四輩品第五
Chapter 5: The Four Assemblies
颰陀和白佛：「難及，天中天！若有棄愛欲作比丘，聞是三昧，當云何學？云何持？云何行？」
Bhadra said to the Buddha: "How extraordinary, O Heavenly One! If someone has renounced desire and become a monk, and hears of this Samadhi, how should they study it? How should they uphold it? How should they practice it?"
佛言：「棄愛欲作比丘，欲學是三昧者，當清淨持戒，不得缺如毛髮。常當怖畏於地獄痛苦，遠離於諛諂，是為清淨。」
The Buddha said: "Those who renounce desire and attachment to become monks, and who wish to study this meditation, should uphold moral discipline purely, without even a hair's breadth of deficiency. Always remain mindful of the fear of hellish suffering, and distance yourself from flattery and deceit. This is true purity."
「云何為缺戒也？」
What does it mean to be lacking in the Precepts?
佛言：「求色。」
The Buddha said: "Seek form."
「云何為求色？」
What is meant by "seeking forms"?
佛言：「其人意念我持戒自守，使我後世生，若作天、若作遮迦越王。如是為樂愛欲，是為缺戒。」
The Buddha said: "If a person thinks, 'I observe moral discipline and restrain myself, so that in my next life I may be born as a heavenly being or as a universal king (cakravartin),' such a thought stems from attachment to desires and enjoyment—this is a deficiency in moral discipline."
佛告颰陀和：「其有欲學是三昧者，清淨自守、持戒完具，不諛諂，常為智所稱譽。於經中當布施、當精進，所志當彊，當多信、當勸樂，承事於師視當如佛，得三昧疾。設不恭敬，輕易欺調於師，正使久學是三昧，疾忘之。」
The Buddha told Bhadrapāla: "Those who wish to learn this samādhi should keep themselves pure, uphold moral discipline completely, and avoid flattery or deception—such people are always praised by the wise. In practicing this teaching, they should give generously, remain diligent with strong resolve, and foster deep faith and joyful dedication. Serving their teacher with the same reverence they would show the Buddha, they will quickly attain this samādhi. But if they fail to show respect, or treat their teacher lightly or with mockery, then even if they study this samādhi for a long time, they will soon forget it."
佛告颰陀和：「是菩薩若從比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷聞是三昧，當視如佛常尊敬，不當持諂意向。菩薩不得有諂意，常當至誠，常樂獨處止。不惜身命，不得悕望人所索，常行乞食不受請，自守節度，所有趣足而已。經行不得懈臥，如是經中教。學是三昧當守如是。」
The Buddha told Bhadrapala: "If a bodhisattva hears this samadhi from a monk, a nun, a male lay practitioner, or a female lay practitioner, they should regard that person as they would the Buddha and always respect them. Do not approach them with a deceitful mind. A bodhisattva must not harbor deceit but should always be sincere, and gladly dwell in solitude. They should not cherish even their own body or life, nor should they expect anything from others. They should always practice alms-begging and not accept invitations to meals. They should maintain self-discipline and moderation, being content with just enough. When walking in meditation, they should not be lazy or lie down to sleep. This is what the sutra teaches. One who studies this samadhi should uphold these practices."
颰陀和白佛：「難及，天中天！後世若有懈怠菩薩，聞是三昧不肯精進學，當云何？若有菩薩精進欲學者，我輩當隨是經教之。」
Bhadra said to the Buddha, "It is truly extraordinary, World-Honored One! In future ages, if there are negligent bodhisattvas who hear of this samadhi yet are unwilling to practice it diligently, what should be done? If there are bodhisattvas who are diligent and wish to study it, we will follow this sutra and teach them accordingly."
佛言：「善哉，颰陀和！我助其歡喜，過去、當來、今現在佛皆助歡喜。」
The Buddha said, "Excellent, Bhadrapala! I rejoice in their joy, and so do all the Buddhas of the past, future, and present."
佛爾時頌偈言：
At that time, the Buddha spoke these verses:
「如我所說悉受持， 常獨處止行功德，
自守節度不聚會， 常行乞食不受請。
敬於法師視如佛， 除去睡眠志開解，
常自精進無懈怠， 如是行者得三昧。」
"As I have taught, take it all to heart: Dwell often in solitude, practicing merit.
Guard your own restraint, avoid the crowd, Walk the alms round, refuse no invitation's pull.
Honor the Dharma teacher as the Buddha, Cast off sleep, and set your mind on understanding.
Stay diligent, never lax— One who lives like this attains samādhi."
颰陀和白佛：「比丘尼求菩薩道，欲學是三昧，當云何行？」
Bhadra said to the Buddha, "If a nun seeks the bodhisattva path and wishes to learn this samadhi, how should she practice?"
佛言：「比丘尼求是三昧者，不得自高，常當卑謙。不得自貴，不得自大，不得嫉妬，不得瞋恚，不得貪財利色。常當清淨，不得惜軀命，常樂經法念多學問，當棄婬、怒、癡，不得貪好服飾珠環，當為智者稱譽；當敬善師視如佛，不得有諂意。」
The Buddha said: "A nun who seeks this Samādhi must not be proud, but should always remain humble. She should not exalt herself, nor act arrogantly. She must not be envious, nor given to anger, nor crave wealth or sensual pleasures. She should always maintain purity, and not cling to body or life. She should delight in the scriptures and aspire to deep learning. She must abandon lust, anger, and delusion, and not crave fine clothing or jewelry. She should earn the praise of the wise, revere her virtuous teachers as she would the Buddha, and harbor no deceitful intent."
