---
title: "妙法蓮華經 · 17 分別功德品"
description: "妙法莲华经是大乘佛教重要经典，由鸠摩罗什于姚秦弘始八年（406年）译成汉文。该经共二十八品，以“开权显实”“会三归一”为核心思想，主张一切众生皆可成佛，强调佛陀教法的统一性与究竟性。经中通过大量譬喻故事，如“火宅喻”“化城喻”等，阐述一佛乘理念，被誉为“经中之王”。在汉传佛教中具有崇高地位，是天台宗根本经典，对中国佛教思想发展影响深远。现存版本以鸠摩罗什译本流传最广，文辞优美，义理深邃。"
url: "https://rushiwowen.co/en/r/cm9xd3txn00bnfs0wifxlfatk"
---

### 妙法蓮華經分別功德品第十七

爾時大會，聞佛說壽命劫數長遠如是，無量無邊阿僧祇眾生得大饒益。於時世尊告彌勒菩薩摩訶薩：「阿逸多！我說是如來壽命長遠時，六百八十萬億那由他恒河沙眾生，得無生法忍；復有千倍菩薩摩訶薩，得聞持陀羅尼門；復有一世界微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，得樂說無礙辯才；復有一世界微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，得百千萬億無量旋陀羅尼；復有三千大千世界微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，能轉不退法輪；復有二千中國土微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，能轉清淨法輪；復有小千國土微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，八生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有四四天下微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，四生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有三四天下微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，三生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有二四天下微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，二生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有一四天下微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，一生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有八世界微塵數眾生，皆發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。」

> At that time, the great assembly, hearing the Buddha speak of the lifespan of kalpas as being so immeasurably, boundlessly long, countless asamkhyeyas of beings obtained great benefit. Then the World-Honored One addressed the bodhisattva mahasattva Maitreya: "Ajita! When I spoke of the Tathagata's lifespan as being of such long duration, six hundred eighty thousand billion nayutas of Ganges' sands of beings attained the patient acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas. Furthermore, a thousand times that number of bodhisattva mahasattvas attained the dharani gate of hearing and retaining. Furthermore, bodhisattva mahasattvas as numerous as the dust motes of one world attained the unimpeded eloquence of joyful exposition. Furthermore, bodhisattva mahasattvas as numerous as the dust motes of one world attained hundreds of thousands of billions of immeasurable revolving dharani. Furthermore, bodhisattva mahasattvas as numerous as the dust motes of a three-thousand-great-thousand world became able to turn the irreversible Dharma wheel. Furthermore, bodhisattva mahasattvas as numerous as the dust motes of two thousand middle-sized lands became able to turn the pure Dharma wheel. Furthermore, bodhisattva mahasattvas as numerous as the dust motes of a small-thousand world shall attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in eight more births. Furthermore, bodhisattva mahasattvas as numerous as the dust motes of four four-continent worlds shall attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in four more births. Furthermore, bodhisattva mahasattvas as numerous as the dust motes of three four-continent worlds shall attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in three more births. Furthermore, bodhisattva mahasattvas as numerous as the dust motes of two four-continent worlds shall attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in two more births. Furthermore, bodhisattva mahasattvas as numerous as the dust motes of one four-continent world shall attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in one more birth. Furthermore, beings as numerous as the dust motes of eight worlds all aroused the mind of anuttara-samyak-sambodhi."

佛說是諸菩薩摩訶薩得大法利時，於虛空中，雨曼陀羅華、摩訶曼陀羅華，以散無量百千萬億眾寶樹下、師子座上諸佛，并散七寶塔中師子座上釋迦牟尼佛及久滅度多寶如來，亦散一切諸大菩薩及四部眾。又雨細末栴檀、沈水香等。於虛空中，天鼓自鳴，妙聲深遠。又雨千種天衣，垂諸瓔珞、真珠瓔珞、摩尼珠瓔珞、如意珠瓔珞，遍於九方。眾寶香爐燒無價香，自然周至，供養大會。一一佛上，有諸菩薩，執持幡蓋，次第而上，至于梵天。是諸菩薩，以妙音聲，歌無量頌，讚歎諸佛。

