長者賢護品第一之一
Chapter 1: The Venerable and Wise Protectors, Part 1
如是我聞：
Thus I have heard:
一時世尊在舍衛國坐夏安居滿三月已，出行訪其裁製成辦衣服之者，與大苾芻眾千二百五十人俱，并餘苾芻、苾芻尼、優婆塞、優婆夷、國王大臣、沙門、婆羅門、長者及諸外道，乃至天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽等，於佛世尊尊重恭信志誠供養——世尊受世供利與世福田——所謂飲食衣服、坐臥之具、病緣醫藥及餘廣多受用等物。以佛世尊名稱善譽殊勝高顯超出世間，如來、應供、正等正覺、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊十號具足。於天人阿修羅、沙門婆羅門、若魔若梵一切世間大眾之中，以自通力而證聖果，隨所遊止宣說正法，初善中善後善，文義深遠純一無雜，圓滿清白梵行之相。
Once, the World-Honored One had completed the three-month summer retreat in the country of Shravasti. Afterward, He set out to visit those who had prepared and finished making His robes. He traveled with a large community of twelve hundred and fifty monks, along with other monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, kings, ministers, ascetics, Brahmins, elders, and various followers of other paths—even gods, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, and others. All of them deeply respected, trusted, and sincerely made offerings to the Buddha, the World-Honored One.
The World-Honored One accepted the offerings of the world and served as a field of merit for the world. These offerings included food, drink, clothing, bedding, seats, medicine for illness, and many other necessities. Because of the Buddha’s excellent reputation, virtuous fame, and supreme eminence, He shone brilliantly beyond the world. He was the Tathagata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, endowed with clear understanding and perfect conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Supreme Being, the Tamer of beings, the Teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One—possessing all ten epithets. Among gods, humans, asuras, ascetics, Brahmins, maras, and Brahmas—among all beings in the world—He attained the holy fruit through His own transcendent power. Wherever He traveled and stayed, He proclaimed the true Dharma. The teaching is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end; its meaning is profound, its expression pure, unmixed, complete, and spotless, embodying the path of the holy life.
爾時世尊徐緩而至摩伽陀國，次第經行至王舍大城，到已止於鷲峯山中。是時王舍城中有一長者其名賢護，宿植善本，於先佛所廣作佛事，具大財富廣多主宰受用之物，積以金銀財穀庫藏，增集摩尼真珠硨磲、珊瑚吠瑠璃等，及諸象馬牛羊、奴婢侍從并營作人。時賢護長者聞沙門瞿曇從王宮出淨信出家，與大苾芻眾千二百五十人俱，經遊摩伽陀國，次第至於王舍大城，止其鷲峯山中。而彼沙門瞿曇，具足廣大色相功德，名稱善譽超出世間，成正覺果如來、應供、正等正覺、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊，隨其所應宣說正法，初善中善後善，文義深遠純一無雜，圓滿清白梵行之相。長者即作是念：「我今宜應詣彼沙門瞿曇之所親近瞻禮。彼佛、如來、應供、正等正覺，色相功德斯為甚善。」時賢護長者作是念已，即與五百長者俱，出王舍大城詣佛瞻禮。
At that time, the World-Honored One calmly made his way to the kingdom of Magadha, traveling step by step until he reached the great city of Rajagriha. Once there, he stayed on Vulture Peak Mountain. In the city of Rajagriha, there lived a wealthy elder named Bhadrapala. He had planted wholesome roots in past lives, performed many meritorious deeds in the presence of previous Buddhas, and possessed great wealth and all manner of possessions. He had abundant stores of gold, silver, grain, and treasures, along with precious gems such as pearls, conch shells, corals, and lapis lazuli. He also owned elephants, horses, cattle, sheep, as well as numerous servants, attendants, and workers.
At that time, the elder Bhadrapala heard that the ascetic Gautama, having left the royal palace with pure faith to become a monk, was traveling through the kingdom of Magadha with a great assembly of 1,250 monks, gradually arriving at the great city of Rajagriha and residing on Vulture Peak. He also heard that this ascetic Gautama possessed vast and sublime physical qualities and virtues, with a name and reputation exceeding all in the world. He had attained the fruit of true enlightenment: the Thus-Come One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed One, the Tamer of People, the Teacher of Gods and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One. He taught the true Dharma, adapting it appropriately to each person—the beginning was good, the middle was good, and the end was good. The meaning was profound and pure, free from impurity, perfect and clear, embodying the path of pure conduct.
The elder then thought: "I should go and visit this ascetic Gautama, to pay my respects and behold him in person. This Buddha, the Thus-Come One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, with his excellent qualities of form and virtue, is truly good."
Having this thought, the elder Bhadrapala immediately set out with 500 other elders from the great city of Rajagriha to go and pay respects to the Buddha.
