佛說月光菩薩經
Sutra of the Moonlight Bodhisattva Spoken by the Buddha
西天譯經三藏朝散大夫試鴻臚少卿明教大師臣法賢奉 詔譯
Translator: Fahian
如是我聞：
Thus have I heard:
一時，佛在王舍城竹林精舍，與大苾芻眾而為說法。時舍利弗，大目乾連前詣佛所，五體投地，禮佛足已，白佛言：「世尊！我等今者，不忍見佛入於圓寂，而於此時先入滅度。」
Once, the Buddha was staying at the Bamboo Grove Monastery in Rajagriha, teaching the Dharma to a large assembly of monks. At that time, Shariputra and Mahamaudgalyayana approached the Buddha, prostrated themselves fully, touching their heads to his feet, and said: "World-Honored One, we find it unbearable to witness your entry into final Nirvana. Therefore, we wish to enter Parinirvana before you."
爾時眾中有一苾芻，合掌向佛而作是言：「世尊！舍利弗、大目乾連有何因緣，今於佛前先欲入滅？唯願世尊為解眾疑。」
At that time, a monk in the assembly pressed his palms together and said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, what is the reason that Shariputra and Mahamaudgalyayana wish to pass into Nirvana before you, now, in your presence? We only ask that the World-Honored One resolve this doubt for the assembly."
爾時世尊告苾芻言：「汝今諦聽！吾為汝說。舍利弗、大目乾連貪、瞋、癡等諸漏斷盡，所作已辦，梵行已立，不受後有，非唯今日先欲入滅。於過去世北印度內，有一大城名曰賢石，長十二由旬，廣闊亦爾。彼有國王，名為月光，壽四萬歲，有天眼、宿命通，身色端嚴，諸相具足，光明照耀，如天滿月；所往之處，不假燈燭日月之明，故號月光；統領四洲六萬八千國土。時世豐熟，人民安隱，金銀珍寶、飲食衣服、象馬車乘悉皆盈滿。於城四門皆有樓閣，戶牖軒窗，俱用眾寶而為嚴飾；街巷道陌掃灑清淨，竪立幢幡寶蓋、真珠瓔珞。復有沈香、粖香、栴檀之香，微風時起，吹其香氣周徧國城，車馬行人不聞穢氣。處處復有花果樹木——多摩羅樹、迦尼迦囉樹、無優樹、貝多樹、娑羅樹、帝羅迦樹、龍花樹、末俱羅樹、阿底目伽樹、播吒羅樹，繁欝茂盛。鸚鵡舍利、迦陵頻伽、俱計羅鳥等，於諸樹間作微妙音。於城內外，流泉浴池常出好花——優鉢羅花、俱母那花、奔吒利迦花等。如是富貴，種種裝嚴。」
At that time, the World-Honored One addressed the monks, saying: "Listen closely, for I will teach you.
Shariputra and Mahamaudgalyayana have cut off all taints such as greed, anger, and ignorance. They have done what had to be done, established the holy life, and will not be reborn again. Nor is it only now that they wish to enter final nirvana.
In a past age, there was a great city in northern India called Jewel Mountain. It was twelve yojanas in length and equally wide. In that city ruled a king named Moonlight, who lived for forty thousand years. He possessed the divine eye and the power to recall past lives. His body was majestic and adorned with all excellent marks, and his radiance illuminated all around like the full moon in the sky. Wherever he went, he needed no lamps or the light of sun or moon—hence his name Moonlight. He ruled over four continents and sixty-eight thousand kingdoms.
At that time, the land prospered, the people lived in peace, and gold, silver, precious jewels, food, drink, clothing, elephants, horses, chariots, and carriages were abundant.
At the four gates of the city stood pavilions, whose doors and windows were all adorned with various treasures. The streets and lanes were swept clean, and banners, canopies, pearl garlands, and ornaments were set up. There were also aloe, powdered incense, and sandalwood. When a gentle breeze arose, it wafted their fragrance throughout the entire city, so that travelers on carriages or on foot never perceived any foul odors.
Everywhere, flowering and fruit-bearing trees grew in lush abundance: the tamāla tree, the karnikāra tree, the aśoka tree, the birch tree, the sal tree, the tilaka tree, the nāga-flower tree, the madhuka tree, the atimuktaka tree, and the pāṭali tree.
