佛說放牛經
The Cattle-Tending Sutra
後秦龜茲國三藏鳩摩羅什譯
Translated by Kumārajīva, Tripitaka Master of Kucha, Later Qin Dynasty.
聞如是：
Thus have I heard:
一時，婆伽婆在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園。是時，佛告諸比丘：「有十一法，放牛兒不知放牛便宜，不曉養牛。何等十一？一者放牛兒不知色，二者不知相，三者不知摩刷，四者不知護瘡，五者不知作烟，六者不知擇道行，七者不知愛牛，八者不知何道渡水，九者不知逐好水草，十者𤛓牛不遺殘，十一者不知分別養可用不可用。如是十一事，放牛兒不曉養護其牛者，牛終不滋息，日日有減。比丘！不知行十一事，如放牛兒者，終不成沙門，此法中終不種法律根栽，無有葉枝覆蔭；不行十一事強為沙門者，死墮三惡道。何等比丘十一行？比丘不知色，不知相，應摩刷不知摩刷，應護瘡不知護瘡，應作烟不知作烟，不知擇道行，不知愛牛，不知何道渡水，不知食處，不知敬長老。
Once, the Blessed One was staying in the Jeta Grove, Anathapindika's Park near Shravasti. At that time, the Buddha said to the monks: "There are eleven things a cowherd who doesn't know how to tend cows properly will not practice. What are these eleven? First, the cowherd doesn't recognize the cows' color. Second, he doesn't recognize their markings. Third, he doesn't know how to groom them. Fourth, he doesn't know how to care for their sores. Fifth, he doesn't know how to build a smoke fire. Sixth, he doesn't know how to choose the right path. Seventh, he doesn't cherish the cows. Eighth, he doesn't know where to cross water. Ninth, he doesn't know how to find good grass and water. Tenth, he milks the cows without leaving anything for the calves. Eleventh, he doesn't know how to distinguish which cows can be used and which cannot. A cowherd who doesn't know how to handle these eleven matters properly will never see his herd prosper and grow; in fact, it will diminish day by day. Monks, any monk who doesn't practice eleven things is just like that cowherd. He will never truly achieve the spiritual life. In this teaching, he will never establish the roots of Dharma or discipline, and will have no shade or shelter. And if he nevertheless insists on being a monk without practicing these eleven things, after death he will fall into the three lower realms. So what are these eleven things a monk must practice? The monk who doesn't know appearance, doesn't know signs, doesn't know how to groom himself when he needs grooming, doesn't know how to tend his wounds when they need tending, doesn't know when to build a fire, doesn't choose the right path, doesn't cherish the teachings, doesn't know where to cross the river of suffering, doesn't know the right place to eat his spiritual food, and doesn't respect the elders."
「比丘！云何不知色？比丘！不知四大，不知四大所造色，比丘！如是不知。比丘！云何不知相？比丘！不知癡因緣相、不知黠因緣相。云何不知癡因緣相？比丘！不知黑緣，不知白緣，不知黑白緣。云何不知黠相？不知黑緣，不知白緣，不知白黑緣。比丘！如是不知相。比丘！云何應摩刷而不摩刷？比丘！設欲心發便樂著，不捨、不忘、不斷絕，起愚癡貪慳及餘惡心，盡懷不吐捨。如是，比丘！應摩刷而不摩刷也。比丘！云何應護瘡而不護瘡？比丘！見色起想、聞聲愛著，思想形體不知為惡，不護眼根、耳、鼻、舌、身、心，盡馳外塵而不能護。如是，比丘！應護瘡而不護瘡。云何，比丘！應作烟而不作烟？比丘！所學聞不知為人說。如是，比丘！應起烟而不起烟。云何，比丘！不知擇道行？比丘！不入直道行，行於非道。云何行非道？比丘！入婬女里及酒會博戲處。如是，比丘！為不知行道。云何比丘不知愛？比丘！講說法寶時，不至心愛樂聽。如是，比丘！為不知愛。云何，比丘！不知渡水？比丘！不知四諦。何等四諦？比丘！不知苦諦、苦習諦、苦盡諦、苦盡道諦。如是，比丘！為不知渡水。云何，比丘！不知食處？比丘！不知四意止。何等四意止？比丘！不知內觀身、外觀身、內外觀身，不知內觀痛、外觀痛、內外觀痛，不知內觀意、外觀意、內外觀意，不知內觀法、外觀法、內外觀法。如是，比丘！為不知食處。云何，比丘！不知食不盡？比丘！設為國王長者清信士女請食，設種種餚饌至心進上，比丘不知齊限，食已有餘復欲持歸。如是，比丘！為不知食不盡。云何，比丘！不知敬長老？比丘！恭敬供養之云何不知？設有長老比丘，久習道德學問廣博，小比丘不至心禮敬，見之不起不為避坐，輕慢調戲不以善心待。如是，比丘！不知敬長老。其有比丘，不知行十一法，於吾法中不應為沙門，不種法律根栽，無枝葉覆蔭皆自朽壞，不如還為白衣。若強為沙門者必入三惡道。
"Monks, what is it to not understand form? A monk does not understand the four great elements, nor does he understand forms derived from the four great elements. This is how one fails to understand form.
