閻浮眾生業感品第四
Chapter 4: The Karmic Retribution of Sentient Beings in Jambudvīpa
爾時，地藏菩薩摩訶薩白佛言：「世尊！我承佛如來威神力故，遍百千萬億世界，分是身形，救拔一切業報眾生。若非如來大慈力故，即不能作如是變化。我今又蒙佛付囑，至阿逸多成佛已來，六道眾生，遣令度脫。唯然，世尊，願不有慮。」
At that time, the great Bodhisattva Dizang said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One, through the power of the Buddha's spiritual presence, I am able to manifest countless bodies across infinite worlds to rescue and liberate all beings suffering from karmic retribution. Without the Tathagata's great compassionate power, I could not perform such transformations. Now I have also received the Buddha's commission: until the time when Maitreya becomes a Buddha, I am to guide and deliver all beings in the six realms of existence. Therefore, World-Honored One, please have no concerns."
爾時，佛告地藏菩薩：「一切眾生，未解脫者，性識無定。惡習結業，善習結果，為善為惡，逐境而生。輪轉五道，暫無休息，動經塵劫，迷惑障難。如魚遊網，將是長流，脫入暫出，又復遭網。以是等輩，吾當憂念。汝既畢是往願，累劫重誓，廣度罪輩，吾復何慮？」
Then the Buddha spoke to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, saying: “All beings who have not yet attained liberation have unstable minds and fluctuating natures. Their bad habits lead to negative karma, and their good habits lead to positive results. Whether they do good or evil arises from the circumstances they encounter. They revolve endlessly through the five realms of existence, without a moment's rest, for countless eons, trapped in confusion and obstruction. They are like fish swimming in a net, drifting along the long current; even if they escape briefly, they soon become entangled again. Because of beings such as these, I feel deep concern. Now that you have fulfilled your past vows and solemn commitments made over many lifetimes, widely saving beings from their suffering — what more do I have to worry about?”
說是語時，會中有一菩薩摩訶薩，名定自在王，白佛言：「世尊！地藏菩薩累劫已來，各發何願？今蒙世尊，殷勤讚歎。唯願世尊，略而說之。」
As these words were spoken, a great Bodhisattva named Samādhiśrī (King of Steady Mindfulness) said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One—over the many eons, what vows has Earth Store Bodhisattva made? Now you, World-Honored One, praise him so earnestly. We only ask you, World-Honored One, to explain this briefly."
爾時，世尊告定自在王菩薩：「諦聽！諦聽！善思念之，吾當為汝，分別解說。乃往過去，無量阿僧祇那由他不可說劫，爾時有佛，號一切智成就如來——應供、正遍知、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊，其佛壽命六萬劫。未出家時，為小國王，與一隣國王為友，同行十善，饒益眾生。其隣國內，所有人民，多造眾惡。二王議計，廣設方便。一王發願，早成佛道，當度是輩，令使無餘。一王發願，若不先度罪苦，令是安樂，得至菩提，我終未願成佛。」
At that time, the World-Honored One said to the Bodhisattva Determining-King-of-Samadhi, "Listen carefully, listen carefully! Reflect on this well, for I will explain it to you in detail.
"In the distant past, countless, immeasurable, inconceivable eons ago, there was a Buddha named the Thus-Come-One Perfect Knowledge of All Things—the Worthy One, the All-Awakened One, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Supreme Being, the Tamer of Sentient Beings, the Teacher of Gods and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One. His lifespan was sixty thousand eons.
"Before he left home to become a monk, he was a minor king. He was friends with the king of a neighboring country, and together they practiced the ten virtuous actions, benefiting all beings. But in that neighboring king's land, many people committed evil deeds.
"The two kings discussed this and devised various skillful methods to help them. One king made a vow: 'May I attain Buddhahood swiftly, so that I may deliver all beings without exception.' The other king made a vow: 'If I cannot first liberate those burdened by suffering, bringing them peace and bliss, until they attain full enlightenment, I will not realize Buddhahood myself.'"