Parrots, mynah birds, kalaviṅka birds, and cuckoos filled the groves with their delicate songs.
Within and around the city, there were flowing springs and bathing ponds that constantly produced beautiful lotuses—blue lotuses, red lotuses, white lotuses, and many more. Such were the splendor and riches, and such the adornments."
佛告苾芻：「爾時月光天子，於市肆街巷及城四門，堆聚金銀珍寶、象馬車乘、飲食衣服、臥具醫藥種種莊嚴之物，即擊金鼓，告令眾人：『月光天子，以種種財物普施一切。隨意所須，求者相給。』爾時，南贍部洲一切眾生，皆至王城，求其所施，無不豐足，得大富貴，無一貧乏及徒行者。
The Buddha told the monks, “At that time, King Moonlight had piles of gold, silver, precious jewels, elephants, horses, carriages, food, clothing, bedding, medicine, and other fine items placed in the markets, streets, and at the four city gates. He then beat a golden drum and announced to the people: ‘King Moonlight is giving away all these treasures freely. Ask for whatever you wish, and you shall receive it.’
“At that time, all the beings in Jambudvīpa came to the royal city to receive his gifts. Not one was left unsatisfied; they all obtained great wealth and prosperity. There was no poverty or hardship, and no one had to go on foot anymore.”
「爾時月光天子，復自思惟：『雖諸眾生無有貧乏，對我所用猶未齊等。』復以細妙衣服、最上珍寶、頭冠瓔珞、臥具飲食等施諸眾生，富貴莊嚴，皆如月光天子身；城邑宮殿、樓閣園林，種種嚴飾，如忉利天。
「有七十二百千那由他人，常止此城；有二千五百大臣，有二輔相——一名大月，二名持地——容貌端正，福德淳厚，智慧深遠，高才博識，恒以十善，化諸眾生。
「是時大月，於夜睡眠而作一夢：王戴天冠變黑煙色，復有鬼來就王頭上，奪冠而去。作是夢已，憂惶驚懼，恐有不祥而自思惟：『我王慈愍，惠施一切，求者不違。必有惡人，來乞王頭。』作是念已，即用七寶造一寶頭，如有乞者，以此代之。時持地輔相亦作一夢，見月光身四體分散；即召婆羅門占夢凶吉。婆羅門曰：『此夢甚惡，必有遠人來乞王頭。』持地聞已，悲泣感傷：『云何我王有斯大禍？』爾時，一萬二千五百親位大臣俱作惡夢：幢幡倒地，金鼓不鳴，恩愛別離，悲啼哭泣。如是夢已，共相議曰：『王若不吉，一切眾生誰為救濟？我等云何而得安隱？』
One evening, during the deep hours of night, the great king had a dream: He saw himself wearing the royal crown, which then turned a smoky black color. Then a ghost came, snatched the crown from his head, and fled. Waking in shock and fear, the king worried that this was an ill omen. He thought to himself, "I, the king, am merciful, granting all requests without exception. Surely some evil person will come to beg for my head." So he ordered the creation of a replica head made of the seven precious jewels, intending to offer it to any beggar who came, as a substitute.
At the same time, the minister named Hold-Firm had a dream in which he saw the king's body torn into four pieces. He summoned a Brahmin to interpret the dream's fortune. The Brahmin declared, "This dream is most inauspicious. Someone from afar will come to ask for the king's head." Hearing this, Hold-Firm wept bitterly, lamenting, "How can such a great calamity befall my king?"
Then, the twelve thousand five hundred senior ministers also had terrible dreams: banners and pennants toppled to the ground, golden drums no longer sounded, beloved ones were torn apart, and there was only grief and weeping. After these dreams, they consulted among themselves, saying: "If disaster befalls the king, who will rescue all beings? How can we ever find peace and safety?"
「時月光天子又告大臣：『盡我壽命，施於眾生，不得間斷。』
Then the Moonlight King spoke to his minister, saying: "Throughout my entire life, I shall give to all beings without interruption."
