四法品第二
Chapter 2: Four Dharmas
爾時思益梵天說此偈已，白佛言：「世尊！何謂菩薩其心堅固而無疲倦？何謂菩薩所言決定而不中悔？何謂菩薩增長善根？何謂菩薩無所恐畏威儀不動？何謂菩薩成就白法？何謂菩薩善知從一地至一地？何謂菩薩於眾生中善知方便？何謂菩薩善化眾生？何謂菩薩世世不失菩提之心？何謂菩薩能一其心而無雜行？何謂菩薩善求法寶？何謂菩薩善出毀禁之罪？何謂菩薩善障煩惱？何謂菩薩善入諸大眾？何謂菩薩善開法施？何謂菩薩得先因力不失善根？何謂菩薩不由他教而能自行六波羅蜜？何謂菩薩能轉捨禪定還生欲界？何謂菩薩於諸佛法得不退轉？何謂菩薩不斷佛種？」
At that time, the Brahma God of Thought, having spoken these verses, said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, what is meant by a bodhisattva whose mind is firm and untiring? What is meant by a bodhisattva whose words are decisive and without regret? What is meant by a bodhisattva who grows wholesome roots? What is meant by a bodhisattva who is fearless and whose demeanor is unwavering? What is meant by a bodhisattva who accomplishes pure qualities? What is meant by a bodhisattva who skillfully knows how to progress from one stage to the next? What is meant by a bodhisattva who skillfully uses means in dealing with beings? What is meant by a bodhisattva who skillfully transforms beings? What is meant by a bodhisattva who never loses the mind of awakening from life to life? What is meant by a bodhisattva who can unify the mind and engage in no mixed practices? What is meant by a bodhisattva who skillfully seeks the dharma treasure? What is meant by a bodhisattva who skillfully emerges from the offense of breaking precepts? What is meant by a bodhisattva who skillfully blocks afflictions? What is meant by a bodhisattva who skillfully enters into great assemblies? What is meant by a bodhisattva who skillfully opens the gift of dharma? What is meant by a bodhisattva who, through the power of prior causes, does not lose wholesome roots? What is meant by a bodhisattva who can practice the six perfections on their own without needing instruction from others? What is meant by a bodhisattva who can abandon meditation and be reborn in the realm of desire? What is meant by a bodhisattva who attains non-retrogression in the dharmas of the buddhas? What is meant by a bodhisattva who never cuts off the seed of the buddhas?"
爾時世尊讚思益梵天：「善哉，善哉！能問如來如此之事。汝今諦聽，善思念之！」
At that time, the World-Honored One praised Brahma deity Simha: "Excellent, excellent! You have asked the Tathagata about such matters. Now listen carefully and reflect well upon this."
「唯然，世尊！願樂欲聞。」
"Yes, indeed, World Honored One. We are glad and eager to hear it."
佛告思益梵天：「菩薩有四法，堅固其心而不疲倦。何等四？一者，於諸眾生起大悲心；二者，精進不懈；三者，信解生死如夢；四者，正思量佛之智慧。菩薩有此四法，堅固其心而不疲倦。
The Buddha said to the Brahma Lord of the Pure-Hearted: "There are four practices that allow a bodhisattva to strengthen their resolve without growing weary. What are these four? First, to cultivate great compassion for all beings. Second, to maintain diligent effort without slackening. Third, to clearly understand that birth and death are like a dream. Fourth, to properly contemplate the wisdom of a Buddha. A bodhisattva who follows these four practices can steady their heart and never feel exhausted."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，所言決定而不中悔。何等四？一者，決定說諸法無我；二者，決定說諸生處無可樂者；三者，決定常讚大乘；四者，決定說罪福業不失。是為四。
“Brahma! A bodhisattva has four practices that enable them to speak with certainty without later regret. What are these four? First, they speak with certainty that all phenomena have no fixed self. Second, they speak with certainty that no place of rebirth is truly enjoyable. Third, they constantly praise the Great Vehicle with certainty. Fourth, they speak with certainty that the effects of virtuous and unvirtuous actions are never lost. These are the four practices.”
