妙法蓮華經提婆達多品第十二
Chapter 12: Devadatta
爾時佛告諸菩薩及天人四眾：「吾於過去無量劫中，求法華經，無有懈惓。於多劫中常作國王，發願求於無上菩提，心不退轉。為欲滿足六波羅蜜，勤行布施，心無悋惜，象、馬、七珍、國、城、妻、子，奴婢、僕從，頭、目、髓、腦，身、肉、手、足，不惜軀命。時世人民壽命無量，為於法故，捐捨國位，委政太子，擊鼓宣令四方求法：『誰能為我說大乘者，吾當終身供給走使。』時有仙人來白王言：『我有大乘，名妙法華經。若不違我，當為宣說。』王聞仙言，歡喜踊躍，即隨仙人，供給所須——採菓、汲水、拾薪、設食，乃至以身而為床座——身心無惓，于時奉事。經於千歲，為於法故，精勤給侍，令無所乏。」
At that time, the Buddha addressed the bodhisattvas and the fourfold assembly of gods and humans: "In past immeasurable eons, I sought the Lotus Sutra without ever growing weary. For many eons, I was often born as a king, vowing to attain supreme enlightenment, my resolve never turning back. In order to fulfill the six perfections, I diligently practiced generosity, never clinging or begrudging—elephants, horses, the seven treasures, kingdoms, cities, wives, children, servants, attendants, my head, eyes, marrow, brain, flesh, hands, and feet—I did not spare even my own body or life. At that time, people lived for immeasurably long lifespans. For the sake of the Dharma, I renounced my royal throne, entrusted the governance to the crown prince, and had drums beaten to proclaim throughout the four directions: 'Whoever can teach me the Great Vehicle, I will serve them for the rest of my life.'
Then a sage came and said to the king: 'I possess the Great Vehicle, called the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra. If you do not oppose me, I shall expound it for you.' Hearing the sage's words, the king was overjoyed and leapt with delight. He immediately followed the sage, providing for all his needs—gathering fruit, drawing water, collecting firewood, preparing meals, and even using his own body as a seat—never wearying in body or mind, serving him respectfully. For a thousand years, for the sake of the Dharma, he diligently attended and served, ensuring the sage lacked for nothing."
爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：
Then the World-Honored One, wishing to restate this meaning, proclaimed verses, saying:
「我念過去劫， 為求大法故，
雖作世國王， 不貪五欲樂。
搥鍾告四方， 誰有大法者，
若為我解說， 身當為奴僕。
時有阿私仙， 來白於大王：
『我有微妙法， 世間所希有。
若能修行者， 吾當為汝說。』
時王聞仙言， 心生大喜悅，
即便隨仙人， 供給於所須，
採薪及菓蓏， 隨時恭敬與，
情存妙法故， 身心無懈惓。
普為諸眾生， 勤求於大法，
亦不為己身， 及以五欲樂。
故為大國王， 勤求獲此法，
遂致得成佛， 今故為汝說。」
"I recall a past age, when seeking the supreme Dharma, Though I was a worldly king, I craved not the pleasures of the senses. I struck the bell and proclaimed to all lands: 'Who possesses the great Dharma? If you can explain it to me, I will become your servant.'
Then the sage Asita came and said to the king: 'I have a subtle and wondrous Dharma, rare in this world. If you can practice it, I will teach it to you.'
Hearing the sage's words, the king's heart was filled with great joy. He immediately followed the sage, providing for all his needs— gathering firewood, fruits, and melons, offering respect at all times. His mind fixed on the wondrous Dharma, he never wearied in body or spirit.
For the sake of all beings, he diligently sought the great Dharma, not for his own sake, nor for the pleasures of the senses. Thus, as a great king, through earnest seeking he obtained this Dharma, and thereby attained Buddhahood. This is why I now tell you."