「爾時香醉山中，有大婆羅門，名曰惡眼，聰明多智，善解技術。知月光天子，於城四門大開施會，擊鼓宣令，普告四方，求者供給，而無乏少。『我今往彼，乞於王頭。』作是語已，下香醉山。山有天人，知婆羅門來乞王頭，悲痛傷歎：『苦哉，苦哉！此王心懷慈愍，利樂群生；如若命終，世間薄祐。』作是語時，天地昏黑，日月不現，泉井枯乾，暴風卒起，吹砂走石，樹木摧折，大地震動，有如是不祥之相。
At that time, on Mount Fragrant Intoxication, there lived a great Brahmin named Evil Eye. He was intelligent, wise, and highly skilled in the arts. Knowing that King Moonlight had opened great almsgiving at the four gates of the city, had proclaimed by drumbeat throughout the land that all who sought alms would be supplied without lack, he said, "I will go there now and beg for the king's head." Having spoken thus, he descended Mount Fragrant Intoxication. The celestial beings on the mountain, knowing that the Brahmin had come to beg for the king's head, grieved and lamented, saying, "How painful! How painful! This king, filled with compassion, benefits and delights all beings. If he should die, the world will lose its blessing." As they spoke these words, the sky and earth grew dark, the sun and moon ceased to shine, wells and springs ran dry, violent winds suddenly arose, blowing sand and stones, breaking trees, and shaking the great earth — such inauspicious signs appeared.
「去城不遠，有一仙人，身具五通，名彌濕嚩弭怛囉，與五百眷屬，常以慈愍護念眾生，見此徵祥，甚懷憂惱，告摩拏嚩迦曰：『必有災禍臨於民主，我等云何而為救護？』虛空中緊那羅眾及諸天人，皆悉下淚如降微雨；一切人民心懷驚怖。
Not far from the city, there lived an immortal of great spiritual powers, named Miśvarī mitra, who possessed the five supernatural insights. Accompanied by five hundred disciples, he always cared for and protected all beings with compassion. Witnessing these ominous signs, he was greatly troubled and said to his disciple: "A grave disaster is about to befall the ruler of this land. How can we possibly prevent it?" In the sky, the celestial musicians Kinnaras and all the heavenly beings began to weep, their tears falling like a light rain. Every person was filled with fear and panic.
「時惡眼婆羅門將欲至城，護城天人詣月光天子前：『今有惡人，從香醉山來，懷殺害心，欲乞王頭，不得聽之。宜保愛自身，固安聖體。』
At that time, the evil-eyed Brahmin was about to enter the city. The guardian deity of the city approached King Moonlight and said: "An evil person is coming from the Fragrant Intoxication Mountain. He harbors murderous intent and seeks to beg for your head. Do not allow him. You should protect your own person and safeguard your sacred body."
「王既聞已，心生踊躍，歎言：『善哉！令我圓滿檀波羅蜜。』
When the king heard this, his heart leaped with joy, and he exclaimed, "Excellent! This will allow me to perfect the practice of generosity."
「時惡眼婆羅門即入王城，守門天人見婆羅門神情醜惡，隔住門外，終不放入。時月光天子知彼來至，不放入城，即告宰臣大月：『有婆羅門從香醉山來，欲見於我。令彼門司不得障礙。』
At that time, the evil-eyed Brahmin approached the royal city. The heavenly guardian at the gate saw that the Brahmin’s expression was hideous and wicked, so he blocked him outside and absolutely refused to let him enter. Then the Moonlight King realized that the Brahmin had arrived but was not allowed into the city. He immediately told his minister, Great Moon: “There is a Brahmin coming from the Fragrant Drunk Mountain who wishes to see me. Let the gatekeepers not obstruct him.”
「大月受教白守門天人，即令放入。大月見已，問婆羅門曰：『汝來至此，有何所求？』
The Great Moon, having received the teaching, addressed the guardian celestial being and was allowed entry. Upon seeing him, Great Moon asked the Brahmin: “What brings you here? What is it that you seek?”
「婆羅門言：『我聞月光天子，慈愍有情設大施會，若有所求，一切無悋。今來至此，欲乞王頭。』大月告言：『婆羅門！王頭膿血所成，終歸爛壞，汝今乞得，有何所用？我有七寶頭，復有種種金銀珍寶，俱奉施之，乃令子孫永得大富。』
The Brahmin said, "I have heard that King Moonlight, out of compassion for all beings, holds a great almsgiving assembly, and whatever anyone asks for, he grants without hesitation. I have come here now to beg for the king's head."