佛告定自在王菩薩：「一王發願早成佛者，即一切智成就如來是。一王發願永度罪苦眾生，未願成佛者，即地藏菩薩是。復於過去，無量阿僧祇劫，有佛出世，名清淨蓮華目如來，其佛壽命四十劫。像法之中，有一羅漢，福度眾生。因次教化，遇一女人，字曰光目，設食供養。羅漢問之：『欲願何等？』光目答言：『我以母亡之日，資福救拔，未知我母生處何趣？』羅漢愍之，為入定觀，見光目女母墮在惡趣，受極大苦。羅漢問光目言：『汝母在生，作何行業？今在惡趣，受極大苦。』光目答言：『我母所習，唯好食噉魚鼈之屬。所食魚鼈多食其子，或炒或煮，恣情食噉。計其命數，千萬復倍。尊者慈愍，如何哀救？』羅漢愍之，為作方便，勸光目言：『汝可志誠念清淨蓮華目如來，兼塑畫形像，存亡獲報。』
The Buddha addressed the Bodhisattva King of Meditative Mastery, saying: "The king who vowed to attain Buddhahood early is the Tathāgata of All-Wisdom Accomplishment. The king who vowed to forever deliver beings suffering from transgressions, and who has not yet aspired to Buddhahood, is the Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha.
Furthermore, in the past, countless asamkhyeya kalpas ago, a Buddha appeared in the world named the Tathāgata of Pure Lotus Eyes. The lifespan of that Buddha was forty kalpas. During the period of the Semblance Dharma, there was an arhat who brought blessings and deliverance to beings. In the course of his teachings, he encountered a woman named Bright Eyes, who offered him food. The arhat asked her: 'What is your wish?' Bright Eyes replied: 'On the day my mother died, I made offerings to accumulate merit for her liberation, yet I do not know into which realm my mother has been reborn.' The arhat, moved by compassion, entered meditative concentration to observe and saw that Bright Eyes' mother had fallen into an evil realm, undergoing extreme suffering. The arhat asked Bright Eyes: 'What actions did your mother engage in while alive? Now she is in an evil realm, enduring extreme suffering.' Bright Eyes replied: 'My mother's habit was solely to enjoy eating creatures such as fish and turtles. She consumed many fish and turtles, often eating their eggs, whether fried or boiled, indulging freely in their consumption. The number of lives taken is beyond measure. Venerable One, out of compassion, how can she be rescued?' The arhat, moved by compassion, provided a skillful means, advising Bright Eyes: 'You can single-mindedly and sincerely recite the name of the Tathāgata of Pure Lotus Eyes, and additionally sculpt or paint his image, so that both the living and the deceased may obtain benefit.'"
「光目聞已，即捨所愛，尋畫佛像，而供養之。復恭敬心，悲泣瞻禮。忽於夜後，夢見佛身，金色晃耀，如須彌山，放大光明，而告光目：『汝母不久，當生汝家，纔覺飢寒，即當言說。』
Guangmu, upon hearing this, immediately gave up her beloved possessions and promptly painted an image of the Buddha to make offerings. With a reverent heart, she wept with compassion and gazed upon it in worship. Suddenly, after midnight, she dreamed of the Buddha’s form, golden and radiant like Mount Sumeru, emitting great light, who told Guangmu: “Your mother will soon be reborn in your household; as soon as she feels hunger and cold, she will be able to speak.”
「其後家內，婢生一子，未滿三日，而乃言說，稽首悲泣，告於光目：『生死業緣，果報自受。吾是汝母，久處暗冥，自別汝來，累墮大地獄。蒙汝福力，方得受生。為下賤人，又復短命，壽年十三，更落惡道。汝有何計，令吾脫免？』光目聞說，知母無疑，哽咽悲啼，而白婢子：『既是我母，合知本罪，作何行業，墮於惡道？』婢子答言：『以殺害毀罵二業受報。若非蒙福，救拔吾難，以是業故，未合解脫。』光目問言：『地獄罪報，其事云何？』婢子答言：『罪苦之事，不忍稱說，百千歲中，卒白難竟。』
Afterwards, in the household, a maidservant gave birth to a son. Before three days had passed, the infant spoke, bowing his head in grief and weeping, addressing Guangmu: "The karma of birth and death, its retribution one receives oneself. I am your mother, long dwelling in darkness. Since parting from you, I have repeatedly fallen into the great hells. By the power of your blessings, I have now obtained rebirth. Born as a lowly person, and again short-lived, my lifespan is but thirteen years, after which I shall fall once more into the evil paths. What plan do you have to enable me to escape?"