爾時世尊日初分時著衣持鉢，與苾芻眾恭信圍繞，入王舍大城次第乞食。而佛世尊威儀嚴肅履步調寂，清淨光明普照世間，進止屈伸端直清淨。時賢護等五百長者遙見世尊徐徐而來，威容相好清淨端嚴，諸根調柔意念寂靜，勝善調伏如大龍王，復類泉流清淨無染。有無數天人大眾導從圍繞，身相巍巍猶紫金色，三十二相八十種好莊嚴具足。天雨眾花廣大殊妙，其所雨花周遍稠密，復有千俱胝葉七寶蓮花隨足而蹈。世尊具足無數百千威儀功德自遠而來。時諸長者於其路左如是見已，於佛世尊深生淨信，以清淨心前詣佛所。到佛所已頭面禮足，肅躬恭信住立佛前。時賢護等五百長者俱白佛言：「世尊瞿曇於大眾中相好增勝！世尊瞿曇於大眾中威德增勝！世尊瞿曇於大眾中名稱增勝！世尊瞿曇於大眾中光明增勝！世尊瞿曇真金色相最上增勝！世尊身相如古金仙！世尊身相妙無等等！世尊諸相具希有法！世尊瞿曇一切世間無與等者！我見世尊具足如是威相功德，以何緣故捨家出家？」
At that time, in the early morning, the World-Honored One put on his robe, took his bowl, and surrounded by a reverent assembly of monks, entered the great city of Rajagriha to beg for alms in due order. The Buddha's dignified demeanor was serene, his steps calm and gentle; a pure, clear light illuminated the entire world. Every movement—advancing, pausing, bending, and stretching—was upright, composed, and pure.
Now, the five hundred elders, led by贤护 (Xianhu), saw the World-Honored One approaching slowly from afar. His majestic countenance was pure and dignified, his senses well-tamed, his thoughts tranquil and still. He was supremely noble and perfectly subdued, like a great dragon king, and again like a pure, flowing spring unstained by impurities. Countless gods and people, forming a great multitude, led and surrounded him. His physical form towered, glowing with the hue of purple gold, adorned with the thirty-two marks of a great being and the eighty excellent characteristics. Heavenly flowers rained down—vast, exquisite, and abundantly thick. Moreover, a thousand million seven-jeweled lotuses rose beneath each step he took. Thus, the World-Honored One, possessed of countless hundreds of thousands of majestic virtues, came from afar.
When the elders saw this by the roadside, they deeply generated pure faith in the World-Honored One. With clear minds, they approached the Buddha's presence. Having arrived, they prostrated themselves, touching their heads to his feet. Then, respectfully and with unified devotion, they stood before the Buddha. At that time,贤护 and the five hundred elders all addressed the Buddha, saying: "World-Honored One, Gautama, your marks and excellences are supremely increased among the assembly! World-Honored One, Gautama, your majestic virtue is supremely increased among the assembly! World-Honored One, Gautama, your renown is supremely increased among the assembly! World-Honored One, Gautama, your light is supremely increased among the assembly! World-Honored One, Gautama, your golden-colored form is supremely excellent! Your physical form is like that of the golden immortals of old! Your physical form is incomparably wonderful! Your excellent marks possess qualities rarely found! World-Honored One, Gautama, there is no one in all the worlds who equals you! We see that you, World-Honored One, are fully endowed with such majestic marks and virtues. For what reason did you leave home and renounce the household life?"