Mahayasha replied, "O Brahmin, the king's head is formed of pus and blood, and will inevitably rot and decay. What use would it be to you even if you obtained it? I have a head made of the seven precious gems, and many kinds of gold, silver, and other treasures. I offer them to you instead, so that your descendants may enjoy great wealth forever."
「婆羅門言：『我本乞頭，非為珍寶。』
「時二大臣啼泣雨淚，悲痛憂惱：『我等云何得免斯害？』
At that time, the two ministers wept tears of sorrow, deeply grieved and distressed, saying: "How can we escape this harm?"
「時婆羅門即詣王前，見已頂禮，住立一面，合掌白言：『聞王慈愍，普施一切。我今遠來，只乞王頭。願垂慈愍，歡喜布施。』而說偈言：
Then the Brahman approached the king. Upon seeing him, he bowed at the king’s feet, then stood to one side, palms together, and said, "I have heard that you are compassionate and give freely to all. I have come from afar, seeking only your head. Please, in your kindness, give it with a joyful heart." And he spoke this verse:
「『菩薩志求無上智， 安住最勝清淨法，
願垂慈愍速捨頭， 圓滿檀度波羅蜜。』
「時月光天子，即起合掌而說偈言：
「『父母所生不淨身， 汝求我頭歡喜捨，
滿爾本願稱心歸， 令我速成菩提果。』
「說此偈已，白婆羅門言：『勿嫌我頭，骨髓膿血、皮肉相連，無有清淨，而即施之，滿汝本願。』
「時婆羅門，心大歡喜。王欲截頭，即去頭冠；是時南贍部洲，一切頭冠悉皆落地，人各驚惶。輔相二人不忍見王捨棄身命，即於彼處自盡其壽；以善根力，生大梵宮。
「時菩摩夜叉，於虛空中高聲唱言：『苦哉，天子！今將命終。』復有百千億人奔詣王宮，啼泣下淚，傷愛別離。王即說法安慰，令發道心。
「婆羅門言：『王若捨頭，宜於淨處。』
「王即告言：『我有一苑，名摩尼寶藏，花果茂盛，流泉浴池，種種莊嚴，最為第一。於斯捨頭，汝意云何？』
「婆羅門言：『宜速往彼。』
「王即携劒，往彼苑中，立瞻蔔樹下，告婆羅門言：『我今捨頭，汝來截之。』
「婆羅門曰：『王不自斷，令我持刃，非布施行。』
「時有護苑天人見是事已，悲泣涕淚，告婆羅門曰：『汝大惡人！月光天子，慈愍一切，普利群生。何以此處，害天子命？』
「王告天人：『莫作是言，障礙勝事。我於過去無量生中，為大國王，於此苑內，千度捨頭，時諸天人，皆無障礙。昔濟餓虎，捨身命等，超於慈氏四十劫，彼時天人，亦不障礙。汝於今日，發隨喜心，當獲勝利。』
「月光天子復告天龍八部、一切賢聖：『我今捨頭，不求輪王、不求生天、不求魔王、不求帝釋、不求梵王，為求無上正等正覺，令未受化者迴心受化，已受化者速得解脫，得解脫者圓證寂滅究竟彼岸。又願命終之後，舍利如白芥子，於摩尼寶藏苑建一大塔，令一切眾生禮拜供養、見聞隨喜；命終之後，皆得生天，發菩提心，出生死界。』
「發是願已，婆羅門曰：『王捨內財，甚為稀有，於未來世，速成佛道。』作是語時，王以首髮繫無憂樹枝，即執利劒自斷其頭。
「爾時三千大千世界六種振動，於虛空中，天人讚言：『善哉，善哉！今月光天子當得成佛。』復雨優鉢羅花、鉢納摩花、俱母那花、曼陀羅花，及沈香、粖香、旃檀之香，種種供養；即以旃檀香木，焚燒遺體，收其舍利，於摩尼苑及四衢路各起一塔，恒時供養。現在未來一切眾生，於此苑中，行住坐臥，及於塔前，瞻禮供養；命終之後，生六欲天及梵天上。」
爾時佛告諸苾芻：「往昔月光天子者，今我身是；大月，持地二輔相者，今舍利弗，大目乾連是；惡眼婆羅門者，今提婆達多是。由是因緣，先於佛前而請入滅。」
時諸苾芻，聞佛所說，皆大歡憙，信受奉行，禮佛而退。
佛說月光菩薩經