Monks, what is it to not understand signs? A monk does not understand the signs dependent on ignorance, nor the signs dependent on wisdom. What does it mean to not understand the signs dependent on ignorance? He does not understand the dark condition, nor the bright condition, nor the dark-and-bright condition. What does it mean to not understand the signs of wisdom? He does not understand the dark condition, nor the bright condition, nor the bright-and-dark condition. This is how one fails to understand signs.
Monks, what is it to fail to groom and brush when one should? When a desire arises, a monk clings to it with delight. He does not let it go, does not forget it, does not cut it off. He harbors ignorance, greed, miserliness, and other unwholesome thoughts, refusing to spit them out or abandon them. This, monks, is failing to groom and brush when one should.
Monks, what is it to fail to protect a wound when one should? Seeing a sight, a monk gives rise to attachment; hearing a sound, he clings to it. He dwells on the form of things without recognizing them as unwholesome. He does not guard the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind, but lets them all chase after external objects without restraint. This, monks, is failing to protect a wound when one should.
Monks, what is it to fail to make smoke when one should? A monk has learned and heard the teachings but does not teach them to others. This, monks, is failing to make smoke when one should.
Monks, what is it to not know how to choose a path? A monk does not walk the straight path but walks on wrong paths. What is walking on a wrong path? Visiting brothels, wine houses, and gambling dens. This, monks, is not knowing how to choose a path.
Monks, what is it to not know love? When the Dharma treasure is being explained, a monk does not listen with sincere love and delight. This, monks, is not knowing love.
Monks, what is it to not know how to cross the water? A monk does not know the Four Noble Truths. What are the Four Noble Truths? He does not know the truth of suffering, the truth of the origin of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, or the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering. This, monks, is not knowing how to cross the water.
Monks, what is it to not know the place of nourishment? A monk does not know the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. What are the Four Foundations of Mindfulness? He does not know how to observe the body internally, externally, or both internally and externally. He does not know how to observe feelings internally, externally, or both internally and externally. He does not know how to observe the mind internally, externally, or both internally and externally. He does not know how to observe phenomena internally, externally, or both internally and externally. This, monks, is not knowing the place of nourishment.
Monks, what is it to not know when food is not exhausted? When invited by a king, elder, or faithful layperson who offers various fine dishes with sincere devotion, a monk does not know his limit. After eating, he takes the leftover food to bring home. This, monks, is not knowing when food is not exhausted.
Monks, what is it to not know how to respect elders? What does it mean to not know how to offer respect and veneration? When there is an elder monk who has long cultivated virtue and is learned in the teachings, a junior monk does not pay him sincere respect. He does not rise to greet him or offer him a seat, treating him with contempt and playfulness rather than goodwill. This, monks, is not knowing how to respect elders.