爾時賢護長者即以偈詞而伸讚歎：
At that time, the Elder Xianhu expressed his praise with these verses:
「如我昔聞佛世尊， 名稱吉祥及威德，
最上妙相我今觀， 殊勝光明具如是。
清淨妙好真金相， 金色高勝眾所觀，
離塵無染處眾中， 如眾星中妙月現。
我昔歸命人中尊， 如須彌山極高勝，
猶天妙蓋頂相嚴， 周遍次第而普覆。
頂骨首髮軟復滑， 同彼帝青妙色相，
頸相猶如孔雀王， 右旋宛轉而柔軟，
額廣平正復潔白， 雙眉猶如帝釋弓，
眉間毫相淨復明， 如星中王善照曜，
兩目善妙喜愛相， 覩者咸生歡悅意，
諦觀不起厭足心， 頂禮世尊清淨目。
我覩人中尊鼻相， 隆高修直如金山，
唇如琥珀類頻婆， 清淨復如淨珠寶，
齒相明淨復潔白， 如乳如藕及如鴨，
堅牢清淨密復齊， 隨所動轉而善愛，
大小諸齒密不厚， 四牙鋒利而無垢，
猶如鵝王處鵝群， 光瑩清淨白中白。
面如初日淨光照， 赤優鉢羅及銅色，
舌相淨妙而廣長， 遍覆面門悉清淨，
我於天人梵世中， 未嘗見佛妙相好。
耳輪猶如師子王， 具師子相善無畏，
我觀喉相具威德， 善納眾味淨光明。
正直頸項無曲邪， 常得味中之上味，
容儀敦肅而殊妙， 七處平滿世所聞。
最勝吉祥人中尊， 如日光明現峯頂，
七處平滿其所謂， 二手足心及二肩，
一頸平滿七處同， 圓具清淨而明煥。
雙臂修直復𦟛圓， 其猶龍王妙清淨，
無高無下二臂同， 雙垂二臂立過膝。
上半身如師子王， 如尼拘陀身圓滿，
猶那羅延不壞身， 大力忍力皆具足。
身毛上靡而柔軟， 彼一一毛皆右旋，
塵翳不染淨妙身， 譬彼蓮花不著水。
陰藏隱覆而復密， 猶如調善妙馬王，
雙髀其猶軟草同， 雙腨次第而安住。
足跟平滿趺相稱， 手足皆具網鞔相，
復如鵝王指纖長， 手足數周二十指。
手指纖長赤銅甲， 諸指柔毛而下覆，
足下圓具千輻輪， 踝骨不麁而不現。
履步平滿無高下， 行時離地及四指，
世間最勝妙相圓， 按地寶蓮隨足蹈。
世尊行步大無畏， 如師子王無高下，
不遲不速處中平， 遊戲自在無恐畏。
諸天雨眾微妙花， 空中競奏妙音樂，
非人供養啟恭虔， 此佛神通希有相。
色相超越毘沙門， 威光勝踰百千日，
天人魔梵諸眾中， 悉無如是勝功德。
今我內心起疑念， 佛具最上神通力，
復見何等功德門， 故佛出家成聖果？」
As I recall hearing the World-Honored One speak, Your name is auspicious and your virtue majestic.
Now I behold these supreme and wondrous marks, Your extraordinary radiance, so bright and clear.
Your form is pure and beautiful, like true gold, A golden radiance, exalted, seen by all, Untainted by dust, you sit among the assembly, Like the shining moon among stars in the sky.
Long ago I took refuge in the honored one among humans, As Mount Sumeru stands supremely high, Your crown is adorned like a sublime heavenly canopy, Spreading its shelter everywhere in order.
Your cranial bones and hair are soft and smooth, With the blue-tinted beauty of the finest sapphire, Your neck is graceful as a peacock's, Curving gently to the right, soft and supple.
Your forehead is broad, smooth, and pure white, Your eyebrows are like the heavenly king's bow, The white curl between them is pure and brilliant, Shining like the king of stars, radiantly bright.
Your two eyes are beautiful and loving, All who see them feel joyful delight, Gazing long without ever growing weary, I bow to the World-Honored One's pure eyes.
I observe the nose of this honored one among humans, Lofty, straight, and high, like a golden mountain, His lips are like coral or a bimba fruit, Pure and clean as a flawless precious jewel.
His teeth are bright and pure, white and clean, Like milk, lotus root, or a duck's white sheen, Firm, clean, dense, and evenly aligned, Lovely in every movement they are seen.
The large and small teeth are dense, not thick, The four canines are sharp and free from stain, Like the king of swans among his flock, Radiant and pure, most white among the white.
His face is like the morning sun's pure glow, Red as a scarlet lotus or copper's hue, His tongue is pure, fine, long and broad, Covering his entire face, all pure and true.
Among gods and humans, in the Brahma realm, I have never seen such wondrous, excellent marks.
His ear lobes are like a lion-king's, With a lion's form, fearless and complete, I see his throat, majestic and virtuous, Receiving all flavors, pure and bright.
His neck is straight, without twist or bend, Always tasting the finest of all tastes, His bearing is dignified, sublime and rare, His seven parts are full, as all declare.
The most excellent, auspicious honored one among humans, Like sunlight shining from a mountain peak, His seven full parts—as recorded— Are the soles and palms of hands and feet, Both shoulders and neck are full and the same, All perfectly pure and brilliantly aflame.
His arms are long, round, and straight, Pure and fine, like a dragon-king, Neither raised nor low, his two arms match, Both hanging down, reaching past his knees.
His upper body is like a lion-king, Full and rounded like the nyagrodha tree, Like the indestructible body of Narayana, Endowed with great strength and patience.
The hairs on his body are soft, turning upward, Each single hair curling to the right, No dust or grime stains this pure and wondrous form, Like a lotus that water cannot wet.
His male organ is hidden and concealed, Like a well-trained, excellent stallion.
His thighs are soft as tender grass, His calves are placed in perfect order.
His heels are full, his arches matching well, His hands and feet are webbed like a net, His fingers are long, like a swan-king's, Both hands and feet count twenty digits.