「梵天！菩薩有四法增長善根。何等為四？一者，持戒；二者，多聞；三者，布施；四者，出家。是為四。
"Brahma! There are four ways for a Bodhisattva to cultivate wholesome roots. What are these four? First, observing precepts; second, seeking knowledge; third, practicing generosity; fourth, renouncing worldly life. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，無所恐畏、威儀不轉。何等四？一者，失利；二者，惡名；三者，毀辱；四者，苦惱。是為四。
"Brahma! A bodhisattva has four practices that enable them to be fearless and unwavering in their conduct. What are these four? First, loss; second, a bad reputation; third, slander and humiliation; fourth, suffering and distress. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，成就白法。何等四？一者，教人令信罪福；二者，布施不求果報；三者，守護正法；四者，以智慧教諸菩薩。是為四。
"Brahma! Bodhisattvas who follow four practices accumulate wholesome qualities. What are these four? First, teaching others to believe in the law of cause and effect through actions and their consequences. Second, giving without seeking any personal reward in return. Third, safeguarding and upholding true teachings. Fourth, teaching all bodhisattvas with wisdom. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，善知從一地至一地。何等四？一者，久殖善根；二者，離諸過咎；三者，善知方便迴向；四者，勤行精進。是為四。
"Brahma! A bodhisattva has four methods to skillfully progress from one stage to the next. What are these four? First, cultivating wholesome roots over a long time; second, abandoning all faults and transgressions; third, skillfully knowing how to dedicate merits through skillful means; fourth, diligently practicing with perseverance. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，善知方便。何等四？一者，順眾生意；二者，於他功德起隨喜心；三者，悔過除罪；四者，勸請諸佛。是為四。
"Brahma! A bodhisattva has four ways to skillfully know expedient means. What are these four? First, to go along with the intentions of sentient beings; second, to rejoice in the virtues of others; third, to repent and eliminate transgressions; fourth, to sincerely request the buddhas to teach. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法善化眾生。何等四？一者，常求利安眾生；二者，自捨己樂；三者，心和忍辱；四者，除捨憍慢。是為四。
"Brahma! A bodhisattva skillfully transforms sentient beings through four methods. What are these four? First, always seek to benefit and bring peace to beings. Second, willingly give up your own happiness for others. Third, maintain a peaceful mind and practice patience. Fourth, let go of pride and arrogance. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，世世不失菩提之心。何等四？一者，常憶念佛；二者，所作功德常為菩提；三者，親近善知識；四者，稱揚大乘。是為四。
"Brahma! There are four practices by which a bodhisattva never loses the aspiration for enlightenment in life after life. What are these four? First, always recollecting the Buddha; Second, always dedicating all meritorious deeds to enlightenment; Third, associating with wise spiritual friends; Fourth, praising and promoting the Great Vehicle. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，能一其心而無雜行。何等四？一者，離聲聞心；二者，離辟支佛心；三者，求法無厭；四者，如所聞法廣為人說。是為四。
"Brahma! A bodhisattva has four practices that bring the mind to unity and free it from scattered activity. What are these four? First, to turn away from the mind-set of a disciple (śrāvaka). Second, to turn away from the mind-set of a solitary buddha (pratyekabuddha). Third, to seek the Dharma without ever being satisfied. Fourth, to widely teach others the Dharma as it has been heard. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，善求法寶。何等四？一者，於法中生寶想，以難得故；二者，於法中生藥想，療眾病故；三者，於法中生財利想，以不失故；四者，於法中生滅一切苦想，至涅槃故。是為四。
"Brahma! There are four ways in which a Bodhisattva skillfully seeks the Dharma treasure. What are these four? First, regarding the Dharma, one sees it as a treasure because it is difficult to obtain; second, regarding the Dharma, one sees it as medicine because it cures all afflictions; third, regarding the Dharma, one sees it as wealth because it will never be lost; fourth, regarding the Dharma, one sees it as the end of all suffering because it leads to Nirvana. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，善出毀禁之罪。何等四？一者，得無生法忍，以諸法無來故；二者，得無滅忍，以諸法無去故；三者，得因緣忍，知諸法因緣生故；四者，得無住忍，無異心相續故。是為四。
"Brahma! A bodhisattva has four methods to skillfully transcend the offenses of breaking precepts. What are these four? First, they attain the patience of non-arising, because all phenomena have no coming; second, they attain the patience of non-ceasing, because all phenomena have no going; third, they attain the patience of dependent origination, knowing that all phenomena arise from causes and conditions; fourth, they attain the patience of non-abiding, because there is no continuity of a separate mind. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，善障煩惱。何等四？一者，正憶念；二者，障諸根；三者，得善法力；四者，獨處遠離。是為四。
「梵天！菩薩有四法，善入諸大眾。何等四？一者，求法，不求勝；二者，恭敬，心無憍慢；三者，惟求法利，不自顯現；四者，教人善法，不求名利。是為四。
「梵天！菩薩有四法，善開法施。何等四？一者，守護於法；二者，自益智慧亦益他人；三者，行善人法；四者，示人垢淨。是為四。
「梵天！菩薩有四法得先因力不失善根，何等四？一者，見他人闕不以為過；二者，於瞋怒人常修慈心；三者，常說諸法因緣；四者，常念菩提。是為四。
"Brahma! A bodhisattva has four practices that strengthen their original resolve and prevent them from losing their virtuous roots. What are these four? First, seeing others' shortcomings without dwelling on their faults. Second, maintaining a compassionate heart even toward those who are angry. Third, always explaining that all things arise from causes and conditions. Fourth, constantly keeping enlightenment in mind. These are the four."
「梵天！菩薩有四法，不由他教而能自行六波羅蜜。何等四？一者，以施導人；二者，不說他人毀禁之罪；三者，善知攝法，教化眾生；四者，解達深法。是為四。
「梵天！菩薩有四法，能轉捨禪定，還生欲界。何等四？一者，其心柔軟；二者，得諸根力；三者，不捨一切眾生；四者，善修智慧方便之力。是為四。
「梵天！菩薩有四法，於諸佛法得不退轉。何等四？一者，受無量生死；二者，供養無量諸佛；三者，修行無量慈心；四者，信解無量佛慧。是為四。
「梵天！菩薩有四法，不斷佛種。何等四？一者，不退本願；二者，言必施行；三者，大欲精進；四者，深心行於佛道。是為菩薩有四法不斷佛種。」
說是諸四法時，二萬二千天及人皆發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心；五千人得無生法忍。十方諸來菩薩供養於佛，所散天花周遍三千大千世界，積至于膝。