思益梵天所問經卷第一
Sutra of the Questions of Brahma Vishnu, Volume 1
姚秦龜茲國三藏鳩摩羅什譯
Translated by Kumarajiva, Tripitaka Master of Yaoqin, Kucha
序品第一
Chapter 1: The Prologue
如是我聞：
Thus have I heard:
一時佛住王舍城迦蘭陀竹林，與大比丘僧六萬四千人俱。菩薩摩訶薩七萬二千人，皆眾所知識，得陀羅尼無礙辯才及諸三昧，於諸神通無所罣礙，善能曉了諸法實性，悉皆逮得無生法忍。
Thus I have heard: At one time, the Buddha was staying in the Bamboo Grove of Kalanda, near Rajagaha, together with a great assembly of sixty-four thousand senior monks. Also present were seventy-two thousand great bodhisattvas, all well known and respected. They had attained mental mastery, eloquence without obstruction, and deep states of meditative absorption. They were unimpeded in the spiritual powers, clearly understood the true nature of all things, and had all realized the acceptance that no phenomena arise independently.
其名曰：文殊師利法王子、寶手法王子、寶積法王子、寶印手法王子、寶德法王子、虛空藏法王子、發心轉法輪法王子、網明法王子、障諸煩惱法王子、能捨一切法法王子、德藏法王子、花嚴法王子、師子法王子、月光法王子、尊意法王子、善莊嚴法王子，及跋陀婆羅等十六賢士：跋陀婆羅菩薩、寶積菩薩、星德菩薩、帝天菩薩、水天菩薩、善力菩薩、大意菩薩、殊勝意菩薩、增意菩薩、善發意菩薩、不虛見菩薩、不休息菩薩、不少意菩薩、導師菩薩、日藏菩薩、持地菩薩，如是等菩薩摩訶薩七萬二千人。
Their names were: Manjushri, the Dharma Prince; Ratnapāṇi, the Dharma Prince; Ratnakūṭa, the Dharma Prince; Ratnamudrāhasta, the Dharma Prince; Ratnaguṇa, the Dharma Prince; Ākāśagarbha, the Dharma Prince; Dharmacakrapravartana, the Dharma Prince; Jālinīprabha, the Dharma Prince; Sarvakleśavighātana, the Dharma Prince; Sarvatyāga, the Dharma Prince; Guṇākara, the Dharma Prince; Kusumitaḷa, the Dharma Prince; Siṃha, the Dharma Prince; Candraprabha, the Dharma Prince; Manaḥsamādhi, the Dharma Prince; Suvarṇavyūha, the Dharma Prince; and the sixteen worthy sages, beginning with Bhadrapāla: Bhadrapāla Bodhisattva, Ratnakūṭa Bodhisattva, Nakṣatratejas Bodhisattva, Indradeva Bodhisattva, Varuṇadeva Bodhisattva, Bhadraśrī Bodhisattva, Mahāmati Bodhisattva, Viśeṣamati Bodhisattva, Adhimātra Bodhisattva, Sucinti Bodhisattva, Amoghadarśin Bodhisattva, Anikṣiptadhura Bodhisattva, Alpamati Bodhisattva, Sarvanetr Bodhisattva, Sūryagarbha Bodhisattva, and Dharaṇīdhara Bodhisattva. There were seventy-two thousand such great bodhisattvas.
及四天王釋提桓因等，忉利諸天、夜摩天、兜率陀天、化樂天、他化自在天，及梵王等諸梵天；并餘無量諸天龍、鬼神、夜叉、犍闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽，人與非人普皆來集。
The Four Heavenly Kings, Śakra Devānām Indra, the gods of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, the Yāma Heaven, the Tuṣita Heaven, the Nirmāṇarati Heaven, and the Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven, along with Brahmā and the other Brahma-realm gods—all were present. Countless other beings also gathered, including dragons, spirits, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, humans, and non-humans alike.