Hearing this, Guangmu knew it was undoubtedly her mother. Choking with sobs and weeping sorrowfully, she said to the maidservant's child: "Since you are my mother, you should know your original offenses. What actions did you commit to fall into the evil paths?"
The child replied: "I received retribution for the two karmas of killing and slandering. Were it not for the blessings you transferred to rescue me from my suffering, due to these karmic deeds, I would not yet be eligible for liberation."
Guangmu asked: "What are the retributions of hell like?"
The child answered: "The suffering of these offenses is unbearable to describe. Even over hundreds of thousands of years, one could scarcely finish recounting them."
「光目聞已，啼淚號泣，而白空界：『願我之母，永脫地獄。畢十三歲，更無重罪，及歷惡道。十方諸佛，慈哀愍我，聽我為母所發廣大誓願：若得我母永離三塗，及斯下賤，乃至女人之身，永劫不受者，願我自今日後，對清淨蓮華目如來像前，却後百千萬億劫中，應有世界，所有地獄，及三惡道，諸罪苦眾生，誓願救拔，令離地獄惡趣、畜生、餓鬼等。如是罪報等人，盡成佛竟，我然後方成正覺。』
Upon hearing this, Guangmu wept bitterly and cried out to the heavens, saying, “May my mother be forever freed from the hells. After these thirteen years, may she never again bear grave offenses or pass through the evil destinies. O Buddhas of the ten directions, in your compassion and pity, hear the vast vow I make for my mother: If she may be forever liberated from the three wretched paths and from such lowly states, even from a woman’s body, never to undergo them for countless kalpas, then I vow that from this day onward, before the image of Pure Lotus Eye Thus Come One, for hundreds of thousands of millions of kalpas to come, in all worlds where there are hells and the three evil destinies, I shall pledge to rescue and deliver all suffering beings bound by their offenses, causing them to leave the hells, wretched realms, animal births, and hungry ghost existences. Only when such beings, burdened by karmic retribution, have all attained Buddhahood, will I then achieve complete enlightenment.”
「發誓願已，具聞清淨蓮華目如來而告之曰：『光目！汝大慈愍，善能為母發如是大願。吾觀汝母，十三歲畢，捨此報已，生為梵志，壽年百歲。過是報後，當生無憂國土，壽命不可計劫。後成佛果，廣度人天，數如恒河沙。』」
Having made this vow, she then heard the voice of the Pure Lotus-Eyed Thus Come One, who declared to her: "Light-Eyes, your great compassion and pity are profound, that you are able to make such a vast vow for your mother. I observe that your mother, after these thirteen years have passed, will leave this retribution-body and be reborn as a brahmin, with a lifespan of one hundred years. Beyond that retribution, she shall be born in the Land of No Worry, where her life will span immeasurable kalpas. Thereafter, she will attain Buddhahood, liberating multitudes of humans and devas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River."
佛告定自在王：「爾時羅漢福度光目者，即無盡意菩薩是。光目母者，即解脫菩薩是。光目女者，即地藏菩薩是。過去久遠劫中，如是慈愍發恒河沙願，廣度眾生。
The Buddha told King of Steadfast Self-Mastery: “At that time, the Arhat who compassionately guided Bright-Eye was none other than the Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intention. Bright-Eye’s mother was none other than the Bodhisattva Liberation. And Bright-Eye herself was none other than the Bodhisattva Earth Treasury. In eons long past, this Bodhisattva made countless vows, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, out of such compassion and care, to extensively liberate all beings.
