures and precepts also say: 'Eight Vajra deities are arranged on all four sides.' It is also said: 'Five hundred Vajras constantly guard the Buddha.' As the *Avataṃsaka Sūtra* says: 'All the Vajra deities, together with countless warriors, have long made vows to attend upon the Tathāgata, uphold the remaining Dharma.' Now, according to the text, although the ordination platform (戒坛, Jie Tan) is not mentioned, this ordination platform is actually a Stupa (塔婆, Tā pó), used to enshrine the relics (舍利, Shè lì). The sacred bones are buried within it; if it is not a Stupa, then what is it? Those who are fixated on names are not worth commenting on. To reiterate, the word '塔' (Tǎ, Stupa) in Chinese dictionaries is merely the sound of an object and was not originally a Western term. According to the Sanskrit original, the place where the Buddha's bones are buried is called 'Stupa' (塔婆, Tā pó). Here, '婆' (Pó) is omitted, and only '塔' (Tǎ) is used. Therefore, in the scriptures, it is sometimes called 'Stupa' (偷婆, Tōu pó) or 'Stupa' (窣堵波, Sū dǔ bō). According to the Tang Dynasty translation, it is a 'square grave,' which is a tomb! In ancient times, burials did not have mounds; a mound refers to adding earth on top of the grave. As the Vinaya says: 'The Tathāgata knew that there were relics of Kasyapa Buddha (迦叶佛, Jiā yè fó) underground and increased the earth on top of it.' This is the appearance of a Stupa! Now, the ordination platform enshrines the Buddha's relics, with layered foundations marking the distinction, and rows of deity images guarding and displaying their names. This is how it should be! The preceding twelve deities constantly guard the Stupa. The lower level is built according to the ground, and the platform has five levels of steps. Two deities are arranged on each level, so there are ten deities in total! The lower level... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
为戒坛基本，其犹金刚，故以十金刚依阶而位列也！ 下层四角大神，所谓金刚力士、金毗罗、散脂，并护佛塔，故峙列四隅，以护持本也；东南角神名跋阇罗波尼(又领般支分大军主神)；西南角神名婆里旱(又领般遮罗遮驮大军主神)；西北角神王名金毗罗(又领婆多祁利大军主神)；东北角神将名散脂(又领醯摩跋多大军主神)。下层南面二阶，东畔阶道(东神名坚固光曜，西神名日光曜)；西畔阶道(东神名须弥华，西神名净云音)。东面一阶道(南神名阿修罗王，北神名胜光明)；西面一阶道(南神名树音声，北神名师子王)。北面一阶道(西神名淳厚光藏，东神名珠髻华光)。 第二层上四角大神，所谓四天王也，常护佛法及以众生，岂唯坛塔而在情外，故须造立仪像，依方隅而列之(依《灌顶经》云：“五罗鬼神、鬼子母神五百儿子、及摩醯首罗、摩尼跋陀、修利犍陀五神，于佛灭后常护冢塔，不使邪人所坏。若破坏者，当知正法欲灭，故使然也。”)。东北角天王名提头赖吒，领乾闼婆及毗舍阇众，住东弗婆提洲。《大智论》云：“四天王并寿九百万岁，各有九十一子，皆护佛法。”其王领四神军主，出《灌顶经》，下同今配。 戒坛第二层基，东面两阶各二神；南阶道二神(南 现代汉语译本：戒坛的基础如同金刚一般坚固，因此用十位金刚依阶梯排列。 下层四角的大神，就是金刚力士、金毗罗（Kumbhira，药叉神）、散脂（Samjñaya，药叉大将），他们守护佛塔，所以屹立在四个角落，以护持根本。东南角的神名叫跋阇罗波尼（Vajrapani，又统领般支分大军主神）；西南角的神名叫婆里旱（Barihan，又统领般遮罗遮驮大军主神）；西北角的神王名叫金毗罗（Kumbhira，又统领婆多祁利大军主神）；东北角的神将名叫散脂（Samjñaya，又统领醯摩跋多大军主神）。下层南面二阶，东边的阶道（东边的神名叫坚固光曜，西边的神名叫日光曜）；西边的阶道（东边的神名叫须弥华，西边的神名叫净云音）。东面一阶道（南边的神名叫阿修罗王，北边的神名叫胜光明）；西面一阶道（南边的神名叫树音声，北边的神名叫师子王）。北面一阶道（西边的神名叫淳厚光藏，东边的神名叫珠髻华光）。 第二层上四角的大神，就是四大天王，他们经常守护佛法以及众生，不仅仅守护坛和塔，也在乎众生的情感，所以需要建造他们的仪像，按照方位排列（依据《灌顶经》所说：‘五罗鬼神、鬼子母神五百儿子、以及摩醯首罗（Maheśvara，大自在天）、摩尼跋陀（Manibhadra，宝贤药叉）、修利犍陀（Surya-kanta，日光明神）五神，在佛陀灭度后经常守护坟墓和塔，不让邪恶的人破坏。如果有人破坏，应当知道正法将要灭亡，所以才会这样。’）。东北角的天王名叫提头赖吒（Dhṛtarāṣṭra，持国天），统领乾闼婆（Gandharva，香神）和毗舍阇（Piśāca，食血鬼）众，住在东弗婆提洲（Pūrvavideha）。《大智论》说：‘四大天王都寿命九百万岁，各有九十一个儿子，都守护佛法。’这位天王统领四神军主，出自《灌顶经》，下文的配属与此相同。 戒坛第二层的基础，东面两阶各有二神；南阶道二神（南
English