佛告諸比丘：「爾時王者，則我身是；時仙人者，今提婆達多是。由提婆達多善知識故，令我具足六波羅蜜，慈悲喜捨，三十二相，八十種好，紫磨金色，十力、四無所畏、四攝法、十八不共神通道力，成等正覺，廣度眾生，皆因提婆達多善知識故。」
告諸四眾：「提婆達多却後過無量劫，當得成佛，號曰天王如來、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。世界名天道。時天王佛住世二十中劫，廣為眾生說於妙法，恒河沙眾生得阿羅漢果，無量眾生發緣覺心，恒河沙眾生發無上道心，得無生忍，至不退轉。時天王佛般涅槃後，正法住世二十中劫。全身舍利起七寶塔，高六十由旬，縱廣四十由旬，諸天人民，悉以雜華、末香、燒香、塗香，衣服、瓔珞、幢幡、寶蓋，伎樂、歌頌，禮拜供養七寶妙塔。無量眾生得阿羅漢果，無量眾生悟辟支佛，不可思議眾生發菩提心，至不退轉。」
He then addressed the entire assembly: "Devadatta, after countless eons, will attain Buddhahood. He shall be called the Tathagata Heavenly King, Worthy of Offerings, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone, Understander of the World, Unsurpassed Leader, Trainer of People, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One. His world will be named the Heavenly Path. The Buddha Heavenly King will dwell in the world for twenty intermediate kalpas, extensively expounding the wondrous Dharma for living beings. Beings as numerous as the sands of the Ganges will attain the fruit of Arhatship, immeasurable beings will arouse the mind for Pratyekabuddhahood, and beings as numerous as the sands of the Ganges will arouse the unsurpassed mind for enlightenment, attaining the patient acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas and reaching the stage of non-retrogression.
After the Buddha Heavenly King enters parinirvana, his true Dharma will remain in the world for twenty intermediate kalpas. A whole-body relic stupa of seven treasures, sixty yojanas high and forty yojanas wide, will be erected. Gods and humans will all make offerings to this wondrous seven-treasure stupa with assorted flowers, powdered incense, burning incense, fragrant paste, clothing, necklaces, banners, canopies, music, songs, and reverent worship. Immeasurable beings will attain the fruit of Arhatship, immeasurable beings will realize Pratyekabuddhahood, and inconceivable numbers of beings will arouse the mind for enlightenment, reaching the stage of non-retrogression."
佛告諸比丘：「未來世中，若有善男子、善女人，聞妙法華經提婆達多品，淨心信敬不生疑惑者，不墮地獄、餓鬼、畜生，生十方佛前，所生之處，常聞此經。若生人天中，受勝妙樂，若在佛前，蓮華化生。」
The Buddha addressed the assembly of monks: "In future ages, if any virtuous man or woman hears the Devadatta Chapter of the Lotus Sutra with a pure heart, with faith and reverence, and without giving rise to doubt, they will not fall into the hells, the realm of hungry ghosts, or the animal realm. They will be reborn in the presence of the Buddhas of the ten directions, and wherever they are born, they will always hear this sutra. If they are born among humans or devas, they will experience sublime and wonderful bliss. If they are born before a Buddha, they will be born by transformation upon a lotus flower."
於時下方多寶世尊所從菩薩，名曰智積，白多寶佛：「當還本土。」釋迦牟尼佛告智積曰：「善男子！且待須臾。此有菩薩，名文殊師利，可與相見，論說妙法，可還本土。」
At that time, a bodhisattva named Wisdom Accumulation, who had accompanied the Buddha Many Jewels from the world below, said to Many Jewels, "It is time for us to return to our own land."
The Buddha Shakyamuni then said to Wisdom Accumulation, "Good man, please wait a moment. Here is the bodhisattva Manjushri. You should meet him, discuss the profound Dharma together, and then return to your land."
爾時文殊師利坐千葉蓮華，大如車輪——俱來菩薩亦坐寶蓮華——從於大海娑竭羅龍宮自然踊出，住虛空中，詣靈鷲山，從蓮華下，至於佛所，頭面敬禮二世尊足。修敬已畢，往智積所，共相慰問，却坐一面。
At that time, Manjushri, seated on a thousand-petaled lotus as large as a chariot wheel—accompanied by other bodhisattvas also seated on jeweled lotuses—naturally emerged from the great ocean, from the palace of the Dragon King Sagara. They rose into the sky, approached Vulture Peak, descended from their lotuses, and came before the Buddha. With heads bowed, they reverently paid homage at the feet of the World-Honored One. After completing their respects, they went to Wisdom Accumulation, exchanged greetings, and then sat down to one side.
智積菩薩問文殊師利：「仁往龍宮，所化眾生，其數幾何？」
The Bodhisattva Wisdom Accumulation asked Manjushri, "Virtuous one, when you went to the Dragon Palace, how many beings did you guide?"
