尊婆須蜜菩薩所集論序
Preface to the Treatise Compiled by the Bodhisattva Vasumitra
婆須蜜菩薩大士，次繼彌勒作佛，名師子如來也。從釋迦文降生鞞提國，為大婆羅門梵摩渝子，厥名欝多羅。父命觀佛，尋侍四月，具覩相表威變容止，還白所見。父得不還已，出家學，改字婆須蜜。佛般涅槃後，遊教周妬國槃奈園，高才蓋世，奔逸絕塵。撰集斯經焉，別七品為一揵度，盡十二揵度；其所集也，後四品一揵度，訓釋佛偈也，凡十一品十四揵度也。該羅深廣，與阿毘曇並興外國。傍通大乘，持明盡漏，博涉十法，百行之能事畢矣。尋之𣾘然，猶滄海之無崖，可不謂之廣乎！陟之瞠爾，猶崑岳之無頂，可不謂之高乎！寶渚極目，厭夜光之珍；巖岫舉睫，厭天智之玉。懿乎富也，何過此經！外國昇高座者，未墜於地也。集斯經已入三昧定，如彈指頃神昇兜術。彌妬路、彌妬路刀利及僧迦羅剎，適彼天宮，斯二三君子，皆次補處人也。彌妬路刀利者，光炎如來也。僧迦羅剎者，柔仁佛也。茲四大士集乎一堂，對揚權智，賢聖默然，洋洋盈耳不亦樂乎。
The Bodhisattva Great Being Vasumitra will succeed Maitreya and become a Buddha named Lion Tathagata. He descended from Shakyamuni's lineage, born in the Videha kingdom as the son of the great Brahmin Brahmayu, named Uttara. His father instructed him to observe the Buddha. For four months he attended the Buddha, fully witnessing his majestic features, transformations, and dignified bearing. Upon returning, he reported what he had seen. After his father attained the stage of non-returner, he left home to study and changed his name to Vasumitra.
After the Buddha's parinirvana, he traveled to teach in the kingdom of Chuda, at the Pana garden. His supreme talent overshadowed the world, swift and peerless. He compiled this sutra, dividing it into seven sections as one Khandhaka, completing twelve Khandhakas in total. What he compiled includes the latter four sections as one Khandhaka, which explains and interprets the Buddha's verses. Altogether, there are eleven sections and fourteen Khandhakas. Its coverage is profound and vast, flourishing in foreign lands alongside the Abhidharma. It also connects with the Mahayana, upholding the teachings to exhaust defilements, extensively encompassing the ten dharmas, completing all aspects of the hundred practices.
To explore it is like gazing upon the boundless sea—can it not be called vast? To ascend it is like staring at the summitless Kunlun Mountains—can it not be called lofty? The treasure island stretches to the horizon, satiating one with night-shining pearls; the mountain ridges rise before one's eyes, satiating one with heavenly wisdom jade. How magnificent its richness! What surpasses this sutra? In foreign lands, those who ascend the high seat to teach it have not yet fallen to the ground.
After compiling this sutra, he entered samadhi, and in a snap of the fingers, his spirit ascended to the Tushita heaven. Maitreya, Maitreya's disciple Dori, and Sangharaksha went to that celestial palace. These two or three noble ones are all destined to be successive Buddhas. Maitreya's disciple Dori will be the Buddha Blazing Light. Sangharaksha will be the Buddha Gentle Benevolence. These four great beings gathered in one hall, exchanging dialogues on skillful means and wisdom. The sages and saints listened in silent agreement, their ears filled with profound teachings—is this not a joy?
罽賓沙門僧伽跋澄，以秦建元二十年，持此經一部來詣長安。武威太守趙政文業者，學不厭士也，求令出之。佛念譯傳，跋澄、難陀、禘婆三人執胡文，慧嵩筆受。以三月五日出，至七月十三日乃訖。胡本十二千首盧也。余與法和對校修飾，武威少多潤色。此經說三乘為九品，持善修行。以正觀逕，十六最悉。每尋上人之高韻，未甞不忘意味也。恨闚數仞之門晚，懼不悉其宗廟之美、百官之富矣。
The monk Saṅghabhūti from Jibin brought this scripture to Chang'an in the twentieth year of the Jianyuan era of the Qin dynasty. Zhao Zheng, the governor of Wuwei, a scholar of unwavering dedication, requested that it be translated. Buddhamati translated and transmitted the text, while Saṅghabhūti, Nanda, and Jīva held the original foreign-language manuscript, and Huisong recorded the translation. The work began on the fifth day of the third month and was completed on the thirteenth day of the seventh month. The original text comprised twelve thousand ślokas. I, together with Fahe, collated and refined the translation, with minor stylistic adjustments by the governor of Wuwei. This scripture explains the three vehicles as nine grades, emphasizing virtuous practice and correct contemplation, with sixteen essential points in all. Whenever I reflect on the profound teachings of the sages, I am always moved by their profound meaning. I regret that I came to this profound teaching late, and I fear I may not fully grasp the splendor of its hallowed halls and the richness of its manifold truths.
尊婆須蜜菩薩所集論卷第一
尊婆須蜜造
符秦罽賓三藏僧伽跋澄等譯
Translated by Saṅghabhūti and Others, Tripiṭaka Masters from Jibin, during the Fu Qin Dynasty