佛說木槵子經
The Buddha Speaks the Scripture of the Wooden Beads
失譯人今附東晉錄
Attributed to an Anonymous Translator, Included in the Eastern Jin Dynasty Records
聞如是：
Thus have I heard:
一時佛遊羅閱祇耆闍崛山中，與大比丘眾一千二百五十人俱，菩薩無數，名稱遠聞，天、人所敬。時難國王，名波流離，遣使來到佛所，頂禮佛足，白佛言：「世尊！我國邊小，頻歲寇賊，五穀勇貴，疾病流行，人民困苦，我恒不得安臥。如來法藏，多悉深廣；我有憂務，不得修行。唯願世尊特垂慈愍，賜我要法！使我日夜易得修行，未來世中遠離眾苦。」
Once, the Buddha was staying at Vulture Peak in Rajagriha, accompanied by a large assembly of 1,250 monks, countless bodhisattvas whose names were widely known, and revered by gods and humans alike. At that time, King Pasenadi of Kosala sent a messenger to the Buddha's presence. The messenger bowed at the Buddha's feet and said, "World-Honored One! My kingdom is small and remote, plagued by constant raids from bandits, soaring grain prices, widespread epidemics, and suffering among the people. I can never rest easy. The Buddha's teachings are vast and profound, but I am burdened with affairs of state and cannot devote myself to spiritual practice. I humbly beseech the World-Honored One, out of great compassion, to grant me a essential teaching—one that I can easily practice day and night, so that in future lives I may be freed from all suffering."
佛告王言：「若欲滅煩惱障、報障者，當貫木槵子一百八，以常自隨。若行、若坐、若臥，恒當至心，無分散意，稱佛陀、達摩、僧伽名，乃過一木槵子，如是漸次度木槵子，若十、若二十、若百、若千，乃至百千萬。若能滿二十萬遍，身心不亂，無諸諂曲者，捨命得生第三焰天，衣食自然，常安樂行。若復能滿一百萬遍者，當得斷除百八結業，始名背生死流，趣向泥洹，永斷煩惱根，獲無上果。」
The Buddha told the king, "If you wish to remove the obstacles of afflictions and the obstacles of karmic retribution, you should string together one hundred and eight beads of the rudraksha seed and always carry them with you. Whether walking, sitting, or lying down, you should remain mindful with undivided attention, reciting the names of the Buddha, Bodhidharma, and the Sangha. Pass one bead for each recitation, continuing in this way through the beads—whether ten, twenty, one hundred, one thousand, or even a million. If you can complete two hundred thousand recitations with a calm body and mind, free from all deceit or crookedness, you will be reborn in the third Flame Heaven after death, where clothing and food come naturally, and you will always dwell in peace and joy. If you can further complete one million recitations, you will sever the one hundred and eight binding karmic ties, truly turn your back on the stream of birth and death, move toward Nirvana, and forever uproot the causes of suffering, attaining the unsurpassed fruit."
信還啟王，王大歡喜，遙向世尊，頭面禮佛云：「大善！我當奉行。」即勅吏民，營辦木槵子，以為千具，六親國戚，皆與一具。王常誦念，雖親軍旅，亦不廢置。又作是念：「世尊大慈，普應一切。若我此善，得免長淪苦海，如來當現我身，為我說法。」願樂迫心，三日不食。
The envoy returned and reported to the king, who was overjoyed. Facing the Buddha from afar, the king bowed his head to the ground and said, "Excellent! I will follow this teaching." He then ordered his officials and people to prepare wooden rosary beads, making a thousand sets, and gave one to each of his relatives and close associates. The king constantly recited and focused his mind, never abandoning this practice even during military campaigns. He also thought, "The World-Honored One, in His great compassion, responds to all beings. If this virtuous practice of mine can free me from the endless suffering of the cycle of rebirth, may the Tathāgata appear before me and teach me the Dharma." With this heartfelt aspiration, he refrained from eating for three days.
佛即應形，與諸眷屬，來其宮內，而告王曰：「莎斗比丘，誦三寶名，經歷十歲，得成斯陀含果；漸次習行，今在普香世界，作辟支佛。」王聞是已，倍復修行。
The Buddha then manifested in a body and, along with his companions, entered the palace. Addressing the king, he said: "The monk Sadou has recited the names of the Three Treasures for ten years, attaining the state of a Once-Returner (Sakadāgāmin). Through gradual practice, he now resides in the world of Universal Fragrance, having become a Pratyekabuddha." Upon hearing this, the king redoubled his spiritual practice.
佛告阿難：「何況能誦三寶名，經歷萬數；但能聞此人名，生一念隨喜者，未來生處，常聞十善。」
The Buddha said to Ananda, "How much more so for those who can recite the names of the Three Jewels countless times? Even those who merely hear this person's name and feel a single moment of joyful admiration will, in their future lives, always hear about the Ten Good Deeds."
說是法時，大眾歡喜，皆願奉行！
When the Buddha had spoken this teaching, the assembly was filled with great joy, and everyone resolved to follow it with dedication.
佛說木槵子經
The Buddha Speaks the Scripture of the Wooden Beads