文殊師利言：「其數無量，不可稱計，非口所宣，非心所測，且待須臾，自當有證。」所言未竟，無數菩薩坐寶蓮華，從海踊出，詣靈鷲山，住在虛空。此諸菩薩，皆是文殊師利之所化度，具菩薩行，皆共論說六波羅蜜。本聲聞人，在虛空中說聲聞行，今皆修行大乘空義。文殊師利謂智積曰：「於海教化，其事如是。」
Manjushri replied, "Their number is beyond measure, beyond counting, beyond what words can express or the mind can fathom. Wait but a moment, and you will witness it yourself."
Before he had finished speaking, countless bodhisattvas seated on jeweled lotus blossoms emerged from the ocean and approached Vulture Peak, abiding in the sky. These bodhisattvas had all been guided and taught by Manjushri. They were fully established in the bodhisattva practices and were all discussing the Six Perfections. Those who had originally been disciples of the voice-hearer path, now abiding in the sky, spoke of the practices of the voice-hearer, yet they were all now cultivating the profound meaning of emptiness in the Great Vehicle.
Manjushri said to Wisdom Accumulation, "This is how the teaching and transformation in the ocean has been."
爾時智積菩薩以偈讚曰：
Then, the Bodhisattva Wisdom Accumulation praised in verse, saying:
「大智德勇健， 化度無量眾，
今此諸大會， 及我皆已見。
演暢實相義， 開闡一乘法，
廣導諸眾生， 令速成菩提。」
"With great wisdom, virtue, and courage, You have guided countless beings.
Now, in this great assembly, I have witnessed it all myself.
You expound the truth of reality, Revealing the One Vehicle.
Guiding all beings widely, You lead them swiftly to Enlightenment."
文殊師利言：「我於海中，唯常宣說妙法華經。」
Manjushri said, "In the ocean, I have always taught only the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra."
智積問文殊師利言：「此經甚深微妙，諸經中寶，世所希有。頗有眾生，勤加精進，修行此經，速得佛不？」
Zhi Ji asked Manjushri, "This scripture is profoundly subtle and wondrous, a treasure among all teachings, rare in this world. Are there beings who, through diligent and vigorous practice of this scripture, can swiftly attain Buddhahood?"
文殊師利言：「有娑竭羅龍王女，年始八歲，智慧利根，善知眾生諸根行業，得陀羅尼，諸佛所說甚深祕藏，悉能受持。深入禪定，了達諸法，於剎那頃發菩提心，得不退轉，辯才無礙。慈念眾生、猶如赤子，功德具足，心念口演，微妙廣大，慈悲仁讓，志意和雅，能至菩提。」
Manjushri replied, "There is the daughter of the Dragon King Sāgara. She is only eight years old, yet she possesses sharp wisdom and keen faculties. She understands the dispositions and actions of all beings, has attained dhāraṇī, and is able to receive and uphold the profound, hidden treasury of teachings spoken by the Buddhas. She has entered deep meditative concentration, fully comprehends all phenomena, and in a single instant, gave rise to the mind of enlightenment, attaining the stage of non-retrogression and unimpeded eloquence. She cherishes all beings as if they were her own children. Endowed with perfect virtues, her thoughts and words are subtle, vast, compassionate, benevolent, and gentle. Her resolve is harmonious and refined, and she is capable of reaching perfect enlightenment."
智積菩薩言：「我見釋迦如來，於無量劫難行苦行，積功累德，求菩提道，未曾止息。觀三千大千世界，乃至無有如芥子許非是菩薩捨身命處，為眾生故，然後乃得成菩提道。不信此女於須臾頃、便成正覺。」
The Bodhisattva Wisdom Accumulation said, "I have witnessed Shakyamuni Tathagata, through countless kalpas of arduous and painful practices, accumulating merit and virtue, seeking the path to enlightenment, never ceasing. I have observed that throughout the three thousand great thousand worlds, there is not even a place as small as a mustard seed where he did not sacrifice his body and life for the sake of sentient beings. Only after all this did he attain the path of enlightenment. I cannot believe that this woman could achieve perfect enlightenment in a mere instant."
