四事品第三
Chapter 3: The Four Matters
「菩薩有四事法疾逮得三昧。何等為四？一者、所信無有能壞者，二者、精進無有能逮者，三者、所入智慧無有能及者，四者、常與善師從事；是為四。
"Bodhisattvas achieve deep concentration quickly through four practices. What are these four? First, having a faith that nothing can destroy. Second, having a diligence that no one can surpass. Third, having a wisdom that none can equal. Fourth, always associating with a good teacher. These are the four."
「菩薩復有四事疾得是三昧。何等為四？一者、不得有世間思想，如指相彈頃三月；二者、不得臥出三月，如指相彈頃；三者、經行不得休息、不得坐三月，除其飯食左右；四者、為人說經不得望人衣服、飲食；是為四。
"Moreover, there are four practices by which a bodhisattva can swiftly attain this samadhi. What are these four? First, for three months, as brief as a snap of the fingers, they must avoid worldly thoughts. Second, for three months, as brief as a snap of the fingers, they must not sleep lying down. Third, for three months, they must practice walking meditation without resting or sitting, except for eating and necessary moments. Fourth, when teaching the Dharma to others, they must not expect clothing or food in return. These are the four."
「菩薩復有四事疾得是三昧。何等為四？一者、合會人至佛所，二者、合會人使聽經，三者、不嫉妬，四者、教人學佛道；是為四。
"Furthermore, there are four things that help Bodhisattvas quickly attain this samadhi. What are those four? First, bringing people together to visit the Buddha; second, gathering people to listen to teachings; third, not being jealous; and fourth, teaching others to follow the Buddha's path. These are the four."
「菩薩復有四事疾得是三昧。何等為四？一者、作佛形像、若作畫，用是三昧故；二者、用是三昧故，持好疋素令人寫是三昧；三者、教自貢高人內佛道中；四者、常護佛法；是為四。」
"The Bodhisattva can quickly attain this samadhi through four practices. What are these four?
First, by creating or painting an image of the Buddha with the intention rooted in this samadhi. Second, by providing excellent materials and having others transcribe this samadhi out of devotion to it. Third, by guiding arrogant people into the path of enlightenment. Fourth, by always protecting and preserving the Buddha’s teachings.
These are the four."
時佛說偈而歎曰：「常當樂信於佛法，誦經念空莫中止，精進除睡臥，三月莫得懈。
At that time, the Buddha spoke these verses and praised: "Always take joy in faith in the Dharma, Recite the sutras and meditate on emptiness without stopping. Diligently cast off drowsiness and lying down— Do not slacken for three months."
「坐說經時安諦受學極當廣遠，若有供養、饋遺者莫得喜，無所貪慕得經疾。佛者，色如金光，身有三十二相，一相有百福功德，端政如天金成作。過去佛、當來佛悉豫自歸、今現在佛皆於人中最尊，常念供養。當供養於佛，花香、擣香、飯食具足；當持善意，用是故三昧離不遠；持常鼓樂、倡伎樂於佛心，常當娛樂。
"When seated and teaching the sutras, receive the truth with peace of mind and study it deeply and broadly. If there are those who make offerings or give gifts, do not become overjoyed. Without greed or attachment, you will grasp the sutras quickly.
The Buddha's form shines like golden light. His body possesses thirty-two marks, each mark born from a hundred merits and virtues. His majestic appearance is like celestial gold brought into being. All the past Buddhas, all the future Buddhas have already taken refuge in him; all the present Buddhas are the most honored among humankind. Always remember to make offerings.
You should make offerings to the Buddha—with flowers, incense, ground incense, and food in abundance. Maintain kind intentions. For this reason, Samadhi will not be far from you. Always hold joy in your heart for the Buddha—with drums, music, and song—let this be your constant delight."
「為求是三昧者當作佛像，種種具足、種種姝好，面目如金光。求是三昧者，所施常當自樂與，持戒當清潔高行，棄捐懈怠，疾得是三昧不久。瞋恚不生，常行於慈心、常行悲哀、等心無所憎惡，今得是三昧不久。極慈於善師，視當如佛，瞋、恚、嫉、貪不得有，於經中施不得貪。如是教當堅持，諸經法悉當隨是入，是為諸佛之道徑。如是行者，今得三昧不久。」
To seek this Samadhi, one should create an image of the Buddha, complete in every detail and beautiful in appearance, with a face like golden light.