> At that time, when the Buddha proclaimed that these great bodhisattvas had obtained great Dharma benefits, from the sky rained down mandārava flowers and great mandārava flowers, which were scattered over the innumerable hundreds of thousands of millions of buddhas seated upon lion thrones beneath jeweled trees, and also scattered over Śākyamuni Buddha and the long-extinguished Prabhūtaratna Tathāgata seated upon lion thrones within the seven-jeweled stūpa, as well as over all the great bodhisattvas and the fourfold assembly. Moreover, fine powdered sandalwood and aloeswood incense rained down. In the sky, heavenly drums sounded of themselves, their marvelous tones deep and far-reaching. There also rained down a thousand kinds of heavenly garments, with strings of jewels hanging down—pearl necklaces, maṇi-jewel necklaces, wish-fulfilling jewel necklaces—spreading throughout the nine directions. Precious incense burners burned priceless incense, which naturally wafted everywhere, making offerings to the great assembly. Above each buddha there were bodhisattvas holding banners and canopies, ascending in succession up to the Brahma heavens. These bodhisattvas, with wonderful voices, sang innumerable hymns, praising all the buddhas.

爾時彌勒菩薩從座而起，偏袒右肩，合掌向佛，而說偈言：

> Then, the Bodhisattva Maitreya rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, placed his palms together, and facing the Buddha, spoke these verses:

「佛說希有法， 昔所未曾聞，世尊有大力， 壽命不可量。無數諸佛子， 聞世尊分別，說得法利者， 歡喜充遍身。或住不退地， 或得陀羅尼，或無礙樂說， 萬億旋總持。或有大千界， 微塵數菩薩，各各皆能轉， 不退之法輪。復有中千界， 微塵數菩薩，各各皆能轉， 清淨之法輪。復有小千界， 微塵數菩薩，餘各八生在， 當得成佛道。復有四三二， 如此四天下，微塵諸菩薩， 隨數生成佛。或一四天下， 微塵數菩薩，餘有一生在， 當成一切智。如是等眾生， 聞佛壽長遠，得無量無漏， 清淨之果報。復有八世界， 微塵數眾生，聞佛說壽命， 皆發無上心。世尊說無量， 不可思議法，多有所饒益， 如虛空無邊。雨天曼陀羅、 摩訶曼陀羅，釋梵如恒沙， 無數佛土來。雨栴檀沈水， 繽紛而亂墜，如鳥飛空下， 供散於諸佛。天鼓虛空中， 自然出妙聲，天衣千萬種， 旋轉而來下。眾寶妙香爐， 燒無價之香，自然悉周遍、 供養諸世尊。其大菩薩眾， 執七寶幡蓋，高妙萬億種， 次第至梵天。一一諸佛前， 寶幢懸勝幡，亦以千萬偈、 歌詠諸如來。如是種種事， 昔所未曾有，聞佛壽無量， 一切皆歡喜。佛名聞十方， 廣饒益眾生，一切具善根， 以助無上心。」

> "The Buddha proclaims the Dharma, rare and wondrous, Never before heard in ages past. The World-Honored One possesses great power, His life span is immeasurable. Countless Buddha-sons, Hearing the World-Honored One's exposition, Those who gain the benefit of the Dharma, Are filled with joy, pervading their entire bodies. Some abide on the stage of non-retrogression, Some attain dhāraṇī, Or unobstructed eloquence, With myriads of billions of revolving total retainers. Some, as numerous as the dust motes of a great-thousand world, Are each able to turn The irreversible wheel of the Dharma. Again, some, as numerous as the dust motes of a middling-thousand world, Are each able to turn The pure wheel of the Dharma. Again, some, as numerous as the dust motes of a small-thousand world, Have but eight more births remaining, And shall attain Buddhahood. Again, some, in numbers of four, three, or two, Like the dust motes of four continents, Such Bodhisattvas, according to their number, shall attain Buddhahood. Or some, as numerous as the dust motes of a single set of four continents, Have but one more birth remaining, And shall accomplish omniscience. Such beings as these, Hearing of the Buddha's long life span, Gain immeasurable, undefiled, Pure fruition of reward. Again, beings as numerous as the dust motes of eight worlds, Hearing the Buddha speak of his life span, All resolve upon the unsurpassed mind. The World-Honored One proclaims immeasurable, Inconceivable Dharma, Bringing vast benefit, Boundless as empty space. He rains down mandārava flowers, Mahā-mandārava flowers. Gods and Brahmās, numerous as Ganges' sands, Come from countless Buddha-lands. Sandalwood and aloeswood rain down, Profusely scattering and falling, Like birds flying down from the sky, To offer and scatter upon all Buddhas. In the empty sky, heavenly drums Naturally produce wondrous sounds. Heavenly garments of ten million kinds Whirl and descend. Exquisite jeweled incense burners Burn priceless incense, Naturally spreading everywhere, Making offerings to all World-Honored Ones. The great assembly of Bodhisattvas Hold banners and canopies of seven treasures, Exquisitely high, of ten thousand billion kinds, Successively reaching up to the Brahma heavens. Before each and every Buddha, Jeweled banners and superior pennants are hung, And with verses in ten million lines, They praise and extol all Thus Come Ones. Such various things as these, Never before seen, Upon hearing the Buddha's life span is immeasurable, All are filled with joy. The Buddha's fame is heard in the ten directions, Vastly benefiting beings. All, endowed with wholesome roots, Are aided toward the unsurpassed mind."

