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  1. Four Qualities of Learning Sutra (四品學法經)
  1. Four Qualities of Learning Sutra (四品學法經)
  2. Four Qualities of Learning Sutra (四品學法經)

Four Qualities of Learning Sutra (四品學法經)

About 四品學法經

Liu Song · Source text translated by 求那跋陀羅

752 · about 3 min

The Sutra on the Four Grades of Learners was translated by the Indian monk Guṇabhadra during the Liu Song Dynasty. This sutra is drawn from the Madhyama Āgama and presents the Buddha’s guidance to the monks on spiritual practice. At its heart, it classifies Buddhist practitioners into four types based on their diligence in moral discipline, meditation, and wisdom: those who decline, those who remain steady, those who progress, and those who attain great fulfillment. It describes in detail the characteristics and methods of practice for each grade. As an important early Buddhist text, it systematically outlines stages of cultivation, helping practitioners examine themselves and clarify their path forward. It holds significant practical value in the Chinese Buddhist tradition for guiding spiritual development.


四品學法經
宋天竺三藏求那跋陀羅譯
其有三德學,號真學,為上品;其持具戒學,號承法,為中品;其受卑戒學,號依福學,為下品;其行三事,號散侍,為外品。
又真學三德者:一曰戒行備具;二曰多知經法;三曰能化度人。是為三德,號真學者也。又承法具戒者,純五戒,信審罪福,奉承法教也。又依福卑戒者,但持上四戒,不持酒戒,隨世習俗,不變欲事,是為依福學也。
又散侍三事,非戒也。何謂三?一者、身歸法;二者、供養法;三、名於同學法。持自有弓分別,無師無所承,自然心好,無所拘礙,名散侍法也。真學功德勝於承法學百倍也,承法功德勝依福百倍也,依福功德百倍勝散侍也,散侍功德勝凡俗百倍也。
凡俗之人或不如畜生,畜生或勝於人。所以者何?人作罪,不止入地獄,罪竟為餓鬼;餓鬼罪竟,轉為畜生;畜生罪竟,乃還為人。畜生中皆畢罪,便得為人。是故人當作善,奉行三尊之教,學上四品之法,長離三惡道,展轉天上,下生人中豪尊,世世受福,德長解脫。
四品學法經
若失威儀一事者,常自學如法,應時自赴誡誨即解。若懈怠不勤者,應退著下座,後有功德乃更復之;若受語不用及犯戒者,應便彈棄莫著眾中,恐敗餘人;若新受法未滿三月者,其有所犯,先不應問也,未習故也。若諸學者,承用此律,上下相檢,乃可至竟,疾成大願。
散侍法
問曰:「若有善男子,欲入正道,欲依大道而不耐戒,當作何行以求福祥?」
師曰:「亦有三事,名散侍法,好可奉。何謂三?一者、身所護法,二者、供養法,三者、於同學法。行此三事,即勝作凡俗時百倍也。
「又散侍身所能法者云何?雖不持戒,當與凡俗小異;遊居之處數就有經道之處,若見世俗所行善者,法之惡者莫用,好言識也,醜語勿名。是為散侍第一法。
「又散侍供養法者,云何當侍三寶?朝夕莫懈,心常歸向,並修經書;若居貧窮無用供養者,當加勤仂,見人福躬親佐助,心代其歡。是為散侍第二法。
「又散侍於同學法者云何?當敬愛其輩無相憍慢,坐起念之,出入參之,如己觀也;若行路者,近則相問,遠當待望,慎莫背忽。是為散侍第三法。」
師曰:「行者三事雖未即度,猶如地多石多草,種雖不好故得少少,以續其時,猶勝不種也。種業不廢,會得好地,所種乃成,收歛有盈;斯亦然矣!行之不休,福德扶持,會受真戒號。」

CBETA Code: T0771

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Copyright: Original texts from CBETA
AI translation for reference only — not authoritative, not a statement of final truth. Awakening of the Dharma requires personal practice.