爾時世尊，大眾恭敬圍遶而為說法。於時網明菩薩即從坐起，偏袒右肩、右膝著地，頭面禮佛足，合掌向佛，動此三千大千世界引導起發一切大眾，而白佛言：「世尊！我欲從佛少有所問，若佛聽者乃敢諮請。」
At that time, the World-Honored One was surrounded by a respectful multitude and was teaching the Dharma. Then Bodhisattva Net-light rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt on his right knee, and bowed his head to the Buddha's feet. Pressing his palms together toward the Buddha, he caused this entire great trichiliocosm to tremble, guiding and inspiring the whole assembly. He then addressed the Buddha: "World-Honored One, I wish to ask the Buddha a few questions. If the Buddha permits, I would dare to inquire."
佛告網明：「恣汝所問，當為解說悅可爾心。」
The Buddha said to Wangming, "Ask whatever you wish. I will explain it for you and bring joy to your heart."
於是網明既蒙聽許，心大歡喜，即白佛言：「世尊！如來身相超百千萬日月光明；我自惟念：『若有眾生能見佛身，甚為希有！』我復惟念：『若有眾生能見佛身，皆是如來威神之力！』」
Then, having received permission, Wangming was filled with great joy and said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! The appearance of the Tathagata's body surpasses the light of a million suns and moons. I think to myself: 'How rare it is that any sentient being can see the Buddha's body!' And I further reflect: 'If any sentient being is able to see the Buddha's body, it is entirely through the majestic power of the Tathagata!'"
佛告網明：「如是，如是！如汝所言，若佛不加威神，眾生無有能見佛身，亦無能問。網明當知！如來有光，名寂莊嚴，若有眾生遇斯光者，能見佛身不壞眼根；又如來光名無畏辯，若有眾生遇斯光者，能問如來其辯無盡；又如來光名集諸善根，若有眾生遇斯光者，能問如來轉輪聖王行業因緣；又如來光名淨莊嚴，若有眾生遇斯光者，能問如來天帝釋行業因緣；又如來光名得自在，若有眾生遇斯光者，能問如來梵天王行業因緣；又如來光名離煩惱，若有眾生遇斯光者，能問如來聲聞乘所行之道；又如來光名善遠離，若有眾生遇斯光者，能問如來辟支佛所行之道；又如來光名益一切智，若有眾生遇斯光者，能問如來大乘佛事；又如來光名為往益，佛來去時足下光明，眾生遇者命終生天；又如來光名一切莊嚴，若佛入城放斯光明，眾生遇者得歡喜樂，一切嚴飾之具莊嚴其城，城中寶藏從地踊出；又如來光名曰震動，佛以此光能動無量無邊世界；又如來光名曰生樂，佛以此光能滅地獄眾生苦惱；又如來光名曰上慈，佛以此光能令畜生不相惱害；又如來光名曰涼樂，佛以此光能滅餓鬼饑渴熱惱；又如來光名曰明淨，佛以此光使盲者得視；又如來光名曰聰聽，佛以此光能令眾生聾者得聽；又如來光名曰慚愧，佛以此光能令眾生狂者得正；又如來光名曰止息，佛以此光能令眾生捨十不善道，安住十善道；又如來光名曰離惡，佛以此光能令邪見眾生皆得正見；又如來光名曰能捨，佛以此光能破眾生慳貪之心，令行布施；又如來光名無惱熱，佛以此光能令毀禁眾生皆得持戒；又如來光名曰安利，佛以此光能令瞋恨眾生皆行忍辱；又如來光名曰勤修，佛以此光能令懈怠眾生皆行精進；又如來光名曰一心，佛以此光能令妄念眾生皆得禪定；又如來光名曰能解，佛以此光能令愚癡眾生皆得智慧；又如來光名曰清淨，佛以此光能令不信眾生皆得淨信；又如來光名曰能持，佛以此光能令少聞眾生皆得多聞；又如來光名曰威儀，佛以此光能令無慚眾生皆得慚愧；又如來光名曰安隱，佛以此光能令多欲眾生斷除婬欲；又如來光名曰歡喜，佛以此光能令多怒眾生斷除瞋恚；又如來光名曰照明，佛以此光能令多癡眾生斷除愚癡；又如來光名曰遍行，佛以此光能令等分眾生斷除等分；又如來光名示一切色，佛以此光能令眾生皆見佛身無量種色。網明當知！如來若以一劫、若減一劫，說此光明力用名號不可窮盡。」
The Buddha said to Netlight, "Exactly so, exactly so. As you say, without the Buddhas' spiritual power, no sentient being could see the Buddha's body or ask questions. Netlight, you should know that the Thus-Come One possesses a light called 'Adornment of Stillness.' Whoever encounters this light can see the Buddha's body without harm to their eyes. There is also a light called 'Fearless Eloquence.' Whoever encounters it can question the Thus-Come One with endless eloquence. There is a light called 'Gathering Good Roots.' Whoever encounters it can ask about the causes and conditions of a Wheel-Turning Sage King's deeds. There is a light called 'Pure Adornment.' Whoever encounters it can ask about the causes and conditions of the Lord of Gods. There is a light called 'Attaining Freedom.' Whoever encounters it can ask about the causes and conditions of the Brahma King. There is a light called 'Leaving Afflictions.' Whoever encounters it can ask about the path of the Hearers. There is a light called 'Skillful Detachment.' Whoever encounters it