佛爾時頌偈言：
At that time, the Buddha spoke these verses:
「若比丘尼求三昧， 常當精進勿懈怠，
無得聽於貪欲心， 除去瞋恚自高貴；
不得慢欺及調戲， 常行至誠立一信，
恭敬善師視如佛， 如是行者得三昧。」
"If a nun seeks deep meditation, She must be diligent and never lax. She should not give in to greedy thoughts, But let go of anger and pride.
She must not fool others or act lightly, But stay sincere, grounded in faith. She should respect her teacher as the Buddha— Only then will she attain that stillness of mind."
颰陀和白佛：「若有居士修道，聞是三昧欲學者，當云何行？」
Bhaddha asked the Buddha, "If a layperson who cultivates the Way hears this samadhi and wishes to practice it, how should they conduct themselves?"
佛言：「居士欲學是三昧者，當持五戒令堅；不得飲酒，亦不得飲他人；不得與女親熟，不得教他人，不得有恩愛於妻子男女，不得貪財產，常念欲棄家作沙門；常持八關齋，當於佛寺中；常當念布施，布施已不念我自當得其福，用為一切施。常當大慈敬於善師；見持戒比丘，不得輕易、說其惡。作是行已，當學守是三昧。」
The Buddha said: "Householders who wish to learn this Samādhi should firmly uphold the Five Precepts: they must not drink alcohol, nor encourage others to drink; they must not become intimate with women, nor teach others to do so; they must not cling with affection to wives, husbands, children, or family; they must not crave wealth, but should constantly think of leaving home to become renunciants. They should always observe the Eight Precepts and practice within a monastery. They should always be mindful of giving, and after giving, they should not think, 'I will surely gain merit from this,' but should give for the benefit of all beings. They should always maintain great kindness and respect toward virtuous teachers. When seeing monks who uphold the precepts, they must not look down upon them or speak of their faults. After practicing in this way, they should then learn to uphold this Samādhi."
佛爾時頌偈言：
At that time, the Buddha spoke these verses:
「居士欲學是三昧， 當持五戒勿毀缺，
常當思欲作沙門， 不貪妻子及財色，
常八關齋於佛寺， 不得貢高輕懱人。
心無榮冀思所欲， 奉行經法心無諂，
棄捨慳貪常惠施， 常當奉敬比丘僧，
常志一行勿懈怠， 學是三昧當如是。」
"Those who wish to study this Samadhi, Should uphold the Five Precepts without fail.
Always aspire to live as monastics, Not clinging to spouse, wealth, or sensual pleasures.
Observe the Eight Precepts at temples, Never arrogant or looking down on others.
Let the mind be free from craving and desire, Practice the teachings with sincerity, without deceit.
Abandon stinginess and greed, always give generously, And always honor and respect the monastic community.
Maintain one-pointed diligence, never lax— Those who study this Samadhi should embody these qualities."
颰陀和白佛：「優婆夷聞是三昧欲學者，當云何行？」
Bhadra said to the Buddha, "If a female lay practitioner hears of this Samadhi and wishes to study it, how should she practice?"
佛言：「優婆夷欲學者，當持五戒，自歸於三。何等為三？自歸命佛，歸命法，歸命比丘僧。不得事餘道，不得拜於天，不得祠鬼神，不得視吉良日。不得調戲，不得慢恣有色想，不得有貪欲之心。常當念布施，歡樂欲聞經，念力學問，敬重善師，心常拳拳不得有懈。若有比丘、比丘尼過者，以坐席賓食之。」
The Buddha said: “A female lay practitioner who wishes to study should uphold the Five Precepts and take refuge in the Three. What are the Three? Taking refuge in the Buddha, taking refuge in the Dharma, and taking refuge in the Sangha of monks. She should not serve other teachings, should not bow to heavenly deities, should not offer sacrifices to spirits and ghosts, and should not consult lucky or unlucky days. She should not be playful or frivolous, should not be arrogant or indulgent in thoughts of lust, and should not harbor greedy desires. She should always keep generosity in mind, delight in hearing the Dharma, diligently pursue learning, respect and honor good teachers, and keep her heart steadfast and devoted without ever slacking. If monks or nuns pass by her home, she should offer them a seat and share food with them.”
佛爾時頌偈言：
At that time, the Buddha spoke these verses:
「優婆夷欲學三昧， 奉持五戒勿缺毀，
承事善師視如佛， 不得拜天祠祀神。
除去殺、盜及嫉妬， 不得兩舌鬪彼此，
不得慳貪常念施， 見惡覆藏唯歎善。
不得諛諂有邪婬， 常當卑謙勿自大；
敬事比丘比丘尼， 如是行者得三昧。」
A female lay practitioner who wishes to learn meditation Should uphold the five precepts without break or loss. Serve a good teacher as if they were the Buddha— Do not worship heaven or pay homage to spirits.
Give up killing, stealing, and jealousy; Do not speak divisively or stir conflict between others. Do not be stingy or greedy—always keep giving in mind; Conceal the faults you see in others, and speak only of their good.
Avoid flattery and improper desire; Stay humble at all times, never arrogant. Treat monks and nuns with reverence and care— One who lives this way attains meditative concentration.