爾時佛告彌勒菩薩摩訶薩：「阿逸多！其有眾生，聞佛壽命長遠如是，乃至能生一念信解，所得功德，無有限量。若有善男子、善女人，為阿耨多羅三藐三菩提故，於八十萬億那由他劫，行五波羅蜜——檀波羅蜜、尸羅波羅蜜、羼提波羅蜜、毘梨耶波羅蜜、禪波羅蜜——除般若波羅蜜，以是功德比前功德，百分、千分、百千萬億分、不及其一，乃至算數譬喻所不能知。若善男子、善女人，有如是功德，於阿耨多羅三藐三菩提退者，無有是處。」

> At that time, the Buddha addressed the Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Maitreya: “Ajita! Should any living beings, hearing of the Buddha’s life span so immeasurably long, give rise to even a single moment of faith and understanding, the merit they shall gain shall be without limit or measure. If there are good men or good women who, for the sake of anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi, for eighty myriads of koṭis of nayutas of kalpas practice the five pāramitās—the dāna-pāramitā, the śīla-pāramitā, the kṣānti-pāramitā, the vīrya-pāramitā, and the dhyāna-pāramitā—all except the prajñā-pāramitā, the merit gained by these practices, compared with the former merit, does not amount to one hundredth, one thousandth, one part in a hundred thousand myriads of koṭis; indeed, no calculation or analogy can express it. If good men or good women possessing such merit should regress from anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi, such a thing is impossible.”

爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：

> Then the World-Honored One, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:

「若人求佛慧， 於八十萬億，那由他劫數， 行五波羅蜜。於是諸劫中， 布施供養佛，及緣覺弟子， 并諸菩薩眾。珍異之飲食、 上服與臥具，栴檀立精舍， 以園林莊嚴。如是等布施， 種種皆微妙，盡此諸劫數， 以迴向佛道。若復持禁戒， 清淨無缺漏，求於無上道， 諸佛之所歎。若復行忍辱， 住於調柔地，設眾惡來加， 其心不傾動。諸有得法者， 懷於增上慢，為此所輕惱， 如是亦能忍。若復懃精進， 志念常堅固，於無量億劫， 一心不懈息。又於無數劫， 住於空閑處，若坐若經行， 除睡常攝心。以是因緣故， 能生諸禪定，八十億萬劫、 安住心不亂。持此一心福， 願求無上道，我得一切智， 盡諸禪定際。是人於百千， 萬億劫數中，行此諸功德， 如上之所說。有善男女等， 聞我說壽命，乃至一念信， 其福過於彼。若人悉無有， 一切諸疑悔，深心須臾信， 其福為如此。其有諸菩薩， 無量劫行道，聞我說壽命， 是則能信受。如是諸人等， 頂受此經典，願我於未來， 長壽度眾生。如今日世尊、 諸釋中之王，道場師子吼， 說法無所畏。我等未來世， 一切所尊敬，坐於道場時， 說壽亦如是。若有深心者， 清淨而質直，多聞能總持， 隨義解佛語，如是諸人等， 於此無有疑。