言論未訖，時龍王女忽現於前，頭面禮敬，却住一面，以偈讚曰：
Before he had finished speaking, the dragon king's daughter suddenly appeared before him. She bowed in reverence, then stepped aside and praised him with a verse:
「深達罪福相， 遍照於十方，
微妙淨法身， 具相三十二，
以八十種好， 用莊嚴法身。
天人所戴仰， 龍神咸恭敬，
一切眾生類， 無不宗奉者。
又聞成菩提， 唯佛當證知，
我闡大乘教， 度脫苦眾生。」
"Deeply understanding the nature of sin and merit, His light shines throughout the ten directions. His subtle, pure Dharma-body Manifests the thirty-two marks, Adorned with eighty excellent characteristics, Perfectly adorning his Dharma-body. He is revered by gods and dragons alike, And all beings pay him homage. I have heard of his attainment of enlightenment— Only a Buddha can truly know this. I now proclaim the Great Vehicle teaching To liberate suffering beings."
時舍利弗語龍女言：「汝謂不久得無上道，是事難信。所以者何？女身垢穢，非是法器，云何能得無上菩提。佛道懸曠，經無量劫勤苦積行，具修諸度，然後乃成。又女人身猶有五障：一者、不得作梵天王，二者、帝釋，三者、魔王，四者、轉輪聖王，五者、佛身。云何女身速得成佛？」
At that time, Shariputra said to the Dragon Girl, "You claim that you will soon attain supreme enlightenment—this is hard to believe. Why? A woman’s body is impure and unfit to be a vessel for the Dharma. How could she attain supreme awakening? The path to Buddhahood is vast and distant, requiring countless eons of diligent practice, accumulating merits, and perfecting all virtues before one can achieve it. Moreover, a woman’s body is hindered by five obstacles: she cannot become a Brahma King, a Sakra, a Mara King, a Wheel-Turning Sage King, or a Buddha. How then could a woman swiftly attain Buddhahood?"
爾時龍女有一寶珠，價直三千大千世界，持以上佛。佛即受之。龍女謂智積菩薩、尊者舍利弗言：「我獻寶珠，世尊納受，是事疾不？」
At that moment, the dragon girl possessed a precious pearl, worth as much as three thousand great thousand worlds, and she offered it to the Buddha. The Buddha accepted it immediately. The dragon girl then said to Bodhisattva Accumulated Wisdom and the Venerable Shariputra, "I offered the precious pearl, and the World-Honored One received it. Was this not swift?"
答言：「甚疾。」
He replied, "Extremely fast."
女言：「以汝神力，觀我成佛，復速於此。」
The woman replied, "By the power of your divine sight, behold me attaining Buddhahood—and even faster than this."
當時眾會，皆見龍女忽然之間變成男子，具菩薩行，即往南方無垢世界，坐寶蓮華，成等正覺，三十二相、八十種好，普為十方一切眾生演說妙法。
At that moment, the entire assembly witnessed the Dragon Girl suddenly transform into a male, fully embodying the conduct of a Bodhisattva. She then traveled to the Southern World of Stainless Purity, seated herself upon a jeweled lotus, and attained perfect enlightenment. With the thirty-two marks and eighty excellent characteristics, she began expounding the wondrous Dharma for all sentient beings throughout the ten directions.
爾時娑婆世界，菩薩、聲聞、天龍八部、人與非人，皆遙見彼龍女成佛，普為時會人天說法，心大歡喜，悉遙敬禮。無量眾生，聞法解悟，得不退轉；無量眾生，得受道記。無垢世界，六反震動；娑婆世界，三千眾生住不退地，三千眾生發菩提心而得受記。智積菩薩及舍利弗，一切眾會，默然信受。
At that moment, in the Saha world, the bodhisattvas, voice-hearers, the eightfold assembly of dragons and gods, humans and non-humans—all saw from afar the dragon girl attaining Buddhahood. She broadly preached the Dharma to the people and devas gathered there. Their hearts were filled with great joy, and all paid respects from afar.
Countless beings, hearing the Dharma, understood and awakened, attaining the stage of non-retrogression. Countless beings received predictions of future Buddhahood.
In the Stainless World, the earth shook in six ways. In the Saha world, three thousand beings abided in the stage of non-retrogression, and three thousand beings aroused the mind of Enlightenment and received predictions.
Bodhisattva Accumulated Wisdom, Shariputra, and the entire assembly silently accepted this in faith.