English version: The foundation of the ordination platform is as solid as Vajra (diamond), hence the ten Vajras are positioned according to the steps. The great deities at the four corners of the lower level, namely Vajra warriors, Kumbhira (a Yaksha deity), and Samjñaya (a Yaksha general), guard the Buddha's stupas. Therefore, they stand firm at the four corners to protect the foundation. The deity at the southeast corner is named Vajrapani (also leading the great army of the Pañca division); the deity at the southwest corner is named Barihan (also leading the great army of Pañcaraksa); the king of deities at the northwest corner is named Kumbhira (also leading the great army of Bhatakila); the general of deities at the northeast corner is named Samjñaya (also leading the great army of Hemavata). On the lower level, the two steps on the south side have stairways: the eastern stairway (the deity on the east is named Firm Radiance, the deity on the west is named Sun Radiance); the western stairway (the deity on the east is named Sumeru Flower, the deity on the west is named Pure Cloud Sound). One stairway on the east side (the deity on the south is named Asura King, the deity on the north is named Victorious Light); one stairway on the west side (the deity on the south is named Tree Sound, the deity on the north is named Lion King). One stairway on the north side (the deity on the west is named Pure and Thick Light Treasury, the deity on the east is named Jeweled Crest Flower Light). The great deities at the four corners of the second level are the Four Heavenly Kings, who constantly protect the Buddha's Dharma and all sentient beings. They are not only concerned with the altar and stupa but also with the emotions of sentient beings. Therefore, it is necessary to create their images and arrange them according to the directions (according to the 'Consecration Sutra': 'The five Rakshasa spirits, the five hundred sons of the Hariti (demoness), as well as Maheśvara (Great Lord), Manibhadra (Virtuous Jewel Yaksha), and Surya-kanta (Sunlight God), constantly protect the tombs and stupas after the Buddha's Parinirvana, preventing evil people from destroying them. If someone destroys them, it should be known that the True Dharma is about to perish, and that is why it happens.'). The Heavenly King at the northeast corner is named Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Holder of the Realm), leading the Gandharvas (celestial musicians) and Piśācas (flesh-eating demons), residing in the eastern Pūrvavideha continent. The 'Mahaprajnaparamitaśāstra' says: 'The Four Heavenly Kings all have a lifespan of nine million years, and each has ninety-one sons, all of whom protect the Buddha's Dharma.' This king leads the four divine army commanders, as stated in the 'Consecration Sutra,' and the following assignments are the same as this. On the second level of the ordination platform's base, each of the two steps on the east side has two deities; the two deities on the south stairway (south --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
神名地珂，北神名修涅多罗)，北阶道二神(南神名分那柯，北神名迦毗罗)。东南角天王名毗娄勒叉，领鸠槃茶及薜荔多众，住南阎浮提洲。所领四神军主，配南面二阶各二神，东阶道二神(东神名僧伽，西神名优波僧伽)，西阶道二神(东神名偿起罗，西神名栴陀那)。西南角天王名毗娄博叉，领诸龙及富多罗众，住西瞿耶尼洲。其所领四神军主，配西面二阶各二神，南阶道二神(南神名诃利，北神名诃利枳舍)，北阶道二神(南神名波罗赴，北神名冰伽罗)。西北角天王名毗沙门，领夜叉及罗刹众，住北郁单越洲；多来阎浮提，其王手中掌擎佛塔，古佛舍利在中。佛在时，令其持行，所在作护，佛法久固。又令天王威德势力领四神军主，配北面一阶边各二神，西边二神(一名陀罗那、二名阿罗难陀)，东边二神(一名郁庾伽波罗、二名别他那)。依《贤愚经》，此等鬼神皆名夜叉，形色青黑，眼赤如血，钩牙上出，头发悉竖，火从口出。经虽如此，及论显相，义须别态，不可一像。其第二层上，四面七阶道头各有二神，则十六也！必须其名，可如《灌顶经》。四天王所部诸神，随名便配，且存前数，何由可尽其数量也！ 两层色道内龛窟中神，经中大多，今依《孔雀王经》，明七星神，依方守护；其上层 现代汉语译本 神名地珂（Dike），北神名修涅多罗（Sunetala），北阶道二神（南神名分那柯（Punaka），北神名迦毗罗（Kapila））。东南角天王名毗娄勒叉（Virulakkha），统领鸠槃茶（Kumbhanda）及薜荔多（Pisaca）众，住在南阎浮提洲（Jambudvipa）。他所统领的四神军主，分别配置在南面二阶，每阶各二神，东阶道二神（东神名僧伽（Samgha），西神名优波僧伽（Upasamgha）），西阶道二神（东神名偿起罗（Samkirana），西神名栴陀那（Candana））。西南角天王名毗娄博叉（Virupakkha），统领诸龙及富多罗（Putana）众，住在西瞿耶尼洲（Godaniya）。