If a monk does not practice these eleven things, he should not be considered a monastic in my teaching. He has not planted the roots of the Dharma and discipline, and will have no branches or shade to shelter others, but will instead rot away. It would be better for him to return to being a layperson. If he forcibly remains a monastic, he will surely fall into the three lower realms."
「比丘！知放牛兒十一行養護，其能使滋息。云何十一？此放牛兒為：知色，知相，摩刷，護瘡，起烟，擇道，渡水，愛牛，逐水草，𤛓知遺殘齊限多少，分別牛好惡，養視可用者。如是放牛者，便能養護增益其牛。」
"Monks, a cowherd who understands the eleven practices of cattle-raising can help the herd thrive and prosper. What are these eleven? A skilled cowherd knows: the color of each cow, recognizes individual markings, brushes and combs them, tends to their wounds, builds protective smoke, chooses the right paths, safely crosses waterways, loves and cares for the cattle, finds the best pasture and water, knows when and where to stop grazing for the day, and distinguishes good cows from bad ones to wisely care for the useful ones. By mastering these eleven methods, a cowherd can truly nurture and increase his herd."
佛於是頌曰：
The Buddha then spoke these verses:
「放牛兒審諦， 牛主有福德，
六頭牛六年， 成六十不減。
放牛兒聰明， 知分別諸相，
如此放牛兒， 先世佛所譽。
The cowherd examines carefully, The cow owner has virtue and merit; Six cows in six years, Grow to sixty without decrease.
The cowherd is wise, Able to discern all marks and signs; Such a cowherd as this, In former lives was praised by the Buddha.
「如是十一法，比丘當行，便能於是法中種法律根栽，枝葉茂盛覆蔭大地，不復朽壞。何等十一？比丘知色、知相、知摩刷、知覆瘡、知時作烟、知行道、知愛、知渡水、知食處、知不盡、知敬長老舊學耆艾恭敬供養。云何比丘知色？比丘！知四大造起色，如是，比丘！為知色。云何比丘知相？比丘！別癡別黠。云何癡？非所思而思、非所行而行、非所說而說，是為癡。云何為黠？思可思、行可行、說可說，是為黠。能別癡黠，是為知相。云何比丘應摩刷知摩刷？比丘！設生欲心能制遠避如吐惡見，設起瞋恚慳貪及餘諸惡，能制遠避如吐惡見。如是，比丘！應刷知刷。云何比丘應護瘡而護？比丘！眼見色不分別好惡、守護眼根不著外色、遠捨諸惡護於眼根，耳聽聲、鼻嗅香、舌嗜味、身貪細滑意多念，制不令著，護此諸根不染外塵如吐惡見。如是，比丘！為知護瘡。云何比丘時時放烟？比丘！如所學所聞所知，以是廣說，如是比丘為知放烟。云何比丘知行道？比丘行審諦八道，知不可行處，婬里、酒家、博戲處，終不妄入，如是比丘為知行道。云何比丘知愛？比丘！見說法寶時，至心聽受踊躍愛樂，如是比丘名為知愛。云何比丘知渡水處？比丘！知四諦。云何四諦？苦諦、苦習諦、苦盡諦、苦盡道諦。如是比丘為知渡水。云何比丘知食處？比丘！知四意止。云何四意止？比丘！觀內身、觀外身、觀內外身，觀內痛、觀外痛、觀內外痛，觀內意觀、外意觀、內外意，觀內法、觀外法、觀內外法，如是比丘為知食處。云何比丘知食不盡？比丘！若國王長者清信士女，以信樂心請於比丘，供養飲食種種餚饌，加敬進勸，比丘知節供身則止，思惟佛語：『施者雖豐，當自知限，不為盡受。』如是比丘知食不盡。云何比丘知敬長老舊學耆艾恭敬供養？比丘！當親近是輩禮敬供養，出入迎逆見來避坐，任力進上，勿以懈慢。如是比丘知，敬長老。比丘！能行是十一事者，於此法中種法律根栽枝葉滋茂，多所覆蔭清淨無垢。」
"These are the eleven practices a monk should cultivate. By doing so, he plants the roots of the Dharma in his life, allowing its branches and leaves to flourish, providing broad shade over the earth without ever withering. What are the eleven? A monk knows form, knows marks, knows how to groom, knows how to tend a wound, knows when to make smoke, knows the path, knows love, knows how to cross water, knows about food, knows moderation in receiving offerings, and knows how to respect and honor elders, the learned, and the venerable.