> If someone seeks the Buddha's wisdom, For eighty trillion Nayuta kalpas, Practices the five pāramitās. During these kalpas, They give alms and make offerings to Buddhas, To pratyekabuddhas and disciples, And to all bodhisattvas. Rare and exquisite food and drink, Superior clothing and bedding, Sandalwood monasteries, Adorned with gardens and groves. Such acts of giving, Each one subtle and wondrous, For the entirety of these kalpas, They dedicate toward the Buddha Path. If one upholds the precepts, Pure, without flaw or breach, Seeking the Unsurpassed Way, Praised by all Buddhas. If one practices forbearance, Abiding in gentleness and pliancy, Even when confronted with malice, Their mind remains unshaken. When those who have attained some dharma, Harboring conceit and arrogance, Scorn and trouble them, Even this they can endure. If one diligently perseveres, With resolve ever firm, For immeasurable billions of kalpas, With single-minded, unceasing vigor. And for countless kalpas, Dwelling in secluded places, Whether sitting or walking in meditation, They curb sleep and constantly gather the mind. Through these causes and conditions, They give rise to all meditative concentrations, For eighty billion ten-thousands of kalpas, Abiding with mind undisturbed. Holding this merit of single-mindedness, They vow to seek the Unsurpassed Way: "May I attain omniscience, And exhaust the limits of all meditative states." Such a person, for hundreds of thousands, Of trillions of kalpas, Performs these meritorious deeds, As described above. If good men and women, Hear me speak of this lifespan, And give rise to even a moment's faith, Their merit surpasses that. If someone is entirely free, From all doubt and regret, And with profound heart believes for but a moment, Their merit is such as this. Those bodhisattvas, Who practice the Path for immeasurable kalpas, Upon hearing me speak of this lifespan, Will then be able to believe and accept. All such people as these, Who reverently receive this sutra, Pray: "In the future, may I Live long to liberate beings. Just as the World-Honored One today, The lion among the Śākyas, Roars his lion's roar in the place of enlightenment, Teaching the Dharma without fear. May we, in future ages, Be revered by all, And when seated at the place of enlightenment, Speak of lifespan likewise." Those with profound hearts, Pure and honest, Learned, able to retain and uphold, Understanding the Buddha's words according to their meaning— All such people as these, Will have no doubts about this.

「又，阿逸多！若有聞佛壽命長遠，解其言趣，是人所得功德無有限量，能起如來無上之慧。何況廣聞是經、若教人聞，若自持、若教人持，若自書、若教人書，若以華、香、瓔珞、幢幡、繒蓋、香油、酥燈，供養經卷，是人功德無量無邊，能生一切種智。

> Furthermore, Ajita! Should there be those who hear of the Buddha's life span being of such long duration, and upon hearing, understand the meaning of these words, the merit attained by such persons will be without limit or measure, capable of giving rise to the supreme wisdom of the Tathāgata. How much more so for those who extensively hear this sutra, or cause others to hear it; who uphold it themselves, or cause others to uphold it; who copy it themselves, or cause others to copy it; and who, with flowers, incense, garlands, banners, canopies, fragrant oils, butter lamps, and the like, make offerings to this sutra scroll—the merit of such persons is immeasurable and boundless, capable of giving birth to the wisdom of all modes.

「阿逸多！若善男子、善女人，聞我說壽命長遠，深心信解，則為見佛常在耆闍崛山，共大菩薩、諸聲聞眾圍繞說法。又見此娑婆世界，其地琉璃，坦然平正，閻浮檀金以界八道，寶樹行列，諸臺樓觀皆悉寶成，其菩薩眾咸處其中。若有能如是觀者，當知是為深信解相。

> Ajita! If virtuous men and women, hearing me speak of the immeasurable length of the Buddha's life, with profound mind believe and understand, then they shall behold the Buddha ever abiding on Mount Gṛdhrakūṭa, surrounded by great bodhisattvas and śrāvaka disciples, expounding the Dharma. Moreover, they shall see this Sahā world, its ground of lapis lazuli, level and even, with paths of eight divisions marked by jambūnada gold, rows of jeweled trees, and all towers, pavilions, and palaces entirely formed of precious substances, wherein the assembly of bodhisattvas all dwell. If there are those capable of contemplating thus, know that this is the mark of profound faith and understanding.

「又復如來滅後，若聞是經而不毀呰，起隨喜心，當知已為深信解相，何況讀誦、受持之者，斯人則為頂戴如來。

> Furthermore, after the Tathāgata's parinirvāṇa, if someone hears this sūtra and does not slander it but instead gives rise to a mind of rejoicing, know that this person has already manifested the sign of deep faith and understanding. How much more so for those who read, recite, and uphold it—such a person is then bearing the Tathāgata upon their head.