can ask about the path of the Solitary Realizers. There is a light called 'Benefiting All Wisdom.' Whoever encounters it can ask about the Buddha-work of the Great Vehicle. There is a light called 'Going with Benefit.' The light beneath the Buddha's feet when he comes or goes ensures that those who encounter it will be reborn in heaven at death. There is a light called 'All-Pervading Adornment.' When the Buddha enters a city radiating this light, sentient beings encountering it experience joy and happiness. All kinds of adornments decorate the city, and treasures spring up from the ground. There is a light called 'Shaking.' With it, the Buddha can move countless worlds. There is a light called 'Bringing Joy.' With it, the Buddha can eliminate the suffering of beings in hell. There is a light called 'Supreme Compassion.' With it, the Buddha can prevent animals from harming one another. There is a light called 'Cooling Happiness.' With it, the Buddha can relieve the hunger, thirst, and torment of hungry ghosts. There is a light called 'Bright Purity.' With it, the Buddha can enable the blind to see. There is a light called 'Acute Hearing.' With it, the Buddha can enable the deaf to hear. There is a light called 'Sense of Shame.' With it, the Buddha can bring sanity to the mad. There is a light called 'Stopping and Resting.' With it, the Buddha can lead beings to abandon the ten unwholesome deeds and abide in the ten wholesome deeds. There is a light called 'Leaving Evil.' With it, the Buddha can lead those with wrong views to right views. There is a light called 'Ability to Let Go.' With it, the Buddha can break miserly hearts and inspire generosity. There is a light called 'No Torment.' With it, the Buddha can lead those who break precepts to uphold them. There is a light called 'Peace and Benefit.' With it, the Buddha can lead angry beings to practice patience. There is a light called 'Diligent Practice.' With it, the Buddha can lead lazy beings to practice effort. There is a light called 'One-Pointed Mind.' With it, the Buddha can lead distracted beings to attain meditation. There is a light called 'Ability to Understand.' With it, the Buddha can lead foolish beings to attain wisdom. There is a light called 'Purity.' With it, the Buddha can lead those without faith to attain pure faith. There is a light called 'Ability to Retain.' With it, the Buddha can lead those with little learning to become broadly learned. There is a light called 'Dignified Conduct.' With it, the Buddha can lead shameless beings to acquire shame. There is a light called 'Security.' With it, the Buddha can lead lustful beings to cut off desire. There is a light called 'Joy.' With it, the Buddha can lead angry beings to cut off hatred. There is a light called 'Illumination.' With it, the Buddha can lead ignorant beings to cut off delusion. There is a light called 'Universal Practice.' With it, the Buddha can lead beings of mixed dispositions to break free from their imbalances. There is a light called 'Displaying All Forms.' With it, the Buddha can cause beings to see his body in countless colors. Netlight, you should know that even if the Thus-Come One spoke for an eon or less, he could never finish describing the power and names of these lights."
