佛說福力太子因緣經卷第二
The Buddha Speaks of the Causes and Conditions of Prince Blessing-Power, Scroll 2
西天譯經三藏朝奉大夫試光祿卿傳法大師賜紫沙門臣施護等奉 詔譯
Translated by the Tripitaka Master of the Western Regions, Court Official and Dharma Master, with Purple Robe Bestowed, Shi Hu and Others
「復次，福力太子，乃至後時，與彼四兄出遊園苑；而於中路，有無數千針口餓鬼，居山半腹，容貌羸瘦，其猶聚骨，遍身熾焰，鬼眾圍繞人所不見，唯福力太子先覩其狀。而彼餓鬼，合掌居前，白太子言：『汝大福德，有大名稱，是悲愍者。我等飢渴，苦惱所逼，願今餉我，少分飲食。我等宿世，造慳悋因，故此生中，墮餓鬼界，無數千歲，不得水飲，況復於食而可見邪？』時福力太子，仰瞻虛空，即起悲念：『快哉！我今若得天降少分飲食，當用餉此諸餓鬼眾。』是時忽然有多飲食，自天而降。福力太子，即以此食，餉諸餓鬼。彼餓鬼眾，宿業力故，悉不能見，咸作是言：『太子！我昔聞汝是悲愍者，何故今時不以飲食餉於我等？』太子告言：『我以天降飲食，前授汝等，云何于今不取食邪？』餓鬼白言：『太子！我等宿業力故，悉不能見。』時福力太子，復起是念：『愍哉！慳悋是不可愛。』乃作是言：『若諸福報有大力能，以我如是真實語故，令此餓鬼得見飲食，一切隨應皆能取食。』發是言已，彼諸餓鬼，悉能見食，即時各變，面相如人。福力太子，心生歡喜，遂以飲食，恣其所取。彼餓鬼眾，既得食已，頓止飢渴，身力完具，壯實充盛，無醜惡形，乃於福力太子，各起清淨歡喜之意；即時命終，皆得生於兜率天上，旋處空中，白太子言：『太子！我等得生兜率天上，皆由汝之威神建立。』
"Furthermore, Prince Merit Power: In later times, he went out with his four elder brothers to stroll in the gardens. Along the way, there were countless thousands of needle-mouthed hungry ghosts living halfway up a mountain. Their bodies were thin and withered, like a pile of bones, and blazing flames covered their entire bodies. The crowd of ghosts surrounded them, invisible to others—only Prince Merit Power saw them first. Those hungry ghosts joined their palms before him and said to the prince: 'You of great merit and great renown, you are the compassionate one. We are tormented by hunger and thirst, oppressed by suffering. Please now give us even a small portion of food and drink. In past lives we created the cause of stinginess, and so in this life we have fallen into the realm of hungry ghosts. For countless thousands of years we have not obtained even water to drink—how much less could food ever be seen?'
Then Prince Merit Power looked up into the sky and gave rise to compassionate thought: 'How wonderful! If I could now obtain even a small portion of food and drink sent down from the heavens, I would give it to this assembly of hungry ghosts.' At that moment, suddenly much food and drink rained down from the sky. Prince Merit Power then offered this food to the hungry ghosts. But because of the power of their past karma, that assembly of hungry ghosts could not see any of it, and they all said: 'Prince! We have heard before that you are the compassionate one. Why now do you not give food and drink to us?' The prince told them: 'I have had food and drink descend from the heavens and have offered it to you all—why do you not take and eat it now?' The hungry ghosts replied: 'Prince! Because of the power of our past karma, we cannot see any of it.'