「阿逸多！是善男子、善女人，不須為我復起塔寺，及作僧坊、以四事供養眾僧。所以者何？是善男子、善女人，受持讀誦是經典者，為已起塔、造立僧坊、供養眾僧。則為以佛舍利起七寶塔，高廣漸小至于梵天，懸諸幡蓋及眾寶鈴，華、香、瓔珞，末香、塗香、燒香，眾鼓、伎樂，簫、笛、箜篌，種種舞戲，以妙音聲歌唄讚頌，則為於無量千萬億劫作是供養已。

> Ajita! These good sons and good daughters need not build stupas or temples for my sake, nor construct monastic dwellings, nor make the four kinds of offerings to the assembly of monks. Why is this? These good sons and good daughters who receive, uphold, read, recite, and expound this sutra have already erected stupas, built monastic dwellings, and made offerings to the assembly of monks. It is as if they had raised a seven-jeweled stupa enshrining the Buddha’s relics, soaring high and broad, tapering upward to the Brahma heavens, adorned with banners, canopies, and numerous precious bells, with flowers, incense, garlands, powdered incense, paste incense, burning incense, drums, musical instruments, flutes, pipes, lutes, and various dances and performances, offering praises with wonderful voices and hymns. They shall have made such offerings for immeasurable thousands of myriads of millions of kalpas.

「阿逸多！若我滅後，聞是經典，有能受持，若自書、若教人書，則為起立僧坊，以赤栴檀作諸殿堂三十有二，高八多羅樹，高廣嚴好，百千比丘於其中止，園林、浴池、經行、禪窟，衣服、飲食、床褥、湯藥，一切樂具充滿其中。如是僧坊、堂閣，若干百千萬億，其數無量，以此現前供養於我及比丘僧。是故我說：『如來滅後，若有受持、讀誦、為他人說，若自書、若教人書，供養經卷，不須復起塔寺，及造僧坊、供養眾僧。』況復有人能持是經，兼行布施、持戒、忍辱、精進、一心、智慧，其德最勝，無量無邊。譬如虛空，東西南北、四維上下無量無邊；是人功德，亦復如是無量無邊，疾至一切種智。若人讀誦受持是經，為他人說，若自書、若教人書，復能起塔，及造僧坊、供養讚歎聲聞眾僧，亦以百千萬億讚歎之法讚歎菩薩功德，又為他人，種種因緣隨義解說此法華經，復能清淨持戒，與柔和者而共同止，忍辱無瞋，志念堅固，常貴坐禪得諸深定，精進勇猛攝諸善法，利根智慧善答問難。

> Ajita! After my parinirvāṇa, if there are those who, hearing this sūtra, are able to accept and uphold it—whether they copy it themselves or cause others to copy it—they thereby erect monastic dwellings, constructing thirty-two halls of red sandalwood, lofty as eight tāla trees, high, broad, majestic, and fine. Hundreds of thousands of bhikṣus dwell therein, with gardens, groves, bathing pools, walking paths, meditation caves, and clothing, food and drink, bedding, medicines, and all articles of comfort abundantly provided therein. Such monastic dwellings and pavilions, numbering hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis, immeasurable and boundless, they present before me as offerings to me and the saṅgha of bhikṣus. Therefore I say: 'After the Tathāgata's parinirvāṇa, if there are those who accept and uphold, read and recite, expound for others, copy themselves, or cause others to copy, and make offerings to this sūtra scroll, they need not further erect stūpas or temples, nor build monastic dwellings, nor make offerings to the saṅgha.' How much more so for one who is able to uphold this sūtra, while also practicing giving, observing precepts, patience, vigor, concentration, and wisdom—their merit is most supreme, immeasurable and boundless. It is like space, immeasurable and boundless in the east, west, south, north, the four intermediate directions, above, and below; the merit of such a person is likewise immeasurable and boundless, swiftly leading to all-knowing wisdom. If a person reads, recites, accepts, and upholds this sūtra, expounds it for others, copies it themselves, or causes others to copy it, and further is able to erect stūpas, build monastic dwellings, make offerings and praises to the saṅgha of śrāvakas, and also with hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of methods of praise extol the merits of bodhisattvas; and further, for the sake of others, by various causes and conditions and in accordance with the meaning, explains this Dharma Flower Sūtra; and further is able to purely observe the precepts, dwell harmoniously with the gentle, practice patience without anger, with resolve and mindfulness firm and steadfast, ever valuing seated meditation and attaining profound concentrations, vigorous and bold in gathering all wholesome dharmas, with sharp faculties and wisdom skillfully answering questions and difficulties—

「阿逸多！若我滅後，諸善男子、善女人，受持讀誦是經典者，復有如是諸善功德，當知是人已趣道場，近阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，坐道樹下。

> Ajita! After my nirvana, if there are good men and good women who uphold, recite, and study this sutra, they will also attain such wholesome merits. You should know that these persons have already approached the seat of enlightenment, drawing near to anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi, and will sit beneath the bodhi tree.