**How does a monk know form?** Monks! Understand that form is created by the four great elements. This is how a monk knows form.
**How does a monk know marks?** Monks! Distinguish between ignorance and wisdom. What is ignorance? Thinking what should not be thought, doing what should not be done, speaking what should not be spoken—this is ignorance. What is wisdom? Thinking what is worthy of thought, doing what is worthy of action, speaking what is worthy of speech—this is wisdom. Being able to distinguish ignorance from wisdom is how a monk knows marks.
**How does a monk know to groom when grooming?** Monks! If desire arises, restrain it and distance yourself from it, as if spitting out a harmful view. If anger, stinginess, greed, or other evils arise, restrain them and distance yourself, as if spitting out a harmful view. This is how a monk knows to groom.
**How does a monk know to tend a wound?** Monks! When seeing with the eyes, do not discriminate between pleasant and unpleasant; guard the eye faculty, do not cling to external forms, abandon all evil and protect the eye faculty. So too with hearing sounds with the ear, smelling scents with the nose, tasting flavors with the tongue, feeling tactile sensations with the body, and having many thoughts with the mind—restrain them, do not let them cling, protect these faculties from being tainted by external objects, as if spitting out a harmful view. This is how a monk knows to tend a wound.
**How does a monk know when to make smoke?** Monks! Share broadly whatever you have learned, heard, and known. This is how a monk knows to make smoke.
**How does a monk know the path?** Monks! Practice the Noble Eightfold Path with careful discernment. Know the places not to go: brothels, bars, gambling dens—never enter them recklessly. This is how a monk knows the path.
**How does a monk know love?** Monks! When hearing the Dharma treasure being taught, listen with focused attention, feeling joy and delight. This is what it means to know love.
**How does a monk know where to cross water?** Monks! Know the Four Noble Truths. What are the Four? The truth of suffering, the truth of the origin of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering. This is how a monk knows to cross water.
**How does a monk know about food?** Monks! Know the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. What are the four? Contemplate the body internally, externally, and both internally and externally; contemplate feelings internally, externally, and both; contemplate the mind internally, externally, and both; contemplate phenomena internally, externally, and both. This is how a monk knows about food.
**How does a monk know moderation in receiving offerings?** Monks! If a king, elder, or faithful layperson, with sincere faith, invites a monk and offers food and various delicacies, showing deep respect and encouragement, the monk should know moderation, take only enough to sustain the body, and reflect on the Buddha's words: 'Though the giver is generous, you should know your limits and not accept everything.' This is how a monk knows moderation in receiving offerings.
**How does a monk know to respect elders, the learned, and the venerable?** Monks! Draw near to such people, pay homage to them, welcome and see them off, give up your seat when they arrive, and offer what you can without laziness or negligence. This is how a monk knows to respect elders.
Monks! A monk who can practice these eleven things plants the roots of the Dharma in his life, causing its branches and leaves to flourish, providing vast shade, and remaining pure and undefiled."
爾時，世尊以偈頌曰：
At that time, the World-Honored One spoke in verse:
「有信精進學， 受食知節限，
恭敬於長老， 是行佛稱譽。
如此十一法， 比丘學是者，
晝夜定心意， 六年得羅漢。」
"Those who have faith and diligent effort in learning, Know the limits when receiving food, And show respect to their elders— Such conduct is praised by the Buddha.
These eleven principles, when a monk learns them, Will settle his mind both day and night— And in six years, he attains Arhatship."
諸比丘聞佛所說，歡喜受行。
When the monks heard what the Buddha had taught, they joyfully accepted and put it into practice.
佛說放牛經
The Cattle-Tending Sutra