他所统领的四神军主，分别配置在西面二阶，每阶各二神，南阶道二神（南神名诃利（Hari），北神名诃利枳舍（Harikesa）），北阶道二神（南神名波罗赴（Paravata），北神名冰伽罗（Pingala））。西北角天王名毗沙门（Vaisramana），统领夜叉（Yaksa）及罗刹（Raksa）众，住在北郁单越洲（Uttarakuru）；经常来到阎浮提（Jambudvipa），这位天王手中掌擎佛塔，古佛舍利就在其中。佛陀在世时，让他持塔行走，在各处作守护，使佛法长久稳固。又令天王以威德势力统领四神军主，分别配置在北面一阶的边上，每边各二神，西边二神（一名陀罗那（Dharana）、二名阿罗难陀（Ananda）），东边二神（一名郁庾伽波罗（Ugyakapala）、二名别他那（Vetala））。依据《贤愚经》，这些鬼神都名为夜叉（Yaksa），形色青黑，眼睛赤红如血，钩状的牙齿向上突出，头发全部竖立，火焰从口中喷出。经文虽然这样描述，以及论中所显示的形象，在意义上必须有所区别，不可采用同一种形象。第二层上面，四面七阶的道头各有二神，总共是十六位！必须知道他们的名字，可以参考《灌顶经》。四天王所统领的诸神，可以根据他们的名字进行配置，暂且保留前面的数量，又怎么能穷尽他们的数量呢！ 两层色道内龛窟中的神，经中大多有记载，现在依据《孔雀王经》，标明七星神，按照方位守护；至于上层
English
English version The divine name Dike, the northern divine name Sunetala, and two gods of the northern staircase (the southern god named Punaka, the northern god named Kapila). The heavenly king of the southeast corner is Virulakkha, leading the Kumbhanda and Pisaca multitudes, residing in the Jambudvipa continent. The four divine army leaders under his command are assigned to the two levels of the southern face, with two gods on each level, two gods of the eastern staircase (the eastern god named Samgha, the western god named Upasamgha), and two gods of the western staircase (the eastern god named Samkirana, the western god named Candana). The heavenly king of the southwest corner is Virupakkha, leading the dragons and Putana multitudes, residing in the Godaniya continent. The four divine army leaders under his command are assigned to the two levels of the western face, with two gods on each level, two gods of the southern staircase (the southern god named Hari, the northern god named Harikesa), and two gods of the northern staircase (the southern god named Paravata, the northern god named Pingala). The heavenly king of the northwest corner is Vaisramana, leading the Yaksa and Raksa multitudes, residing in the Uttarakuru continent; he often comes to Jambudvipa, and this king holds a Buddha pagoda in his hand, with the relics of ancient Buddhas inside. When the Buddha was alive, he ordered him to carry the pagoda and walk around, providing protection everywhere, so that the Buddha's Dharma would be long-lasting and stable. He also ordered the heavenly king to use his power and virtue to lead the four divine army leaders, assigning them to the sides of one level on the northern face, with two gods on each side, two gods on the western side (one named Dharana, the other named Ananda), and two gods on the eastern side (one named Ugyakapala, the other named Vetala). According to the 'Xianyu Jing', these ghosts and gods are all named Yaksa, with blue-black shapes, eyes as red as blood, hooked teeth protruding upwards, hair all standing up, and fire coming out of their mouths. Although the scriptures describe them in this way, and the images shown in the treatises, there must be differences in meaning, and the same image should not be used. On the second level above, there are two gods at the head of each of the seven staircases on each of the four sides, making a total of sixteen! It is necessary to know their names, which can be found in the 'Guan Ding Jing'. The gods under the command of the Four Heavenly Kings can be assigned according to their names, temporarily retaining the previous number, but how can their number be exhausted! The gods in the niches within the two-layered colored paths are mostly recorded in the scriptures. Now, according to the 'Peacock King Sutra', the seven star gods are marked, guarding according to the directions; as for the upper layer --------------------------------------------------------------------------------