「未來世中，若有男子女人，不行善者，行惡者，乃至不信因果者，邪婬妄語者，兩舌惡口者，毀謗大乘者，如是諸業眾生，必墮惡趣。若遇善知識，勸令一彈指間歸依地藏菩薩，是諸眾生，即得解脫三惡道報。若能志心歸敬，及瞻禮讚歎，香華衣服，種種珍寶，或復飲食，如是奉事者，未來百千萬億劫中，常在諸天受勝妙樂。若天福盡，下生人間，猶百千劫，常為帝王，能憶宿命因果本末。定自在王，如是地藏菩薩，有如此不可思議大威神力，廣利眾生，汝等諸菩薩，當記是經，廣宣流布。」
"In ages to come, if there are men or women who do not do good deeds but instead commit evil acts—those who deny the law of cause and effect, engage in immoral conduct and lies, practice slander and harsh speech, or revile the Great Vehicle—all such beings will inevitably fall into the lower realms of existence. However, if they meet a good spiritual guide who encourages them, even for a single moment, to take refuge in Earth Store Bodhisattva, these beings will immediately be freed from retribution in the three evil paths. Furthermore, if they sincerely devote themselves to Earth Store Bodhisattva—paying homage, praising, making offerings of incense, flowers, clothing, precious treasures, or even food and drink—then for hundreds of thousands of millions of eons to come, they will enjoy sublime bliss in the heavenly realms. When their heavenly blessings are exhausted and they are reborn among humans, they will continue for hundreds of thousands of eons to be sovereign rulers, able to recall the causes and conditions of their past lives.
Steadily King, such is the inconceivable, vast, and majestic power of Earth Store Bodhisattva to benefit countless beings. All you bodhisattvas should remember this scripture and spread it widely."
定自在王白佛言：「世尊！願不有慮。我等千萬億菩薩摩訶薩，必能承佛威神，廣演是經於閻浮提，利益眾生。」
定自在王对佛陀说："世尊！请不必挂虑。我们成千上万的伟大菩萨，必定能凭借佛陀的慈悲威德，在人间广泛弘扬这部经典，让一切众生获得利益。"
定自在王菩薩白世尊已，合掌恭敬，作禮而退。
"After the Bodhisattva King of Samadhi Freedom had spoken to the World-Honored One, he joined his palms, paid his respects with reverence, bowed, and withdrew."
爾時，四方天王，俱從座起，合掌恭敬，白佛言：「世尊！地藏菩薩於久遠劫來，發如是大願，云何至今，猶度未絕，更發廣大誓言？唯願世尊，為我等說。」
At that time, the Four Heavenly Kings rose from their seats, joined their palms, and respectfully said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, Earth Store Bodhisattva has made such great vows for countless eons. Why, up to now, has he still not finished saving beings, and why does he make even more extensive vows? We only wish that the World-Honored One would explain this for us."
佛告四天王：「善哉！善哉！吾今為汝，及未來現在天人眾等，廣利益故，說地藏菩薩於娑婆世界，閻浮提內，生死道中，慈哀救拔，度脫一切罪苦眾生方便之事。」
The Buddha said to the Four Heavenly Kings, "Excellent! Excellent! I will now speak to you, and for the benefit of all heavenly and human beings in the present and future, about how Earth Store Bodhisattva, in this Saha world and within the Jambudvipa continent, compassionately rescues and delivers all beings from suffering and sin in the paths of birth and death, skillfully liberating them."
四天王言：「唯然，世尊！願樂欲聞。」
The Four Heavenly Kings said, "Of course, World-Honored One. We would be delighted to hear it."
佛告四天王：「地藏菩薩久遠劫來，迄至于今，度脫眾生，猶未畢願。慈愍此世罪苦眾生，復觀未來無量劫中，因蔓不斷，以是之故，又發重願。如是菩薩，於娑婆世界，閻浮提中，百千萬億方便，而為教化。
The Buddha told the Four Heavenly Kings: "From immeasurable eons in the past up to the present, Earth-Treasure Bodhisattva has been liberating beings and has yet to fulfill all of his vows. Out of compassion for the world’s suffering beings, he also sees that the tangled causes and conditions in countless eons to come will continue endlessly. For this reason, he makes further, solemn vows. Thus, throughout this Saha world and especially in the human realm of Jambudvīpa, this Bodhisattva uses hundreds of thousands of skillful means to teach and guide living beings."