Then Prince Merit Power gave rise to this thought again: 'How pitiful! Stinginess is truly undesirable.' So he spoke these words: 'If there is great power in merit and its rewards, then by the truth of these my words, let these hungry ghosts be able to see the food and drink, and let them all be able to take and eat as they wish.' After he spoke these words, all those hungry ghosts could see the food. Instantly each of them transformed, their faces becoming like those of humans. Prince Merit Power rejoiced, and gave them the food and drink to take freely as they pleased. When that assembly of hungry ghosts had eaten, their hunger and thirst immediately ceased. Their bodies became complete in strength, sturdy and full, without any ugly or repulsive form. Then toward Prince Merit Power, each of them gave rise to pure and joyful thoughts. At that very moment they died and were all reborn in the Tushita Heaven. Soon after, they stood in the sky and said to the prince: 'Prince! We have been reborn in the Tushita Heaven entirely through the power and support of your majesty.'"
「福力太子，聞此妙善語已，深大慶悅，即時前進詣園林中，與彼諸兄，共會議言：『世間人眾，何所修作，多獲義利？』彼色相具足者言：『今此世間色相行業，若人修作，多獲義利。何故知邪？謂若有人，他昔未見，見即歡喜；昔未信重，見已信重。如我往昔，師尊仙人，亦作是說，若有具足妙色相者，為人所喜，妙色可觀，瞻奉愛樂；猶如智人，樂最上法，設諸供養。』
The prince of abundant merit, having heard these wonderful and wholesome words, was greatly delighted. He immediately went forward to the garden and spoke together with his brothers in council: "What should people in this world cultivate that brings the greatest benefit?"
The one endowed with perfect physical beauty said: "In this world, the practice of cultivating physical beauty brings the greatest benefit. How do we know this? When someone sees another whom they have never seen before, they are immediately pleased. When they had no trust or respect before, upon seeing that person they develop trust and respect. In the past, my venerable teacher, the sage, also said this: If someone is endowed with wonderful physical appearance, they are beloved by others. Their beauty is pleasing to behold, and people honor, serve, and love them—just as a wise person delights in the highest Dharma and makes all kinds of offerings."
「復次，精進具足者言：『非修色相多獲義利！今此應知，精進行業，若人修作，多獲義利。何以故？雖修色相，而無精進，豈能現世及他世中，獲可意果？或謂色相多獲義利者，彼是愚人，癡見所覆。如我所說，精進行業，於現世中能成可意果者，謂猶農夫植種，商賈獲利，仕者受祿，學人通教，修習禪定，得輕安果，皆為現世精進所成諸可意果。又此精進，於他世中能成可意果者，謂生善趣及生天界，大富自在，現證解脫，皆為他世精進所成諸可意果。由此一切功德，皆以精進而為依止。又此精進，能治怯弱，若運精進，無有少法而難成者。』
"Furthermore, one who is fully diligent says: 'It is not by cultivating outward appearances that one gains great benefit! Here one should understand: it is the practice of diligence that brings great benefit when cultivated. Why is this? Even if one cultivates outward appearances but lacks diligence, how could one obtain desirable results in this life or the next? If someone claims that outward appearances bring great benefit, that person is a fool, shrouded by deluded views. As I have said, the practice of diligence produces desirable results in this life—just as a farmer plants seeds, a merchant earns profit, an official receives salary, a student masters teachings, and one who practices meditation attains the fruit of ease and comfort. All these are desirable results in this life achieved through diligence. Furthermore, diligence produces desirable results in the next life—such as being born in a good realm or in the heavens, enjoying great wealth and freedom, and realizing liberation directly. All these are desirable results in the next life achieved through diligence. Therefore, all merits are grounded in diligence. Moreover, this diligence can remedy cowardice. If one applies diligence, there is no teaching whatsoever that is difficult to accomplish.'"