爾時網明菩薩白佛言：「未曾有也。世尊！如來身者即是無量無邊光明之藏，說法方便亦不可思議。世尊！我自昔來未曾聞此光明名號；如我解佛所說義，若有菩薩聞斯光明名號，信心清淨，皆得如是光明之身。世尊！惟願今日放請菩薩光，令他方菩薩善能問難者見斯光已，發心來此娑婆世界。」
At that time, the Bodhisattva Net Bright said to the Buddha: "How remarkable, World-Honored One! The body of the Tathagata is itself an immeasurable and boundless treasury of light, and his skillful means in teaching the Dharma are also inconceivable. World-Honored One, I have never before heard the name of this light in all my past. As I understand the meaning of the Buddha's words, if a bodhisattva hears the name of this light and has pure faith, they will all attain a body of such light. World-Honored One, I respectfully ask that today you release the light for the bodhisattvas, so that the bodhisattvas in other lands who are skilled in asking difficult questions may see this light, conceive the aspiration, and come to this Saha world."
爾時世尊受網明菩薩請已，即放光明照此三千大千世界，普及十方無量佛土。於是諸方無量百千萬億菩薩見斯光已，皆來至此娑婆世界。
At that time, the World-Honored One, having accepted the request of Bodhisattva Net Light, then emitted a brilliant light that illuminated this entire trichiliocosm, reaching out to countless buddha-lands in all ten directions. When the immeasurable hundreds of thousands of millions of bodhisattvas in those directions saw this light, they all came to this Saha World.
爾時東方過七十二恒河沙佛土，有國名清潔，佛號日月光如來、應供、正遍知，今現在其佛土。有菩薩梵天，名曰思益，住不退轉。見此光已，到日月光佛所，頭面作禮，白佛言：「世尊！我欲詣娑婆世界釋迦牟尼佛所，奉見供養，親近諮受；彼佛亦復欲見我等。」其佛告言：「便往，梵天！今正是時！彼娑婆國有若干千億諸菩薩集，汝應以此十法遊於彼土。何等為十？於毀於譽，心無增減；聞善聞惡，心無分別；於諸愚智，等以悲心；於上、中、下眾生之類，意常平等；於輕毀供養，心無有二；於他闕失，不見其過；見種種乘，皆是一乘；聞三惡道，亦勿驚畏；於諸菩薩，生如來想；佛出五濁，生希有想。梵天！汝當以此十法遊彼世界。」
At that time, eastward across Buddha realms numbering seventy-two times the sands of the Ganges River, there was a land called Pure and Clean. The Buddha of that realm was named Sun-Moon-Light Thus Come One, Worthy of Offerings, All-Knowing, and he was presently teaching in his Buddha land. There was a bodhisattva of pure conduct named Simhanada, who had attained the stage of non-retrogression. Upon seeing this light, he went before the Buddha Sun-Moon-Light, prostrated himself at his feet, and said: "World-Honored One, I wish to go to the Saha world to see and pay homage to Shakyamuni Buddha, to draw near to him and receive his teachings. That Buddha also wishes to see us."
The Buddha replied: "Go now, pure one, for this is the very time. In that Saha land, many thousands of billions of bodhisattvas are gathered. You should travel to that world by relying on these ten principles. What are the ten? One: Being criticized or praised, the mind does not increase or decrease. Two: Hearing good or evil, the mind makes no distinction. Three: Toward the ignorant and the wise, treat them equally with compassion. Four: Toward beings of high, middle, and low status, always maintain an equal mind. Five: In the face of contempt or offerings, the mind remains unified. Six: In others' faults and shortcomings, do not see their errors. Seven: See all different vehicles as being one single vehicle. Eight: Hearing of the three unfortunate realms, do not be afraid or alarmed. Nine: Regarding all bodhisattvas, see them as you would see a Buddha. Ten: That a Buddha appears in the five turbidities, consider it a rare and precious occurrence. O pure one! Travel to that world bearing these ten principles in mind."