「四天王！地藏菩薩若遇殺生者，說宿殃短命報。若遇竊盜者，說貧窮苦楚報。若遇邪婬者，說雀鴿鴛鴦報。若遇惡口者，說眷屬鬪諍報。若遇毀謗者，說無舌瘡口報。若遇瞋恚者，說醜陋癃殘報。若遇慳悋者，說所求違願報。若遇飲食無度者，說飢渴咽病報。若遇畋獵恣情者，說驚狂喪命報。若遇悖逆父母者，說天地災殺報。若遇燒山林木者，說狂迷取死報。若遇前後父母惡毒者，說返生鞭撻現受報。若遇網捕生雛者，說骨肉分離報。若遇毀謗三寶者，說盲聾瘖瘂報。若遇輕法慢教者，說永處惡道報。若遇破用常住者，說億劫輪迴地獄報。若遇污梵誣僧者，說永在畜生報。若遇湯火斬斫傷生者，說輪迴遞償報。若遇破戒犯齋者，說禽獸飢餓報。若遇非理毀用者，說所求闕絕報。若遇吾我貢高者，說卑使下賤報。若遇兩舌鬪亂者，說無舌百舌報。若遇邪見者，說邊地受生報。
Four Heavenly Kings, the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha explains that:
- Those who kill will be reborn with a short life and experience the retribution of past calamities. - Those who steal will suffer from poverty and hardship. - Those who commit sexual misconduct will be reborn as sparrows, doves, or mandarin ducks. - Those who use harsh language will have quarreling families. - Those who slander others will be born mute or with mouth sores. - Those who harbor anger will become ugly and deformed. - Those who are stingy will find their wishes never fulfilled. - Those who are gluttonous and drink excessively will suffer from hunger, thirst, and throat diseases. - Those who hunt recklessly will die in terror or madness. - Those who disobey their parents will be killed by natural disasters. - Those who set forests on fire will die in confusion and self-destruction. - Those who are cruel to step-children will be beaten in their next life. - Those who trap and catch young animals will endure separation from their loved ones. - Those who slander the Three Jewels will be born blind, deaf, or mute. - Those who disrespect the Dharma and teachings will remain in evil realms forever. - Those who misuse monastic property will cycle through hell for countless eons. - Those who defile monastics or falsely accuse them will remain as animals forever. - Those who harm life with boiling water, fire, or knives will recompense these debts in endless cycles. - Those who break precepts or violate fasting vows will become starving animals. - Those who senselessly destroy belongings will have all their needs unfulfilled. - Those who are arrogant will be reborn in lowly servitude. - Those who create division with double-tongued speech will be born tongueless or with many tongues. - Those who hold wrong views will be reborn in remote border regions.
「如是等閻浮提眾生，身口意業，惡習結果，百千報應，今麁略說。如是等閻浮提眾生，業感差別，地藏菩薩百千方便，而教化之。是諸眾生，先受如是等報，後墮地獄，動經劫數，無有出期。是故汝等，護人護國，無令是諸眾業，迷惑眾生。」
"These beings in Jambudvipa create evil habits through their physical, verbal, and mental actions, which result in hundreds and thousands of karmic consequences. I have now explained these briefly. The differences in these beings' karmic responses are countless. With hundreds and thousands of skillful means, Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva teaches and transforms them. These beings first experience these retributions, then fall into the hells, where they remain for eons without a chance to escape. Therefore, you must protect people and their countries, and ensure that these karmic actions do not delude living beings."
四天王聞已，涕淚悲歎，合掌而退。
The Four Heavenly Kings, upon hearing this, wept with sorrow and compassion. They pressed their palms together and withdrew.