「復次，工巧具足者言：『汝諸仁者，雖復多種所說，而實不能稱可我心。何以故？所有精進，若無工巧，而終不能現有所成；若復精進同工巧作，乃能如實所作現成。是故應知，工巧行業，若人修作，多獲義利。又復具工巧者，若王、若臣，若沙門、婆羅門，諸長者等，乃至下族中人，及諸工巧之者，悉來供獻。』
「復次，智慧具足者言：『汝等當知，人所修作，多獲義利者，且非色相，亦非精進，又非工巧。何以故？所觀色相，若無智慧，雖復相似而不淨妙。所起精進，若無智慧，雖得義利而無有成。所作工巧，若無智慧，雖復營修不能攝持。是故應知，智慧能成一切事業，若人修作，多獲義利。又此智慧，能得色相，能成工巧，能發精進，能獲人中一切妙樂。』
「爾時福力太子，熙怡瞻視具智慧者，而謂之言：『如是，如是！汝言真實。所有色相、工巧、精進，若無智慧，不能多獲義利。故知智慧普能攝持諸如實果。仁者！然此智慧若無福力，諸有所作，亦不得成。是故實知，若人修福，多獲義利。何以故？福是純一果，福為光澤果，福為可意果，福是適悅果。如是福果，我不能盡說其功德，今為汝等，使開覺故，於福門中，說一少分，汝等善聽。由有福故，能獲色相，福具精進，福得吉祥亦獲大富，福具智慧，福能歌詠正法功德，福具聰利，福遊正道，福生上族，福得宿念，福具名稱，福圓戒行，福能布施，福力常得諸根不壞，福常快樂，有福常受智者所供，福完諸力，福常會遇善友知識，福力能作一切事業——謂若耕植田里，或復商賈求利少施其功大獲積集，富盛自在。有福即能於思念間，虛空自然雨其衣服飲食珍寶，一切具足，隨受快樂。福獲可意妙好舍宅；福於現世，及於他生，常得姝麗、妻女、眷屬及財穀等。福者所行之地，自然無其荊棘沙礫，住立平穩；福者亦獲廣大身相；若有患人，福者手所觸時，病隨輕差；又復福者隨觸於人，即能出彼飲食、衣服、珍寶、財穀，給用無盡；福者常得天龍夜叉羅剎鬼等隨處衛護，其猶雨時護苗稼神守護亦然。福者常得多人尊重愛樂；福有善譽，福為人讚。福常能具諸善法分；福者語言人所信順；福者常得光澤可愛；福者常出微妙梵音；福者身胑自然柔軟；福者常發妙善語言；福者常值良友智人不壞眷屬；福者無病；福者為人所愛；福獲財利；福者勇猛。又大福者，得為人王，無不具足，離諸疾病；福者常得富盛不壞；福者獲得轉輪伏藏，七寶具足；福者能於虛空中行；福者威光與日月等；福者得成月天；福者得成日天；福者得成梵王；福者得成帝釋；福者能於天宮樓閣中行，如彼天子；福者有大力勢，如阿修羅王；福者常生善趣；福者捨離惡趣；福者常獲最極難得悅意妙華；福者所作成就；福者能為世間作諸照明；福者常得天、人、阿修羅等正信供養。』
「太子說是諸福事時，四兄異見，修作不同，於是太子，又復言曰：『我今欲與諸兄潛適他國，隨所住處，證驗其事。為當色相人多修邪？或復精進、工巧、智慧福力人多修邪？』是時四兄，聞其言已，悉隨所行，不復告白父王，即適他國。
「入一國已，易其裝飾，各求棲止。時色相具足者，以妙色故，人所瞻覩，皆生悅意，隨獲富盛，受用資養。精進具足者，以勇力故，能有所取；而忽見一迅流大河，深廣可怖，中有極大旃檀香樹，彼精進者，取得其樹，貨易獲利，而成富盛，受用資養。工巧具足者，以工巧力，隨作諸事，由獲富盛，受用資養。智慧具足者，以巧智故，能解勝怨，復能親附有財力者，悅可其意令生歡喜，隨獲衣飾及財寶等，如所快樂，受用資養。