「阿逸多！是善男子、善女人，若坐、若立、若行處，此中便應起塔，一切天人皆應供養如佛之塔。」

> Ajita! Wherever this virtuous man or woman sits, stands, or walks, there a stupa should be erected. All heavenly beings and humans should make offerings to it as they would to a stupa of the Buddha.

爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：

> Then the World-Honored One, wishing to restate this meaning, proclaimed in verse:

「若我滅度後， 能奉持此經，斯人福無量， 如上之所說，是則為具足， 一切諸供養。以舍利起塔， 七寶而莊嚴，表剎甚高廣， 漸小至梵天，寶鈴千萬億， 風動出妙音。又於無量劫， 而供養此塔，華香諸瓔珞， 天衣眾伎樂，燃香油酥燈， 周匝常照明。惡世法末時， 能持是經者，則為已如上， 具足諸供養。若能持此經， 則如佛現在，以牛頭栴檀， 起僧坊供養。堂有三十二， 高八多羅樹，上饌妙衣服， 床臥皆具足，百千眾住處， 園林諸浴池，經行及禪窟， 種種皆嚴好。若有信解心， 受持讀誦書，若復教人書， 及供養經卷，散華香末香， 以須曼瞻蔔、阿提目多伽， 薰油常燃之。如是供養者， 得無量功德，如虛空無邊， 其福亦如是。況復持此經， 兼布施持戒，忍辱樂禪定， 不瞋不惡口，恭敬於塔廟， 謙下諸比丘，遠離自高心， 常思惟智慧，有問難不瞋， 隨順為解說，若能行是行， 功德不可量。若見此法師， 成就如是德，應以天華散， 天衣覆其身，頭面接足禮， 生心如佛想。又應作是念： 『不久詣道樹，得無漏無為， 廣利諸人天。』其所住止處， 經行若坐臥，乃至說一偈， 是中應起塔，莊嚴令妙好， 種種以供養。佛子住此地， 則是佛受用，常在於其中， 經行及坐臥。」

> "If, after my parinirvana, One can uphold this sutra, That person's merit is immeasurable, As described above. This then constitutes the fulfillment Of all offerings. Erecting a stūpa with relics, Adorned with the seven treasures, With a tall and broad banner pole, Tapering upward to the Brahma heavens, With jeweled bells numbering in the thousands of myriads of koṭis, Swayed by the wind, emitting wondrous sounds, And for immeasurable kalpas, Making offerings to this stūpa— With flowers, incense, garlands, Heavenly garments, and various musical performances, Burning oil lamps of ghee, Illuminating all around continuously— In the evil age of the Dharma's decline, One who can uphold this sutra Has thereby already made, In full, all such offerings. If one can uphold this sutra, It is as if the Buddha were present. With red sandalwood, One builds a saṅgha dwelling for offerings. The hall has thirty-two chambers, Eight tāla trees in height, With fine food and excellent garments, Beds and couches all complete, Hundreds of thousands of places for the assembly to dwell, With gardens, groves, and bathing pools, Walking paths and meditation caves, All beautifully adorned in various ways. If one has a mind of faith and understanding, Receiving, upholding, reading, reciting, and copying it, Or further teaches others to copy it, And makes offerings to the sutra scrolls, Scattering flowers and powdered incense, With sumanas and campaka, Atimuktaka flowers, And burning fragrant oil constantly— One who makes offerings thus Gains immeasurable merit, Like the boundlessness of space, So too is that merit. How much more so one who upholds this sutra, And also practices giving and upholds precepts, Cultivates patience and delights in meditation, Without anger or harsh speech, Is respectful toward stūpas and temples, Humble toward all bhikṣus, Abandoning a conceited mind, Constantly contemplating wisdom, When questioned with difficulties, not angered, But explaining in accordance with the Dharma— If one can practice these deeds, The merit is beyond measure. If you see such a Dharma teacher Who accomplishes such virtues, You should scatter heavenly flowers upon them, Cover their body with heavenly garments, Bow with your head at their feet, And give rise to a mind that thinks of them as the Buddha. You should further think thus: 'Soon they will go to the Bodhi tree, Attaining the unconditioned, the undefiled, Greatly benefiting devas and humans.' Wherever they dwell, stay, Walk, sit, or lie down, Or even where they speak a single verse, There a stūpa should be erected, Adorned to be wondrous and fine, With various offerings made. A child of the Buddha dwelling in such a place Is where the Buddha receives offerings, Ever abiding therein, Walking, sitting, and lying down."

## 妙法蓮華經卷第五

> The Lotus Sutra, Volume Five