思益梵天白佛言：「世尊！我不敢於如來前作師子吼，我所能行佛自知之。今當以此十法遊彼世界，一心修行。」
爾時日月光佛國有諸菩薩白其佛言：「世尊！我得大利，不生如是惡眾生中。」其佛告言：「善男子，勿作是語！所以者何？若菩薩於此國中百千億劫淨修梵行，不如彼土從旦至食無瞋礙心，其福為勝。」
At that time, in the land of the Buddha of Sun and Moon Light, many bodhisattvas said to their Buddha: "World-Honored One, we have gained great benefit, for we were not born among such evil beings." The Buddha told them: "Good men, do not say such things! Why? If a bodhisattva in this land practices pure conduct for hundreds of thousands of eons, it is not as good as one who, in that land, from dawn until the morning meal, maintains a mind free of anger and hindrances. The merit from this is far greater."
即時有萬二千菩薩與思益梵天俱共發來，而作是言：「我等亦欲以此十法遊彼世界，見釋迦牟尼佛。」於是思益梵天與萬二千菩薩俱於彼佛土忽然不現，譬如壯士屈伸臂頃，到娑婆世界釋迦牟尼佛所，却住一面。
At that moment, twelve thousand bodhisattvas, together with the Brahman god Sih, came forth and said, "We also wish to journey to that world with these ten teachings and pay homage to Shakyamuni Buddha." Then, in the blink of an eye—just as a strong person might stretch and bend their arm—the Brahman god Sih and the twelve thousand bodhisattvas vanished from their Buddha land and arrived before Shakyamuni Buddha in the Saha world, where they stood to one side.
爾時佛告網明菩薩：「汝見是思益梵天不？」
「唯然！已見。」
"Yes, I have seen it."
「網明當知！思益梵天於諸正問菩薩中為最第一，於諸善分別諸法菩薩中為最第一，於諸說隨宜經意菩薩中為最第一，於諸慈心菩薩中為最第一，於諸悲心菩薩中為最第一，於諸喜心菩薩中為最第一，於諸捨心菩薩中為最第一，於諸軟語菩薩中為最第一，於諸不瞋礙菩薩中為最第一，於諸先意問訊菩薩中為最第一，於諸決疑菩薩中為最第一。」
"Net Light, you should know! Among all Bodhisattvas who ask proper questions, Sihui Brahma is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who skillfully discern and explain various teachings, he is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who expound the scriptures according to what is appropriate, he is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who embody loving-kindness, he is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who embody compassion, he is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who embody empathetic joy, he is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who embody equanimity, he is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who speak gentle words, he is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who are free from anger and obstruction, he is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who take the initiative to greet and care for others, he is the foremost. Among all Bodhisattvas who resolve doubts, he is the foremost."