「爾時福力太子，隨自勝福大威德力，周行施作利益福事。一日忽過貧人之舍，乃入其中，以彼太子福威力故，是舍忽有廣大吉祥勝相出現，金寶財穀，周匝充盈。時彼貧人，見已驚怪歡喜，思念：『此如是事，昔所未有，由何所起？從何所來？豈非此人來我舍中，是其威力之所致邪？』又念：『我昔極受貧苦，今獲勝利，一切豐盈，必由是人來此所致，使我舍中吉祥相現。此人大福，有大名稱，宜應於彼尊重供養。』由是尊奉，相續無間。太子於其貧人舍中，致諸富盛，令快樂已，乃至後時，遍流聲譽：『某甲舍中，昔甚貧匱，有一異人，來入其舍，彼威力故，是舍忽然吉祥相現。』諸人聞已，於福力太子咸生信重，俱共讚言：『奇哉！勝福，有大力能。』又以太子福威力故，於彼方處，華樹果樹，開敷結實，時令不愆，遍灑甘雨，種子生成，而得滋茂。時諸人眾，於福力太子，深生愛樂，俱來瞻仰。
「是時太子，為諸來者普攝其心，故作是念：『快哉！今時我此舍中，可能獲得一切珍寶，種種樂具，及諸妙巧悅意等物，給所來者使令具足。』發是心時，應念即現諸珍寶等，皆悉豐盈。時諸人眾，驚異歎言：『奇哉！大福，為甘美果。』乃於太子咸生尊重。是時太子，即為諸人，如其所應，以四攝法，平等攝持，悉令和合，所謂同一布施、愛語、利行、同事。由是名稱普聞一切國邑聚落。
「乃至後時，太子漸次到一國中，見其國王治罰一人善醫業者，勅彼獄官，破其身胑，斷截手足。流血既多，楚毒苦惱，是時被治罰人見太子已，發大苦聲，啼泣告言：『仁者！救我。仁者！救我。』太子即時惻愴斯事，乃自思惟：『我今作何方便救此人苦？』由是念間，忽生智解，如我所有施作福力世間現見。作是念已，悲心內激，即破自身，多出其血，授彼令飲，苦惱得除。太子又見手足已斷甚大苦惱，即取利刀斷己手足，置於彼人手足斷處。是時太子觀察虛空，普於一切有情隨起慈心，即發廣大真實願言：『我於此生，曾無少分不善之業，若我所說為真實者，願令此人手足斷處，即於今時支節相合，平復如故。』發是言已，彼人即時支節相合，身體完具，平復如故。太子見已，意願圓滿，即作是念：『我以勤勇，所作得成，出自身血，救此人苦。斷自手足，續其支節。又以真實大誓願力，使彼身命全復如故。願我以此最上善根，成就阿耨多羅三藐三菩提果，當以法味授於彼人，畢竟令住安樂涅槃。』發是願時，一切大地六種震動，帝釋天宮亦復震警。
「爾時帝釋天主，即自思惟：『此何事相？』而復觀察，乃見福力太子作彼最上極難行事，歡喜歎異。又念：『今此大威德者，作是難事，何所求邪？我今宜往證驗其故。』即變婆羅門相自天而降，住太子前告言：『太子！我向見汝斷自手足，何所為邪？』太子答言：『仁者！他有苦惱，即我苦惱；若他快樂，即我快樂。故我向者見一被治罰人，甚大苦惱，我時乃以真實力故，棄捨自身手足支分，填續其人所斷割處，願力真誠，彼獲如故。』
「是時帝釋天主，愈生歎異，即復本形，告太子言：『汝今豈非以不實心，或異所求，或退轉故，捨自身邪？』太子白言：『天主！我所棄捨自身手足，無不實心，亦無異求，又非退轉。』帝釋復言：『汝若然者，云何使我證知是事。』太子白言：『天主！汝豈不聞，如我所作，皆真實力。』太子即於一切有情，隨起慈心，觀察四方以實願力，說伽陀曰：
「『若我所言是真實， 貪愛自身為纏縛；
真實不退轉今時， 願我此身即如故。』
「說是伽陀已，太子身胑即獲如故。由是空中遍雨天華，奏天微妙可愛音樂，和風徐起，現諸瑞相。
佛說福力太子因緣經卷第二