Those who seek this Samadhi should give joyfully and willingly. They should uphold pure precepts and live with high moral conduct, letting go of laziness. Then they will quickly attain this Samadhi.
Do not give rise to anger. Always practice loving-kindness and compassion, maintaining an equal mind with no hatred or aversion toward anyone. Then you will soon gain this Samadhi.
Be extremely kind to your virtuous teacher, regarding them as you would the Buddha. Do not allow anger, hatred, jealousy, or greed to arise. When studying the scriptures, do not be possessive of your knowledge.
Follow these teachings and hold firmly to them. All the teachings of the scriptures should be understood through this path. This is the way of all Buddhas. One who practices in this way will soon attain this Samadhi.
佛告颰陀和：「如是等菩薩當慈心常樂於善師所，視師當如佛，悉具足承事。欲書是三昧經時、若欲學時，菩薩敬師如是。颰陀和！菩薩於善師有瞋恚、有持善師短、視善師不如佛者，得三昧難。譬如，颰陀和！菩薩明眼人夜半視星宿，見星其眾多。如是，颰陀和！菩薩持佛威神於三昧中立，東向視見若干百佛、若干千佛、若干萬佛、若干億佛；如是十方等悉見諸佛。」
The Buddha told Bhadrapāla: "Thus these bodhisattvas should maintain a compassionate heart and always take joy in their good teacher. They should regard their teacher as they would the Buddha, fully and completely serving and honoring them. When they wish to copy this Samādhi Sutra, or when they wish to study it, they should respect their teacher in this way. Bhadrapāla! If a bodhisattva harbors anger or resentment toward their good teacher, seeks out their teacher’s faults, or regards their teacher as inferior to the Buddha, it will be difficult for them to attain this samādhi."
"For example, Bhadrapāla, it is like a person with clear vision looking at the stars at midnight—they see countless stars. In the same way, Bhadrapāla, a bodhisattva supported by the Buddha’s spiritual power, while abiding in this samādhi, gazing eastward, will see many hundreds of Buddhas, many thousands of Buddhas, many tens of thousands of Buddhas, many hundreds of millions of Buddhas. In the same way, in all ten directions, they will likewise see all the Buddhas."
佛告颰陀和：「是菩薩如佛眼悉知悉見。如是，颰陀和！是菩薩欲得今現在諸佛悉在前立三昧，布施、當具足持戒，如是忍辱、精進、一心、智慧、度脫智慧，身悉具足。」
The Buddha said to Bhadrapāla: "This bodhisattva sees and knows all things just as clearly as if with the Buddha's own eyes. Know this, Bhadrapāla: if a bodhisattva wishes to attain the samādhi known as 'All Present Buddhas Standing Before [the Practitioner],' they should practice generosity, uphold ethical conduct with fullness, practice patience with equal fullness, and similarly apply diligent effort, focused concentration, wisdom, and the perfect wisdom that leads to liberation. They must bring all of these to complete fulfillment within themselves."
時佛歎曰：「如淨眼人夜半上向視星宿不可計，晝日思念悉見。菩薩如是逮得三昧者，見不可復計百千佛，從三昧中覺以悉念見，自恣為諸弟子說。」
佛言：「如我眼清淨，常見於世間，菩薩如是得三昧，以見不可復計佛，見佛不視身相，但視十種力。不如世間人有貪，消滅諸毒以，清淨不復想，菩薩逮功德如是。聞是經，遵是經如泥洹；聞是法空空，無有恐怖。我當作是說經，用眾人民故皆令得佛道。」
佛言：「如我比丘阿難黠慧，聞經即受持，菩薩如是逮得是三昧以，聞不可計經卷悉受持。」
佛言：「如阿彌陀佛剎諸菩薩，常見不可計佛。如是，菩薩得三昧以，常見不可計佛，所信常有哀心，譬如渴者欲得飲。常有極大慈、棄捐世俗事、常樂持經施，用是故清淨，得三昧不久。」