爾時思益梵天與萬二千菩薩俱，頭面禮佛足，右遶三匝，合掌向佛，以偈讚曰：
At that time, the Brahma god Sīha and twelve thousand bodhisattvas together bowed their heads to the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times to the right, and with palms joined, facing the Buddha, praised him in verse:
「世尊大名稱， 普聞於十方，
所在諸如來， 無不稱歎者。
有諸餘淨國， 無三惡道名，
捨如是妙土， 慈悲故生此。
佛智無減少， 與諸如來等，
以大慈本願， 處斯穢惡土。
若人於淨國， 持戒滿一劫，
此土須臾間， 行慈為最勝。
若人於此土， 起身口意罪，
應墮三惡道， 現世受得除。
生此土菩薩， 不應懷憂怖，
設有惡道罪， 頭痛即得除。
此土諸菩薩， 若能守護法，
世世所生處， 不失於正念。
若人欲斷縛， 滅煩惱業罪，
於此土護法， 增益一切智。
淨土多億劫， 受持法解說，
於此娑婆界， 從旦至食勝。
我見喜樂國， 及見安樂土，
此中無苦惱， 亦無苦惱名。
於彼作功德， 未足以為奇，
於此煩惱處， 能忍不可事，
亦教他此法， 其福為最勝。
我禮無上尊， 大悲救苦者，
能為惡眾生， 說法為甚難。
佛集無量眾， 十方世界中，
名聞諸菩薩， 聽法無厭足。
佛集十方界， 名聞諸菩薩，
聽法無厭足， 如海吞眾流。
為如是等人， 廣說於佛道，
釋梵四天王， 諸天龍神等，
皆集欲求法， 隨所信樂說。
比丘比丘尼， 及清信士女，
是四眾普集， 願時為演說。
有樂佛乘者， 及緣覺聲聞，
佛知其深心， 悉皆為斷疑。
不斷佛種者， 能出生三寶，
為是諸菩薩， 我今請法王。
名稱普流布， 十方菩薩聞，
皆悉共來集， 為說無上道。
此無上大法， 二乘所不及，
我等信力故， 得入如是法，
不可思議慧， 非我等所及。
佛雖無疲倦， 而我有所請，
悔過於世尊， 願說菩提道。」
"The World-Honored One's great name resounds throughout the ten directions. Every Thus-Come One in all lands praises Him without exception. There are other pure lands where even the names of the three lower realms do not exist. Yet, setting aside such splendid realms, He was born here out of compassion. The Buddha's wisdom is undiminished, equal to all Thus-Come Ones. Through His great compassionate original vows, He resides in this impure and defiled world.
If someone in a pure land observes the precepts for an entire kalpa, it is still excelled by practicing compassion here for even a moment. If someone in this world commits sins of body, speech, or mind that would lead to the three lower realms, they can be cleared through repentance in this very life. Bodhisattvas born in this world should not harbor fear or anxiety. Even if they have karmic debts leading to the lower realms, a mere headache can dissolve such offenses.
Bodhisattvas in this land who uphold the Dharma will never lose right mindfulness in life after life. If one wishes to sever bonds, extinguish afflictions, and purify karmic offenses, upholding the Dharma here enhances all wisdom. Practicing and explaining the Dharma for countless eons in a pure land is surpassed by doing so from dawn to mealtime in this Saha world.
I see lands of joy and lands of peace, where suffering and even the name of suffering do not exist. Performing meritorious deeds there is not so remarkable. But here, amid afflictions, enduring what is difficult to endure, and teaching others this path—such merit is supreme.
I bow to the unsurpassed Honored One, the Great Compassionate Savior of the suffering. Teaching the Dharma to wicked beings is exceedingly difficult. The Buddha gathers countless multitudes from worlds throughout the ten directions. Renowned Bodhisattvas come to hear the Dharma without ever tiring, like the ocean swallowing countless rivers.
For such beings, He extensively expounds the Buddha-path. Lord Shakra, Brahma, the Four Heavenly Kings, devas, dragons, and spirits all gather seeking the Dharma, and He teaches according to their faith and inclination. Monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen—the fourfold assembly—gather together, hoping He will preach.
Some delight in the Buddha vehicle, others in pratyekabuddha or shravaka paths. The Buddha knows their deepest thoughts and resolves all their doubts. For those who uphold the Buddha lineage and give rise to the Three Jewels, I now petition the Dharma King on behalf of such Bodhisattvas.
His name flows universally; Bodhisattvas in the ten directions hear it and all gather together, seeking the unsurpassed path. This supreme great Dharma is beyond the reach of the two lesser vehicles. Through the power of our faith, we enter into this teaching. Its inconceivable wisdom is beyond our grasp. Though the Buddha never tires, I humbly make this request, confessing before the World-Honored One, and ask Him to teach the path of enlightenment."