His fingers are long with coppery nails, Fine hair on the fingers, pointing downward, His soles are marked with a thousand-spoked wheel, His ankle bones are not rough nor prominent.
His steps are level, without high or low, When walking, they lift four finger-breadths off the ground, The most excellent wondrous marks in all the world— As he walks, jewel lotuses rise beneath each step.
The World-Honored One walks with great fearlessness, Like a lion-king, without unevenness, Neither slow nor fast, but in the middle way, Moving with freedom, without fear or dread.
Gods rain down myriad wondrous flowers, In the air, they play delightful music, Non-humans make offerings with reverence and faith— These are the rare and miraculous signs of the Buddha.
His form surpasses that of Vaishravana, His majesty outshines a hundred thousand suns, Among all the gods, humans, maras, and Brahmas, None possess such excellent virtue as this.
Now a question arises in my heart: The Buddha possesses supreme miraculous power— What other gate of merit does he still see, That he has left home, seeking saintly fruit?
爾時世尊告賢護等諸長者言：「諸長者！我見十種諸嬈亂法世間合集，斯苦甚大。何等為十？一者生為嬈亂，二者老為嬈亂，三者病為嬈亂，四者死為嬈亂，五者憂為嬈亂，六者悲為嬈亂，七者苦為嬈亂，八者煩惱為嬈亂，九者愁歎為嬈亂，十者輪迴為嬈亂。如是十種諸嬈亂法世間合集，我見是已，是故我乃淨信出家，趣證阿耨多羅三藐三菩提果。」
爾時世尊欲重宣此義而說偈言：
「諸愚夫異生， 輪迴網羈絆，
生嬈亂愁歎， 老病旋逼逐，
憂悲故苦惱， 死法來吞食；
若救度出離， 解脫三有網。
「復次長者！瞋之一法互相損害世間合集，斯苦甚大。損害有十。何等為十？一者以我心故，過去已作諸損害事。二者生起思念，現在今作諸損害事。三者生起思念，未來當作諸損害事。四者我所愛者生起思念，而不已作諸損害事。五者我所愛者生起思念，而不今作諸損害事。六者我所愛者生起思念，而不當作諸損害事。七者非我愛者生起思念，過去已作諸損害事。八者非我愛者生起思念，現在今作諸損害事。九者非我愛者生起思念，未來當作諸損害事。十者生起思念，作無義利損害過失。如是十種諸損害事世間合集，我見是已，為令離彼諸損害故，是故我乃淨信出家，趣證阿耨多羅三藐三菩提果。」
爾時世尊重說偈言：
「眾生瞋最大， 各各互相害，
已現當損害， 成十損害事。
愛者不生害， 已作及當作，
現作亦復然， 不成損害法，
於我非友愛， 作諸損害事，
已現當亦然， 生損害罪業，
并無義過失， 十損害纏縛。
我見損害法， 乃淨信出家。
「復次長者！種種見中諸險惡見世間合集，斯苦甚大。險惡見者有其十種。何等為十？一者於我見中起險惡見，二者眾生見中起險惡見，三者壽者見中起險惡見，四者於人見中起險惡見，五者於斷見中起險惡見，六者於常見中起險惡見，七者無作見中起險惡見，八者無因見中起險惡見，九者不平等見中起險惡見，十者於邪見中起險惡見。如是十種諸險惡見，我見是已，為欲普令破諸見故，是故我乃淨信出家，趣證阿耨多羅三藐三菩提果。」
爾時世尊重說偈言：
「我人眾生見， 壽者見亦然，
諸愚夫異生， 險惡見所覆。
斷常及無作， 邪無因不平，
令安立正見， 是故我出家。
我於阿僧祇， 那庾多百千，
俱胝劫數中， 為眾生利樂。
「復次長者！有大病箭世間合集，斯苦甚大。大病箭者有其十種。何等為十？一者愛箭，二者無明箭，三者欲箭，四者貪箭，五者瞋箭，六者癡箭，七者慢箭，八者見箭，九者成箭，十者壞箭。如是十種諸大病箭，我欲普令悉得拔除，是故我乃淨信出家，趣證阿耨多羅三藐三菩提果。」
爾時世尊重說偈言：
「愛箭故貪積， 無智故暗冥，
無明癡暗覆， 旋趣於他蘊；
欲箭隨射激， 貪箭故吞食，
瞋箭起昏迷， 癡箭都所覆；
見箭起違背， 慢成壞亦然，
諸愚夫異生， 乃互相毀呰。
此妄此真實， 互相興違諍，
破世間病箭， 唯佛無生法。
世間諸眾生， 常為箭所射，
為救護拔除， 悉令離諸苦。
佛說大乘菩薩藏正法經卷第一